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Cassy should have left. That was the logical thing to do. She answered his question. She confirmed what he already knew. It's still there. So she should have walked away. But she didn't.
—
Neither did he.
—
The office was quiet. Too quiet. The city lights outside flickered softly through the glass walls, casting shadows across the room. But neither of them noticed the view. Because they were too focused on each other.
—
Caleb didn't move. Didn't speak.
He just stood there— Looking at her like he was trying to memorize something he didn't fully understand.
—
"You should go home," he said finally.
But his voice didn't match his words. It wasn't firm. It wasn't distant. It sounded like he didn't want her to leave.
—
Cassy noticed. Of course she did. "You don't sound like you mean that," she said softly.
A pause. Then— "I do," he replied. But he didn't look convinced.
—
Cassy took a small step closer. Not too much. Just enough. "Then why are you still standing there?" she asked gently.
Silence.
—
Caleb exhaled slowly. Because he didn't have an answer that made sense. Not one he was used to saying out loud.
—
"I told you," he said quietly. "I don't understand this."
Cassy nodded. "…Then stop trying to."
That made him look at her differently. Not confused. Not guarded. Just… listening.
—
"You don't need to understand everything," she continued softly. "Some things just… happen."
A pause. Then— "Like this." Silence. Heavy. Real.
—
Caleb stepped closer. One step. Then another. Until the distance between them disappeared again.
—
"That's exactly what I don't like," he said quietly.
Cassy didn't step back. "Why?"
"Because I don't control it."
That answer was immediate. Honest. Very him.
—
Cassy smiled faintly. "Maybe you're not supposed to."
That made him stop. Because that idea— Not being in control— Was something he had avoided his entire life.
—
"I don't work that way," he said.
"You're human," she replied softly. "You do."
Silence.
—
For a moment— They just stood there. Close. Too close. But neither of them moved. Because now— Distance felt wrong.
—
Caleb's voice lowered. "…You're not afraid of this?"
Cassy hesitated. Then answered honestly— "A little."
That made his gaze sharpen. "But you're still here," he said.
She nodded. "Yes." A pause. Then softer— "Because I don't want to run from it."
Silence.
—
That answer stayed with him. Because most people ran from things they didn't understand. But she didn't. She stayed.
—
And that made him stay too.
—
"You should be careful," he said quietly.
Cassy tilted her head. "Why?"
A beat. Then— "Because I don't know what I'll do if this keeps going."
That warning wasn't cold. It wasn't threatening. It was honest. Too honest.
—
Cassy's heart skipped. But she didn't move. "…Then maybe we'll find out," she said softly.
That changed something. Again.
—
Caleb's jaw tightened slightly. Not in anger. In restraint. Because she made it sound simple. Like something dangerous wasn't already happening.
—
"Cassy…"
Her name came out quieter this time. Almost like he wasn't trying to control it anymore.
—
She looked at him. Waiting. Not afraid. Just… there.
—
And for a moment— It felt like everything was about to cross a line. A real one. One they couldn't take back.
—
But then— Caleb stepped back. Suddenly. Breaking the space. Breaking the moment.
—
"Go home," he said. This time— It sounded like an order again.
—
Cassy blinked. Just slightly surprised. But she nodded. "…Okay." She turned to leave.
—
But before she reached the door—
"Cassy."
She stopped. Didn't turn right away.
—
"…This isn't over," he said quietly. That wasn't a warning. It wasn't a threat. It was a promise.
—
Cassy smiled faintly. Without looking back. "I know." And then she left.
—
Caleb stood there long after she was gone. The room felt empty again. But not the same kind of empty.
—
Because now— He knew something for certain.
—
This wasn't just curiosity. This wasn't just attention. This wasn't just confusion.
—
This was something growing. Something real. Something dangerous.
—
And the worst part?
—
He didn't want it to stop.