Page 24 of Camden

“I’m so freaking excited. Have you asked her out yet? What did she say? When are you having babies?” Rylie spouted off the questions quickly.

“Breathe, woman,” Mason said, amused at his wife. “Maybe you should let him answer the first question before you ask if he’s boned her yet.”

She patted him on the cheek. “You really need to stop listening to Haley so much. She’s rubbing off on you.” He nipped at her playfully.

“It’s not my fault she’s around so much. If she isn’t with you, she’s with Asher.” Mason pointed out but quickly backtracked at Rylie’s expression. “Not that I don’t love having her around.”

Rylie rolled her eyes and focused on me. “Tell me everything.” She clasped her hands together under her chin.

“There’s nothing to tell. I asked her out. She said she can’t. At least not yet.”

The solemn look on her face told me she knew much more than I did. “You’re serious about her? I mean, really serious about her?”

I didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes.”

“It won’t be easy.”

I already knew that. Ry should know I didn’t give up on the things I wanted. “I can be patient. When was the last time you heard me talk about wanting to date someone? Like really date them.”

“Not just bone.” Asher tossed out helpfully.

Rylie groaned. “Not you too,” Asher smirked and shrugged a shoulder.

“Not just bone.” I agreed. Although I only used the word “bone” because Rylie clearly disliked it.

Her eyes turned to slits as she pointed in my direction. “Don’t start.”

I held my hands up in surrender. “I don’t just want to sleep with her,” I clarified.

“Okay. I’ll help you.”

“You’ll help me?”

Ry nodded quickly. “Heck yes, I will. I’m fully on your team. She needs a good guy in her life.”

“I want to be that for her,” I said.

Her face softened. “I believe you.”

“I never thought I’d see the day that you gave dating a chance.” Mason angled his beer in my direction before taking a swig.

I shrugged. “It’s her.” It’s the only clarification needed for my change of heart. Stephanie was my reason. Rylie physically swooned at my word, and I swore little hearts danced around her head.

“How long have you been hiding this from us?” Mason asked.

“Not too long. I just decided to go for it at your wedding.”

Rylie straightened fast. Mason grunted at the change in pressure against his chest, but she ignored him. “I change my mind. I won’t help you.”

“The fuck? Why not?” I swear the girl gave me whiplash.

Rylie glared at me. Strangely intimidating for such a small thing. “You justdecidedto go for it at the wedding. My best friend isn’t someone that youall of a suddendecide to just go for. She deserves more thought than that.”

She was fired up. Clearly. I waited until she stopped talking. “Are you finished?” My brow raised in question.

Rylie twisted her lips, her eyes still shooting daggers in my direction. I wouldn’t lie… it was a little scary to be on the end of that look. I wasn’t sure how Mason found it cute. “I don’t know,” she huffed, crossed her arms, and resumed her original position against Mason’s chest. His arm immediately circled her shoulder.

“Well, when you’re finished, let me know so I can agree with you already.”

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