One Step Closer(89)

They were seated and the waiter had just left to retrieve a bottle of expensive Cabernet Macy had chosen from the wine menu.

Caleb’s mind was occupied with about a hundred different things, and he was just going through the motions, but he couldn’t help but be irritated by her presumptive behavior. He wasn’t sure if it was the three hundred dollar bottle of wine, the fact that he didn’t want to be out long enough to drink it, or if he was just so done, that everything she did irritated the shit out of him. If it were the latter, it wasn’t fair, and he knew it.

“I hope you’re thirsty. I’d rather have something stronger.” His tone was wry.

Macy was put off by Caleb’s demeanor. He was clearly agitated. He’d just inherited millions so why did he seem upset? She tried to lighten the mood by smiling beguilingly from across the table. “We’re celebrating!” she said happily. “At least, we should be.’

He huffed, pushing the air out of his lungs with force as his brow furrowed. “Yeah, I just buried my dad today. Yay.”

Macy’s expression sobered. “Caleb, I know that’s the unfortunate part, but it can’t be changed. Why can’t you be grateful for the possibilities? You can start your firm without assuming any debt.”

He shook his head. “I told you that’s on hold. Don’t you listen?” If Macy noticed the muscle working overtime in his prominent jaw, she ignored it.

She laid one of the white linen napkins in her lap. “Why are you so angry? Are you upset that Wren gets half of everything? Is it that you’ll be saddled with her for the next five years? I’ll admit, it’s not ideal—”

“Yeah. It is.” Caleb was interrupted when the waiter came to take their order. He didn’t register what she ordered and he’d barely looked at the menu. “Just give me spaghetti,” he barked shortly.

“With or without meatballs, sir?” The young waiter looked like he was afraid to speak.

“With. Please bring me a glass of MaCallan before the meal.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Caleb, you’re going to have whiskey before the wine?” she admonished.

Caleb leaned back in the booth. “Who said I was having wine at all?”

He could see her physically deflate at his hard tone. “I just thought…” her words dropped off and he felt like an *.

“I’m sorry, Macy. Today’s been a tough day and I’m exhausted.”

“Well, why don’t we have a nice dinner and then I can stay with you tonight?”

Caleb had wanted the distraction of the meal before he began the conversation, but he wasn’t going to let her have any delusions and sugarcoating things never worked to his advantage.

“Look, Macy. I think we both know things have changed. You have your life in San Francisco, and now I have to take over Lux.”

“We can work things out. I don’t have to be in California. There are venture capitalists in Denver, too, or, I don’t have to worry about that. I just want to be where you are.”

He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his thick hair. She wasn’t going to make it easy on him. “That’s crazy. We haven’t known each other that long and even if I wanted to continue things, I wouldn’t ask you to drastically change your life for a relationship that may or may not work out.”

“At least be honest. That’s not the reason, Caleb.” Her eyes were hard and she picked up her wine glass and drank down half of it.

“No, it’s not. I’ve seen a side of you this week that I don’t like.”

Macy audibly sucked in her breath.

“I’m sorry if that’s harsh, but just because my bank account is larger, it doesn’t change who I am. I don’t give a shit about the money or even the business; other than there are people who depend on it, as I’ve already said. It’s like you’re deaf if I don’t say what you want me to say.”

She shook her head adamantly. “That’s not true! I just want you to have your design firm, not give up your life for someone else’s! Lux was your dad’s dream, not yours.”

“No, it was my mother’s, and he worked his ass off to make it happen for her! Until she got sick, and he lost his mind. Then it was about survival and not letting the one thing he had of her die with her. I understand his motivation now.”

Macy’s brow wrinkled as she frowned at him from across the table. “Did you forget about how he treated you? You don’t owe him anything. The company will survive! I was there! I heard your choices, Caleb. Let Wren step up, or let the board do it and be a silent partner.”

“I didn’t forget a damn thing!” Anger was building up inside him and the compassion he felt for ending things was quickly evaporating. “I’m not going to take the chance something happens to Lux, and I will never ask Wren to quit the ballet!”

Macy’s eyes glassed over as she stared at Caleb. “No, you’ll never ask little Wren to give up anything. Just give me up, give up the life we could have! I won’t let you make me the sacrifice, Caleb!”

A couple at the next table glanced at them due to the raise in their voices.

“Keep your voice down,” he commanded. His tone was firm, but he turned his volume down.

Caleb was ready to throw his napkin on the table and stalk out when the waiter brought his drink and sat it down in front of him, then picked up the open wine bottle setting on the table and refilled Macy’s glass. “Your dinner will be out very soon.”