“…Cool,” he repeats flatly, looking at me like I’ve just announced I’m joining a cult.

“Yeah! I mean, people get married all the time. Plus, my dad would be thrilled and finally get off my back. Boom. Two birds, one boulder.” I rake a hand through my hair, already picturing the Instagram caption: She said yes.

“I think it’s ‘stone’...”

I snap my fingers. “Right. Stone. I need one.” I scratch the back of my head as I look through my banking information. It’ll be tight but I can definitely swing it.

Tony stares at me like he’s watching a car crash in slow motion. “Are you sure? Because it sounds like you’re spiraling. And if this is just about getting sucked off, don’t you have like fifty girls on your phone who’d line up to blow you?”

I groan again and storm over to the kitchen island, pulling open my MacBook.

Tony bolts up. “Woah, woah, woah—what are you doing?”

I start typing furiously. “Her latest story is tagged in Toronto. If I leave now, I can grab a ring, hop on a flight, and surprise her there. Super romantic.”

“There’s no way this is real life,” Tony mutters.

“There’s a flight at 5 PM tomorrow.” I grin. “Perfect.”

“What about work? You’re not seriously thinking this through.”

“My dad will be overjoyed. He’ll probably pay for the damn flight and give me the week off.”

Tony sighs and leans on the counter, rubbing his temples. “You’re wild, Caleb. Absolutely batshit. But I admire the commitment.”

I smile widely, feeling that burst of adrenaline again. “Watch and learn, young Padawan. I’m about to catch myself a wife.”

8

nathan

Okay, so I might’ve freaked out more than necessary.

I still can’t believe I basically ran away from Sarah the other day at the café. But my head was spinning, and the moment my brain veered towards memories of Caleb, it was like everything inside me froze. I couldn’t think straight—not with his shadow suddenly in the room.

But maybe… maybe she had a point.

I’m twenty-two years old and I’ve never dated anyone but her. She’s been my only experience—ever. And that same person sat across from me and said she didn’t want me anymore. No wonder I panicked.

Without Sarah, I don’t even know who I am. I was nothing before her... and I’m scared I’ll be nothing after.

A voice breaks through my spiral. “Hey, Nathan. Everything okay?”

I jolt slightly in my chair. It’s James, my boss, creeping up behind me with that smile that never quite reaches his eyes.

“Hey, James,” I mumble. “I guess I’m not feeling too great.” I rub my temples in slow circles, trying to push away the ache building behind my eyes.

“Oh no, that’s not good,” he says, stepping in closer. Too close. A second later, I feel his hands on my shoulders, kneading the tension there.

I tense immediately. Is this even allowed? Can he just… not touch me like that?