Chapter 18

Wren's Pov

I looked like I had been run over by a freaking train. I had spent the whole night unhealthily thinking about what it would have been like if Callum had kissed me. And then there had been a side of me that had been angry that I was thinking about him kissing me when I could just have anyone but him.

‘But we don’t want him. Do we?’ my mind taunted. I rolled my eyes, ignoring the thought in my head, forcing my attention on making sure that I lined my eyes with enough eyeliner to hide the fact that I was trying to hide my swollen eyes.

“Good morning, Wren.” I bit back a groan when I pushed the door open; Mr. Brian was already leaning against his door, his eyes on me with that smile that always sends chills down my spine.

“Mr. Brian. Good morning.” I smiled at him.

His eyes took in my form, that twisted smile still on his lips. “You know, you don’t have to call me Mr. Brian; we are neighbours. We can be friends, don’t you think so?” he winked.

In the grave. “Sure.” I locked the door. “I have to go. I am sorry we didn't have the time to stay and chat.” I gave him my best smile.

But this was Brian; he had a way of not taking the hint. He moved closer; his eyes had that gleam, the kind that sends chills through you. “I know. If I didn’t know any better, I would have assumed that you were avoiding me.”

I looked around the hallway, wondering how I was going to get off this. But there was no one around. I could scream, but why was I screaming again? He wasn’t with a knife. My body stiffened when I felt his hand touch my arm.

“We can be good friends. I don’t bite,” he winked. “Except you want me to.”

I shook my head. “No, no. No biting here.” I let out a nervous chuckle.

He was extremely close now. I could smell the stale beer breath. Fuck, didn’t he think mouthwash would have been a good thing? “What do you say, you and me, have a little nightcap when you get back from work?”

What I think is that you should have a shower and a breath mint “I am really late for work; I don’t think I can...”

“Ms Wren?” I knew that voice; I couldn’t help the relief that flowed through me the minute I turned my eyes to meet Callum standing by the end of the hallway with a dark, unreadable look on his face. “Am I interrupting something?”

Brian turned; displeasure evident on his face. “Get lost, dude; we are having a chat.”

I placed my hand on his chest, using his distracted form as my leverage. “Mr. Callum, I didn’t know you would be dropping by this early.” I made a move to walk towards him.

Brain grabbed my hand, pulling me back. “Do you know him?” he asked.

“Yes, he is my boss.” I yanked my hand out of his hold, rushing toward Callum. “Sorry, you should have called. I know that I am...” he wasn’t looking at me; his eyes were on Brian. I could see that glare, the same one he had given Taryn.

“Wren, don’t forget what I said. We should get together soon.” Brian walked back into his house, closing the door with a loud bang.

Callum’s eyes were back on me. “I don’t like being lied to.”

My brow quirked. “I don’t think I understand what you mean?” My voice was low.

“I asked you if you had a boyfriend and you said you didn’t; that didn’t look like you didn’t.” he had that drawl, that low growl that made it feel like he was trying to hold back from screaming at me.

“Brian isn’t my boyfriend. He is my neighbour. A man who...” I shook my head; I wasn’t about to tell Callum about what kind of lie I was living. “Do you need me to do something for you?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

“No. We are going to the office.”

I stared at him; my brows furrowed. “With you?”

“Ms. Wren, do you have another means? You are already ten minutes late; I don’t think you want to risk more time,” he pointed out.

My eyes glanced down to my wristwatch shit, I was late. Later than fucking usual, thanks to Brian. But I couldn’t quite blame him alone. I had spent most of the night thinking about Callum’s unexpected visit.

His gaze softened, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek; I don’t think he knows what his actions do to me. “Are you okay? You look...” his thumb rubbed my cheek as he looked for better words to describe how terrible I looked.

“I am fine.” I pulled away from his touch. “Just one of those rough nights.”

He nodded. “Did your mother reach out to you?” he asked.

I narrowed my eyes. “I am sure if she did, you would know by now, won’t you?” I didn’t want to be sassy, but I wasn’t in the mood to be pushed.

“The car is waiting.” he walked away, didn’t even look behind to see if I was following. I guess he knew that I would follow him.

“Here, I need you to attend to these emails. I want it on my desk before noon.” he handed me the iPad he had been holding.

I looked through the list of things he had given me to handle; there was something about the list; it was relatively shorter than the usual jobs he had given me over the past few days.

“Is this the only thing that I need to do?” I asked.

He cocked his brows. “Do you need me to give you more jobs?” he asked.

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “No. Thank you.”

He didn’t reply, but I saw his lips tug. Maybe working with Callum Vale wouldn’t be that bad.