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the break,” Caleb admitted,
closing his hands over his face. “I was just going to ask Deb to grab me a
sandwich from the deli. You want anything?”
    “No, I’m good, thanks.” Drake claimed one
of the guest chairs across from Caleb. “I just wanted to find out how things
went with Elle last night.”
    “It was good.” Feeling uncomfortable under
Drake’s inspection, Caleb crossed the office to retrieve two bottles of water
from his mini fridge. He tossed one to Drake. “Why do you ask? You were
expecting problems?”
    “No, not at all.” Before uncapping his
bottle, Drake said, “Evan Spencer called me this morning. He said he met you at
the club last night.”
    “Yeah, we met.” Caleb didn’t know where
Drake was going, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t like it. “What about it?”
    “He said he got the feeling you were into
Elle. Is that true?”
    Caleb wasn’t surprised Drake was on to him.
He just expected to have more time to prepare his defense. “Elle’s got a lot
going for her. She’s talented, smart, sexy, and successful. We’re both single.
Are you surprised there’s some chemistry between us?”
    Drake smiled. “No. I was kind of hoping
there would be. I think you’re exactly the kind of guy Elle needs. Someone
solid to keep her grounded when things seem too overwhelming.”
    Caleb didn’t like to think of himself as
just temporarily helping her through a rough time, but he had no problem
supporting her when she needed a strong shoulder to lean on. He thought about
their good-night kiss, the one that had made him want to carry her into her
bedroom and lock the door. “I don’t know where things are going with Elle, but
I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
    “Did she open up to you about what’s been
going on with her?”
    “Some. We talked a bit about her career and
her estrangement from her family. We also talked about places we’ve both been
and places we’d like to go.” He smiled when he thought about how easily their
conversation and laughter had flowed. He felt as if they’d known each other
forever, and that sense of familiarity convinced him he needed to know more.
    “That’s it?” Drake asked, looking uneasy.
    “I’m sure there’s a lot more she hasn’t
told me, and I’m okay with that. We just met, Drake. I’m not interested in
forcing things. I’m happy to just let things evolve naturally.”
    “If this were a regular relationship, I
might agree that’s the best course of action, but Elle is a musician. She
spends half of her life on the road. Before you know it, she’ll be back out
there, and if you two aren’t on solid ground, she’ll be leaving you behind.”
    Caleb narrowed his eyes. “Were you so
adamant about me taking this assignment because you were hoping Elle and I
would hook up?”
    Drake crossed his ankles and laced his
hands over his stomach, not looking the least bit guilty. “You guys are my
friends. Do I think you’d be great together? Yes. But I really do think you’re
the best person to watch her back the next few months. If it evolves into more,
great. If not, at least I’ll know she’s safe.”
    Now that Caleb knew Elle a little better,
it made him sick to think of anyone harming her, especially on his watch. “You
don’t have to worry about Elle. I’ll take good care of her.”
    “I know you will.” Drake stood. “So she’s
at my brother’s bar tonight. You can take her and stick around, right?”
    “You sent me her schedule. I agreed to the
dates. You don’t have to check in every day to remind me, you know.”
    “I know. I just wanted to find out how
things went last night.”
    “Fine. Are you happy now?”
    “Did you…?” A slow smile spread across
Drake’s face. “Let her know you’re interested?”
    “None of your business.”
    Drake laughed. “Ryan and Evan are throwing
a stag party for one of their buddies tomorrow night. Elle doesn’t have
anywhere to be, so Evan wanted me to invite