Chapter 15 - A Ride with the Devil

The night had taken a wilder turn. Laughter rang through the restaurant, glasses clinked together in endless toasts, and the alcohol flowed freely. Callie had lost count of how many drinks had been passed around, though she had initially intended to take it easy. But after the humiliating spectacle with Kyle's bouquet and the snide remark from Dave Howard, she found herself sipping more than she should have.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling an odd sense of unease. That strange, prickling sensation crawled up her spine again, and she instinctively glanced across the room.

Dave.

He wasn't drinking much, nor was he indulging in the raucous conversations around him. Instead, he was watching her. Not in an obvious way, but enough for her to notice. His dark eyes flicked toward her when she moved, his expression unreadable. It made her skin prickle with irritation.

What was his deal? First, he acted like she didn't exist, then he made condescending comments about her personal life, and now he was watching her like she was some sort of puzzle he wanted to figure out?

She huffed under her breath and looked away.

The warmth in her chest was no longer just from annoyance—it was the alcohol settling into her bloodstream. She needed to leave before she did something she'd regret.

Slipping her coat over her shoulders, she quietly pushed back her chair and made her way toward the exit. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the stuffy heat inside, and she sighed in relief as she stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Running away?"

She stilled at the voice, recognizing it immediately.

Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Dave Howard. He stood near the entrance, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his car keys. He looked just as composed as ever, not a single hair out of place, while she—well, she wasn't exactly at her best.

"I'm going home," she said, crossing her arms.

"Alone?"

She scoffed. "What's it to you?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he studied her, his gaze flickering from her flushed cheeks to the way she slightly wobbled on her feet.

"I'll drive you," he said.

She frowned. "No, thanks."

"Do you even have a ride?"

Callie hesitated. She had planned to call a cab, but now, in her slightly intoxicated state, she realized she didn't really want to wait alone in the dark.

Still, accepting a ride from him felt… wrong.

"I can take care of myself," she insisted.

"That's not what it looked like earlier when you walked out of there."

Her jaw clenched. "You're really insufferable, you know that?"

He smirked slightly. "I've heard."

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But just so you know, we're not neighbors anymore. I don't live near the lake house now. I moved back to the city."

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering something. Then, with a casual shrug, he unlocked his car.

"Then give me your address."

She hesitated for a second before muttering her apartment location.

Without another word, he walked to the passenger side and opened the door for her.

Callie bit the inside of her cheek before sliding in, still unsure if this was a mistake.

As Dave got into the driver's seat and started the engine, she couldn't help but wonder—why did he even care?