Free Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) by K.M. Thompson

confesses.
    “I don’t suppose you can get away for a bit?”
    “Sorry, I’ve got Rita’s children till six.”
    “Okay, I’ll send someone to you.”
    “Huh?”
    “A shop assistant and stylist, be ready by seven,” I playfully demand, smiling like a fucking idiot into the phone.
    Once I hang up, I take a few breaths—I will not get myself this riled up over a girl. I call Macy’s and ask them to send someone over to SJ’s with a selection of evening dresses, shoes, and accessories. After giving them a rough profile of her, I ask if they know any good hair and make-up stylist and she is also now on her way to SJ’s.
    I then call Taberna Del Alabardero and thanks to the power of money, secure us a secluded table that any other person would have had to wait a year for.
    I pull up at SJ’s in a sleek black limo. I decided that if I’m going to dress her up and take her out, I might as well do it in style. With a bouquet of pink and white calla lilies in hand, I knock on her door. I can’t believe how nervous I am, but then again, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date with someone I actually want to go out with and not just have sex with. When SJ opens the door, I’m speechless. She is wearing the most innocent and elegant dress that still manages to look goddamn sexy. It clings to her in all the right places.
    “Do I look okay?” she asks nervously. She’s wearing a Betsy and Adams, black floor length dress, tight fitting all the way down. It has a high neck line and capped sleeves made from lace, with ruffling detail down the side. She’s wearing black heels and a black beaded bracelet, so understated yet so perfect. Even her hair is quaint, pulled back into a simple high bun.
    “You look...” I start, trying to find the perfect word.
    “I don’t know whether your silence is a good thing or bad,” she says hesitantly.
    “Good, definitely good,” I manage, handing her the flowers and offering my arm. “Shall we?”
    “Yes, one moment,” she says and unsteadily walks back into her apartment, placing the flowers in a sink of water and saying goodbye to her children and Rita. “I’m ready.”
    I open the door and help her into the limo. She hasn’t said a word about it and now I’m worrying about the same thing she did—is her silence a good thing or bad?
    “You okay?” I ask, trying to break this icy silence.
    “Yeah, sorry it’s a lot to take in,” she responds.
    “First time in a limo?”
    “No, I ride in them every day.”
    Sarcasm seems to be her go to defense mechanism. “What about when you went to prom, isn’t it all about the dress and the limo for a girl?”
    I watch her closely as she wrings her hands in her lap. “I didn’t get to go to prom.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry.”
    “Why are you apologizing?”
    “I mean, for bringing up a subject that obviously hurts you.”
    “It doesn’t hurt me,” she snaps. “I knew I would never go to prom, the twins came before a dress.”
    “Okay, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
    “I’m sorry I snapped. Money has always been tight for as long as I remember. I learned to budget and live on twenty dollars a week with the twins to feed. I get a bit angry when I see money wasted now. I don’t know why, it’s not like it’s my money to worry about.”
    “I get it, I haven’t always had money.” I wince as I say it. I’ve probably always had more than she has. “I’m not trying to compare us, but I do, sort of understand.”
    Her smile puts me at ease, letting me know she’s accepted my apology. “I don’t resent money, it’s greed that gets me.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You for example,” she starts and I get ready to defend myself. “This limo, this dress, it’s what I would call a waste of money, but it was thoughtful of you and I feel like a princess.”
    I love the blush that colors her cheeks. “You’re welcome.”
    “I’m not finished,” she says and looks at me sheepishly. “You’ve