Page 38 of Always Mine
“That’s for the best. Out of respect for Seth, I shouldn’t just jump into bed with you. Get help and by then I’ll be ready.”
He thought for a minute. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll see Maisy’s brother.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “All right. I said I’d accept that.”
“So, you’ll sleep with me?”
“After you see Caleb.”
“Santa Madre de Dios…”
The doorbell rang and the guard outside opened the door. “Diego, your visitor’s here.” The guard came to the foyer. “Caleb Shepherd.”
“Gracias,amigo.”
The minister wasn’t at all what Diego was expecting. Sandy blond hair, crystal blue eyes, a fit body encased in jeans and white shirt rolled up at the sleeves. “Hello, Lieutenant.”
“Hello.” Diego moved to get up.
“Stay there.”
“Come in and sit down. I already got out some water, but I can make coffee if you’d rather have that.”
“No thanks. I’m avoiding caffeine.” Up close, and in the sunlight coming from all the open windows, Diego could see smudges under those eyes.
When the guy sat, Diego said, “I don’t know how to do this.”
Shepherd’s eyes crinkled. “That’s okay, I do.”
“What do I call you?”
“Caleb. First off, tell me about yourself.”
“I’m a pretty simple guy. I have a great mother and sisters who love me. My dad died when I was thirteen.”
“Did it hurt when you lost him?”
“Yeah, sure. We were close, being the only boys in the family.”
“How did you get over it?”
“Mostly time. But my mother made me tell her what I was feeling. And you didn’t disobeyMadrewhen she got in that mode.”
“Did that help?”
Diego’s gaze narrowed on him. “I see what you’re doing. You’re saying if talking helped then, I should talk about what happened to me two weeks ago.”
“Is that what you think is best?”
“I can’t do it.”
“All right. Continue on with your history.”
“I had a steady girlfriend all during high school and college.”
“Annie Stefano. Maisy’s friend.”
“Uh-huh. We broke up when she graduated.”
