Page 89 of Not That Into You

I playfully smack his stomach. “I meant for food.”

“Oh. Well, that’s less enticing, but the answer is still yes. What time is it?”

I glance at my alarm clock. “Oh, shit.”

“What?”

“Hayley will be home soon.”

The thought of Hayley seeing us together, witnessing our new dynamic—assuming we have a new dynamic—before I’ve even processed what just happened gives me heart palpitations.

I lever myself off Cameron and get up, looking around for my clothes. “It would probably be best if you were?—”

“Dressed when she gets home?” He stands up and pulls on his pants. “Yeah. I agree.”

I slip on my bra. “Actually, I think it would be best if you weren’t here.”

Cameron stills and gives me a hard look. “Why?”

“Because if she sees us together...” Where is my shirt? I look around frantically before locating it and pulling it on. “She’ll know something’s up.” I finger-comb my hair. “She’ll know something happened.”

He puts his hands on his hips. “And you don’t want her to know?”

“Not right this second.” I give him an exasperated look. “Would you like to discuss what just happened between us with Hayley? Right now?”

He huffs out a breath. “Fine. Point taken.”

He pulls on his shirt, and I dash into the bathroom to freshen up. By the time I’ve returned, Cameron is dressed and smoothing back his hair.

I grab his hand and lead him to the front door.

“Look. We’ll talk.” I open the door. “Okay?”

He narrows his eyes, studying me. “Fine.” He steps through the door but pauses in the hallway. “I’ll leave, but we’re going to talk, Monica.”

I give him a smile I hope is reassuring rather than panicked. “Of course.”

He grabs my face and gives me a hard kiss before pulling back and walking off.

I watch him for a moment before closing the door and leaning against it.

I cover my face with my hands. Did that just happen? Did we really just have sex? Laughter bubbles up as I try to come to terms with the reality that I just had mind-blowing sex with Cameron Stanhope. Cameron Stanhope.

Shaking my head, I move into the kitchen and grasp the counter with both hands, trying to process what just happened, when Hayley sails through the front door.

“Honey, I’m home!”

Chapter 24

Monica

Hayley grins when she sees me. “Yay! You’re home! How was the Hamptons? Tell me everything.”

I swallow. “It was fine. How was the photoshoot?”

She shrugs. “The usual. High drama, little sleep, and no appreciation.” Her eyes narrow. “But back to you. What do you mean it was fine?” She grabs my arm and drags me into the living room, so we’re both sitting on the couch facing each other. “I need more details.”

I roll my eyes. “There’s not much to tell.” Lie. “We stayed at his parents’ house, I met his family, and we attended his dad’s party, surfed, and played pickleball.” I shrug. “That’s about it.”

---