Page 79 of Not That Into You

Before I can think too hard on Ted’s troubling observation, Cameron calls from the other side of the court, “Any day now, Matthews! Chop chop!”

I scowl at him before taking the ball from Ted and serving. Eventually, the game ends with Cameron and Vanessa winning by only four points.

He gives Vanessa a high-five before calling out to me, “You see the common denominator, right?” He points at himself with his thumbs. “This guy.”

I shake my head. “Don’t get too cocky, Narcissus. We’ve got another game to play.”

Cameron walks up to the net. “We were playing two out of three. I’ve already won two, so there’s no need for three.” He smiles smugly. “I won.”

Scoffing, I march up to the net to stand in front of him. “You forget. We switched up teams, which reset the count.”

Cameron leans in. “You think you can beat me, Matthews?”

Narrowing my eyes, I lean in to meet him. “Any time. Any place.”

“Excellent.” His eyes spark. “Why don’t we?—”

“Actually, I think I’ve had enough.”

We both turn to look at Vanessa, who’s frowning. “I have an appointment.”

Cameron glances at me, and I shrug. I can guess why Vanessa has suddenly lost interest in the game, but I’m still enjoying a pickleball-induced high and don’t want to ruin it by giving her any more thought.

“It was a pleasure meeting you both,” Ted says as he follows Vanessa off the court.

I snort as Cameron shoves my shoulder. “I was a pleasure. You were rude.”

I smile at him. “I guess you bring out the best in me.”

“Clearly.” He drapes his arm around my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get lunch.”

Chapter 21

Monica

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes. This is totally in your wheelhouse, Cameron. Come on.”

Cameron frowns. “I’m not sure how to take that.”

With an exaggerated sigh, I grab the seashell out of his hand and toss it onto the first square of the hopscotch board outlined in chalk on the sidewalk in front of us.

“You can’t tell me you’ve never played hopscotch before.” I hop down the board on one foot, get to the end, turn around, and hop back before bending to pick up the shell and hopping off the board.

“Shocking as it may sound, I’ve never played hopscotch before.”

I toss the shell again, but it bounces just outside the second square. “Drat.”

I hand the shell back to Cameron. “Your turn.”

He looks at the three little kids standing off to the side of the board, who are gleefully watching us. They thought it was hilarious when I asked if we could join their game.

“It’s easy.” I pat Cameron’s arm in reassurance. “Toss the shell onto the first square and hop down the board and back like I did before picking it back up.”

---