Haunted Read Online Free PDF Page A

nerve?”
    “Excuse me?” Caleb asked, hoping he’d
misread the question. “You’re not implying that I’m using Elle, are you?”
    Evan smirked. “I know you run a successful
company, Caleb. I did my research when Drake told me he’d suggested you
accompany Elle tonight. I wasn’t trying to imply you’re after Elle’s money or
trying to ride her coattails to success.”
    “Good, because that’s the last thing on my
mind. I don’t care who Elle is or how many zeroes are on her bank statement. I
like spending time with her, and I’m here with her because I choose to be. End
of story.”
    “Glad to hear you say that. I feel better
with someone like you watching her back. It’s not easy to get close to Elle.
She’s guarded, even more so lately. I think it has something to do with the
ex-boyfriend, but whenever I ask her about it, she tells me she’s fine and just
wants to focus on her music.”
    Caleb repressed the urge to sigh. He didn’t
like where Evan was going. If Elle chose to confide in him about her previous
relationships, that was fine, but he didn’t want to hear about it from someone
else. “If that’s what she wants, you should respect that. Everyone’s entitled
to their privacy, right?”
    Evan frowned. “Maybe I didn’t make myself
clear. As her friend, I’m worried about her. Working 24/7 isn’t healthy, and
being too paranoid to trust anyone must be hell. Don’t you think?”
    Caleb couldn’t say. He’d always had a
loving family and close-knit group of friends he trusted. “I’m sure Elle will
work it out.”
    “But it would help if she had someone to
work it out with her.”
    “Why are you pushing this?” Caleb asked,
frustrated by Evan’s persistent meddling.
    “I saw the way she looked at you when she
performed that first song. Man, the fireworks between y’all put the fourth of
July to shame.”
    Caleb couldn’t deny what Evan observed. Their
chemistry was palpable, and obviously even bystanders could see what he felt.
“What do you want me to say? I’m attracted to her? I think that’s pretty
obvious.”
    “I came over here because I wanted to find
out what kind of guy you are, figure out whether I should warn you off.”
    “And?” Caleb crossed his arms. “What did
you decide?”
    “I decided you could be exactly what Elle
needs right now.”
    “Gee, I’m so relieved I have your stamp of
approval.”
    Evan smirked. “You and my brother Ryan
would get along great. He’s a smart-ass too.”
    Caleb couldn’t help but smile. “You don’t
have to worry about my intentions with Elle. I have no idea where this thing is
going, but I don’t give a shit about her celebrity status. For all I care, she
could flip burgers for a living.”
     
    ***
     
    The ride back to Elle’s house was too
quiet. She was dying to know what Caleb was thinking, but she was afraid to
ask. Was he still annoyed about what had happened in the manager’s office? Had
she offended him to the point he was no longer interested in her? She was
pondering her options when Caleb reached for her hand.
    He whispered, “Quit overthinking it.” His
smile was warm and genuine.
    Elle felt the overwhelming urge to weep
with relief. “I’m sorry for brushing you off in the office. That wasn’t my
intent. I just…”
    “You just what?” he asked, squeezing her
hand. “Talk to me.”
    “I’m just afraid of starting something I
can’t finish. I’m going back out on the road soon, and that means a
relationship would—” She stopped herself when she realized he hadn’t given her
any indication he was interested in a relationship with her. Sure, he was
physically attracted to her, but that may be the extent of it.
    “What were you going to say?”
    “I don’t do one-night stands. It’s not that
I’m a prude or anything. In my line of work, you can’t afford to be
promiscuous. I’ve worked too hard to build my brand, and I don’t want to do
anything that might compromise it.” She