Hearing him say this does make me feel a bit better, even though his ex-fiancé is calling him at eleven o’clock on a Friday night.
“I should probably get going anyway,” I tell him.
“You don’t have to leave yet,” he says.
The last thing I want to do is leave, but the energy has shifted. Lilly being in our orbit bothers me.
“It’s getting late. We’ve both had a long day.”
Cam eyes me curiously. “You saw who that was, didn’t you?”
I shrug. “It’s none of my business who calls you.”
Cam takes my hand in his. “Serena, I promise you there’s nothing between Lilly and me. That was over a very long time ago.”
Hmm…does Lilly know this? I don’t think she’s on the same page as Cam.
“You don’t owe me any explanation,” I tell him.
“Maybe not, but I want to give you one,” he insists. “Tonight has been so great—and then my stupid phone rings.”
“It’s okay,” I assure him, placing my hand on his cheek.
“I like being with you, Serena,” he says. “I feel like I can just be myself, and it’s so easy.”
“I feel the same,” I tell him.
“So, we can do this again?” he asks, hope in his voice.
I nod. “Definitely.”
He exhales loudly. “Good.”
Without any hesitation, he leans in and places another gentle kiss on my lips. This gesture causes my worries to temporarily disappear. I don’t know what’s ahead, but all that matters right now is this moment.
* * *
"Coach Cam kissed her last night,” Eliza shouts to Mason.
“Finally. It only took him years,” I hear him yell. “I should call and congratulate him for finally manning up.”
I snort. “Tell him to hush because I know some deep dark secrets about him.”
Eliza repeats what I said.
“Just kidding, Serena,” he calls. “So excited for you.”
I laugh.
“This is the best news,” she says. “You must be on cloud nine.”
“Yes. It took me forever to fall asleep last night after our amazing evening together. And I owe it all to you. I probably wouldn’t have texted him if you hadn’t talked me into it.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” she says. “I just gave you the little encouragement you needed.”
“Because you’re a great best friend and life coach.”
“Well, yes.”