Chapter 13 - TEN RULES, ONE BROKEN HEART
Caleb asked me to dinner in September.
A real date.
No business.
No investigators.
No hidden documents.
Just dinner.
I wore a blue dress.
He wore a dark suit.
We went to a small Italian restaurant near the river.
He cooked for me the following weekend.
Lasagna.
From scratch.
I inspected the kitchen.
“No frozen cheese?”
He laughed.
“None.”
I tasted the sauce.
Then smiled.
“Rule five.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Passed?”
I nodded.
“Passed.”
Over the following months, Caleb proved himself in ordinary ways.
He arrived when he said he would.
Listened when I disagreed.
Never mocked my work.
And respected every boundary I set.
One evening, we sat in Bellamy Clockworks.
The grandfather clock ticked steadily behind us.
Caleb looked at the napkin pinned beside my desk.
The ten rules.
He smiled.
“Still grading me?”
I laughed.
“Constantly.”
He looked at me.
“And?”
I considered.
Then smiled.
“Improving.”
He laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“Nora.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
My heart stopped.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered:
“Caleb.”
He took my hand.
“You don't have to say it back.”
I stared.
He smiled.
“I just wanted you to know.”
My eyes filled.
May you like
Then I leaned closer.
And kissed him.
