46

Sitting cross-legged on the edge of my bed, I scrolled through my messages with Daniela, the bathroom door closed while Cameron's taking a shower.

I was finishing my shift at the café earlier while Cameron waited at a table near the corner, casually sipping on a cup of coffee he didn't even finish. He did keep me company at work though, since Iris faked being sick to skip shift to hangout with Carol again.

So it was like having a shadow watching me while I worked.

But rather than that, I enjoyed his little jokes he threw every chance he got while I wasn't busy taking orders.

Every glance toward him felt like a reminder of Adeline's threats, but I tried my best to not let her get the best of me.

When my shift finally ended, we walked home together.

By the time we got back, he went to the shower, leaving me alone outside the door, in my own room.

We're going to be alone.

Now, with Cameron busy in the bathroom, I let myself relax, finally being able to talk to the person who makes me happy again. Even though not physically face-to-face, but over the phone.

My lips curved into a small smile, staring down at me and Daniela's messages.

"Sorry for being late. Won't happen again, I promise."

"You'll make it up to me."

I traced the edge of my phone case absentmindedly, my chest fluttering.

Good thing Cameron's not here to see this, otherwise he'd question why my face is so red.

"How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

The typing bubbles appeared, and my heart jumped again.

She always had a way of keeping me on edge, even the slightest of things like this.

"Use your imagination, cariño."

I groaned softly, throwing my phone down onto the bed beside me.

My thoughts ran a thousand miles, knowing I still have to make it up to her when we got interrupted in her office by Mr. Clarke.

My hands fell to my face, like I'm hiding away from the imaginary person in front of me, judging that I'm getting so giggly over a text message.

I took my phone again, and smiled stupidly when more messages came through from her.

"I didn't know you're so talented in drawing."

"What can't you do?"

"Cook." I replied.

"That's okay. I'll cook while you play piano or do one of your other thousands of talents to entertain me."

"Oh no."

"Wouldn't want to distract you and be the reason why you burn the entire house down."

"It's a good thing I'm not cooking then, otherwise I'd be homeless right about now."

I was too busy reading her texts over and over again that I didn't hear Cameron leave the bathroom.

He cleared his throat. "Who's got you smiling like that?"

Startled, my phone almost slipped out of my hands. I quickly turn it off and look up to him.

My eyes widen.

He stood at the frame of the bathroom's door, leaning against the side of it with folded arms.

The only thing covering him was his gray towel wrapped around by his waistline.

His abs were on display. It was the perfect right amount of muscle.

He's tall and lean, muscles and abs. His chest is quite built, probably from all the bench presses he does even. Though the last time he visited a gym was back in LA.

He loves running, so that's probably why he's keeping his fit physique-- running 5K's almost each day.

His hair wet, but not dripping. Maybe a bit damp, which makes it look darked than it is.

"Oh!" He chuckled as she sees me startled at his presence. "Nobody. I was just... watching a cute video of a puppy."

His smile widens. "Aw, cute. Can I see?"

"Oh, I would show you." I stood up and gestured to my locked phone. "But I lost the video."

He nodded.

"Plus, maybe you should get dressed?" I said.

"Maybe, huh?" He walked to my closet. The left side was full of his clothes and other stuff he brought. "What's your favorite dog?" Cameron asked.

His voice sounded so sweet and genuine, that it calmed down my impatience.

I actually thought about his question for a minute. "Probably a Golden Retriever. But definitely the larger dog breeds. I've grown up with them, you know? Before my mom... died. We had two Golden Retrievers. Luna and Nova."

He got out his pajamas which consists of red plaided pants down to his ankles and a white tank top, revealing his muscles.

He listened very carefully at my words, trying to remember each and every detail said. His clothes in his hands, patiently standing there, nodding along my words, signaling that I had his attention.

But his eyes softened at the mention of my mom and hesitated to bring her up.

"Victoria... about your mom--" His voice was quiet and filled with sympathy like his eyes. I knew where it was going and had to cut him off.

"No, no. Don't." I give a weak chuckle. "Let's just-- what's your favorite type of dog?"

Thankfully he left the discussion about my mom. "Mine has to be Labradors. No specific color. I love all of them." He said. He placed his clothes down, now too focused in the conversation. "But you know, you actually quite remind me of a Golden Retriever."

I chuckle at his words, actually a bit interested. My arms fold over my chest and I raise an eyebrow.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

He looked at me for a moment, smiling softly and shrugged. "Well... they're beautiful just like you." I freeze.

"They're so lively and bubbly. If they were a human, they'd be caring, a people-person, love to talk and easy to talk to."

Compliments is not good, that means Adeline's winning.

Still, I was very flattered.

"Oh, wow." I didn't know what to say. "Thank you, I guess."

He was certainly chuffed, happy that I accepted his compliments. After that, he just stared into my eyes with the same smile since he left the shower.

Finally, he broke the staring contest and took his clothes.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" He insisted. "I'll quickly change and order pizza. I'll catch you down there?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah. That sounds nice." I said, but stood there still.

He chuckled. "Alright then. May I get... dressed?"

Embarrassed, I mentally face palm myself and move to the door, stepping over his bed on the floor.

"Right." I mumble.

Shutting the door behind me, I rushed downstairs with my phone still in my hands.

To think that I laughed this much with a guy, Cameron, is insane.

Who knew that this alone time will actually turn out a game of who can learn more about each other. But I think we both tied. The movie even just played for the background sounds while we talked.

He's a great guy, really.

He's nothing like Elijah... or well, more specifically, Felix. But no need to think about them right now.

We were sitting on the same couch at different ends, feet kicked up, facing each other. His one hand holding a slice of pizza while his other rested on his knee.

Both of us comfortable in pajamas.

His perfect, sharp, white teeth shined as he grinned. "What's so bad about black coffee!?"

"It's terrible!" I mumbled, covering my mouth with my free hand as I chew. "It just tastes bitter."

"You're just picky. Black coffee has a certain bitterness to it, sure, but it's an acquired taste."

I shook my head with a tiny smile, looking back at the TV while enjoying some pizza.

It felt like his eyes were burning into my skin. I didn't even have to look at him to know that his gaze was on me. That kind, admiring gaze that he has.

"Hey." He grabbed my attention. "I'm uh, I'm sorry about my aunt. I know she's... difficult, stubborn at times, and even bossy. Very, very bossy. But I do know she loves your dad."

I really didn't want to hear about Adeline right now. It was late, and I was doing so well ignoring all the thoughts about everything.

He clearly saw my expression shift to a less excited one, and acted fast to not start anything. "I'm just saying. I also don't really get along well with her."

I frown softly. "You don't?"

"You're not alone." He shook his head. "When I was little, she'd come babysit me when my parents went away for job stuff. She was so controlling, and each day, she'd bring different people back home to hook-up with. Men and women. Keep in mind I was fourteen, and she was twenty-two. I was invisible to her, so I'm surprised she insisted on me staying here."

Poor guy.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper. Genuinely feeling bad for him. Anger filling my veins, making my body warm.

"Nah, it's fine." He said. "Things has been going better. And she really looks happy with Corbin. She's really in love, you know?"

I chuckle weakly. "Yeah." I said. "My dad feels the same."

There was a pause.

"Have you ever been in love?" The question stung a bit.

My gaze shifted down to the crust of the pizza slice in my hand, the edges uneven where I'd started tearing it apart. It reminded me of love in a way—something that should be simple and enjoyable, but ends up messy when you try to pick it apart too much.

Funny how something so simple could end up like that, so ruined when you messed with it too much. Maybe love was like that, better left whole-- untouched.

Daniela's love must feel different then.

I popped a piece of the crust in my mouth. "I don't know how it feels like."

Cameron looked at me for a moment, his gaze softening. He set his pizza down on the coffee table and leaned forward slightly, resting both his arms on his knees as if the weight of his words needed extra support.

"I think love feels like..." he paused, a small smile tugging at his lips, "a song you can't stop humming, even if you don't know all the words. It's that feeling you get when the sun warms your skin after a cold day or when you smell rain before it falls. It's quiet, but it's there."

I stayed silent.

"It's when you look at someone, and for the first time, you don't feel alone. It's not just butterflies or fireworks; it's knowing that even when things aren't perfect, you wouldn't want to face it with anyone else. It's... a feeling like they're your favorite place, even when you're not together."

My chest tightened, not with fear, but with something heavier, more vulnerable.

"Maybe," he added, his voice softer now, "you've already felt it. Sometimes, we just don't realize it until it's staring us right in the face."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as his words swirled in my mind, stirring something I wasn't sure I was ready to face. The thought of Daniela flashed through my mind. Her laugh, her touch, the way she looks at me like I mean something.

She loves me.

The silence that followed wasn't awkward, but we both just took time to process his words.

My heart hammered in my chest as I stared down at my now empty hands, suddenly hyperaware of the space between us—or rather, how little of it there was now. When I looked up, his face was closer than I expected. He studied me closely with soft green eyes, but didn't pick up on my suspicion and thought I had the same idea in mind.

Oh no.

He was leaning in slowly, gaze on my lips.

My breath hitched, my brain scrambling for an out in this situation.

But like luck was on my side, my phone went off with a loud ping. It vibrated against the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a message.

"Sorry!" I blurted out, grabbing the phone like it was a lifesaver. "Need to check this."

Cameron froze, his expression faltering as he leaned back. "Oh. Yeah, sure." He cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair as he turned his attention to the pizza box.

I unlocked my phone with shaky hands, my eyes skimming over the text. It's from the group with Iris and Eleanor. They were talking about making plans tomorrow, maybe going to the beach since it's Saturday.

I had to read the message over and over because I was still so focused seeing Cameron's face close to mine. My heart continued beating fast, thinking about what will happen after I put my phone away.

"Girls, emergency."

"Something just happened and we need to fake a sleepover."

"If anyone ask, we're at Iris' house, sleeping there for the night till tomorrow."

I typed fast and they both were worried sick with all the messages flooding my phone.

"I'll tell you guys Monday." I added and shut off my phone.

There was no way I could stay here tonight.

Cameron was still staring at the pizza box and a side of me felt a bit bad.

"I, uh..." I stood up, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. "I just got a text from Iris and Eleanor. They're having a sleepover tonight and want me to come."

He looked up, surprised. "Oh, really? Last minute, huh?"

"Yeah, you know how they are," I said with a weak laugh, slowly making my way out the living room. "I mean, I kinda promised to hang out with them this weekend anyway, so..."

Cameron's lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. "Of course. Go have fun. I'll be here."

"Thanks." I avoided his eyes. "I won't be back until tomorrow, so... don't wait up or anything."

"Got it." His smile didn't quite reach his eyes.