Chasing Red (Chasing Red 1)

“For what?” I whispered back.

A soft, secret smile appeared on his lips. “For showing me something different tonight.”

With that, he walked away.

Chapter Five

Veronica

I was determined that Caleb and I wouldn’t see each other the next morning, so I woke up earlier than usual. No one had ever occupied my thoughts as much as he had last night.

“Thank you for showing me something different tonight.”

What had he meant by that? Did he mean I was different from all the girls he dated? But he was a pro at this. It must be a line he used to make girls fall for him.

I shouldn’t fall for his tricks so easily. Last night I had decided to limit our interactions. I didn’t want him to find out that we attended the same school. The less he knew about me, the better.

I stifled a yawn as I cooked the rest of the eggs I’d found in the fridge.

It was common courtesy to inform him of my schedule, rather than coming and going whenever I wanted. So I’d started leaving sticky notes on the fridge for him. Peeling off a note, I wrote:

Caleb,

Made some eggs for breakfast. We have to get groceries later. I’ll be back after 5.

Veronica

Caleb’s apartment was in the ritzy part of town where there were no bus stops, so I had to walk twenty minutes to reach the closest one. Even then, the bus ride to school took an hour. If I had a car, it would only take half an hour to drive to school.

Summer break was just around the corner. I felt my spirits rise. I could work more hours and earn enough money so I could rent my own apartment and pay back Caleb. I knew he didn’t want or need my money, but it was a point of pride for me to repay him eventually.

My classes were long and boring, and I found myself thinking about him. I pinched myself hard to stop. This was crazy. I had to pull myself together.

It was 5:20 p.m. by the time I returned to his apartment building. I was waiting for the elevator door to open when I felt someone standing beside me. I knew right away it was him. His presence demanded to be acknowledged.

Looking up, I caught him watching me with amused eyes and his usual smile.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.” I trained my eyes on the elevator door.

I could still feel his eyes on me.

The elevator doors opened. I stepped forward.

“Wait.”

I turned. Why was my heart beating so fast?

“Want to go get those groceries now?”

No. I don’t want to spend more time with you. I don’t want you to look at me with those intense green eyes.

Instead I said, “Sure.”

“Got my car back from the shop.” He beamed as we walked past the concierge. “Parked out front.”