“What’s his name? Do I know him?”
“What does he look like? Is he handsome? Got any photos?”
Peter fired questions at me rapid-fire, stepping closer with each one until he was practically breathing down my neck.
I took a step back, wariness creeping into my voice. “Enough! Peter, what are you doing?”
“This kind of interrogation is not normal.”
1 crossed my arms, studying his face with growing suspicion. “Did Caelan send you to spy on me?’
“Of course not! I’m just… looking out for a friend. Peter’s denial came too quickly. “Oh right, you don’t have to eat with me. Just wait a second.”
He moved to his car’s back seat and carefully retrieved an antique dark wood box.
“This is an apology gift I wanted to give you. I hope you’ll accept it?
I stared at the obviously expensive container. “This looks incredibly valuable. I absolutely cannot accept it.”
“And it’s completely unnecessary. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Sable, please take it. I feel really guilty about the other night.”
I looked directly into Peter’s eyes. “This is from Caelan, isn’t it?”
“I’m telling you clearly-I won’t accept anything from Caelan. We’re completely over. I don’t want any connection with him.”
Peter shook his head frantically. “It really is from me! If you don’t believe me, call Scarlett for confirmation!”
I pulled out my phone and dialed Scarlett’s number, putting it on speaker. “Scarlett, Peter says he wants to give me an apology gift. Do you know about this?”
Scarlett’s voice came through clear and indignant. “Oh yes, it’s from him. Sable, just take it! That bastard Peter deserves to spend the money!”
Her tone grew more righteous. “He took it upon himself to invite Caelan and Elena to our gathering, making you cry. Buying an expensive apology gift is the least he can do! You don’t need to save money for him.”
Although doubt still lingered in my heart, Scarlett’s words made me lower my guard slightly. I accepted the wooden box, feeling its substantial weight.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Caelan’s POV
I claimed the corner table by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The coffee cup sat untouched in front of me, steam long since dissipated.
Through the glass, I watched Sable standing near the hospital’s entrance, deep in conversation with Peter. Even at this distance, I could see how much weight she’d lost.
She’s not eating again. Just like when she was young and her heart hurt.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Mary’s number.
“Mary, I need you to help me with something.”
“Of course, Caelan. What do you need?”
‘I want to have lunch and dinner delivered to Sable every day at the hospital.” I paused, watching Sable disappear around the corner. “But please tell her it’s from you. Don’t mention me.”
The silence stretched so long I thought the call had dropped.
‘Mary?”
“Oh, Caelan…” Her voice broke slightly. “My heart is breaking for both of you. I heard about what happened.”
“I know you’re both hurting, sweetheart. Of course Fll help you. But you need to take care of yourself too.”
“Thank you, Mary
I hung up and rubbed my face with both hands. The caffeine withdrawal headache was getting worse, but I couldn’t bring myself to drink anything. Food tasted like ash. Sleep came in fragments.
The caf? door chimed. Peter slid into the booth across from me, his face relaxed.
“Mission accomplished, boss. Scarlett totally believed I bought the gift myself.”
He settled into his seat and added, “Called her ahead of time and mentioned wanting to get Sable an apology gift. She didn’t suspect anything.”
I managed a heavy “Mm sound while staring out the window toward the now-empty hospital entrance.
Peter studied my face with growing concern.
After a long silence, I spoke. “Peter, I really miss her. I want to see her up close, want to know if she’s okay.”
“This feeling is driving me insane.”
Peter leaned back in his seat, something shifting in his expression. “Wait a minute. I might have an idea.”
He pulled out his phone and scrolled to Scarlett’s number.
“Scarlett, I think Sable looks terrible. Maybe you should take her out for drinks, help her relax.”
Scarlett’s voice exploded through the speaker. “Sable looks terrible because of that bastard Caelan! Heartless piece of shit! Cold- blooded asshole!”
“Cheating garbage! He doesn’t deserve Sable’s love! He should get struck by lightning!”
I sat perfectly still.
Peter quickly hit the mute button on his phone and leaned toward me. “Jesus, if Scarlett knew you were practically getting depression over this, would she still be calling you names? Come on, you’re suffering here too.”
I remained silent.
He unmuted the call and continued speaking to Scarlett.
“Okay, okay. I get that you’re angry. You should call Sable now. I’m really worried about her.”
‘Fine. I’ll ask her out. I’m hanging up now-“
“Wait! Wait! Where are you planning to go?”
“Why do you ask?” Scarlett doubted.
I’m worried about your safety. I’ll come pick you guys up later.” Peter replied calmly.
“That new place downtown. Neon Nights. You know it?
“Got it, but don’t let Sable drink too much.”
I know how to take care of hert
Peter ended the call and snapped his fingers at me.
“Done! Twenty minutes and were heading to Neon Nights.”
Sable’s POV
During the day I can numb myself with work, lose myself in the busy operating room. But at night, missing him crashes over me like a tidal wave.
I feel like I’m just going through the motions-breathing, working, pretending everything’s fine.
When it gets quiet, his voice, his smile, the warmth of his arms all come flooding back, ripping my heart apart all over again.
So when Scarlett called asking me to go drinking, I agreed immediately.
The moment Scarlett pulled me through the doors of Neon Nights, pounding electronic music hit us like a wall. Laser lights cut through the darkness in wild patterns while bodies moved on the dance floor.
Couples clung to each other in dark corners, kissing passionately.
This place felt raw and primal-completely different from the quiet wine bars I usually preferred.
“Let’s sit at the bar!” Scarlett had to shout over the music.
“Whatever.” I had no expression.
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