Page 72 of Camera Shy

“No, no, just let me own it. I know how I can be. Sometimes I don’t think I deserve you.”

“Doesn’t matter, best friend. You have me. I love you too.”

“Good.” She breathes out in relief. “Go have fun with your boy toy. I hope you went to the store and bought yourself something other than granny panties.”

She can’t see my glower, but she can sure as hell hear my sass. “How can I? You still have my car.”

“Shit.”

I chuckle as I hang up the phone. Hot mess Palmer. Yeah, she’s rough around the edges, but she’s my oldest friend. I know where each of those edges comes from.

I know her heart. And it’s a good heart.

* * *

A soft pounding coming from Dex’s front door pulls me from my nap. Who could that be? I check my phone lying on the coffee table in front of me in case Finn texted to tell me he was stopping by. There are no notifications. Just the time on the screen telling me I’ve been napping for one hour and it’s past three in the afternoon.

It’s been a few days since Finn and I have hung out and I’ll admit…I’ve been avoiding seeing him in person.

Because I’m sore.

It’s a good sore. Simply evidence of his massive proportions, but I don’t think I could’ve slept with him again without cringing, and the last thing I want to do is make him feel guilty and scare him off, so for the past few days, I’ve been pretending I’m buried in work. I’m not. Mason still hasn’t gotten back to me with the reports. I texted him yesterday and all he said was he was traveling and would check in when he gets back. This is why I handle the clients. Too bad the marketing director at Legacy Resorts who holds the key to the next level in my career apparently can’t handle a woman who’s smarter than he is. Ridiculous.

I make my way to the door, wishing I’d downloaded the security system app like Dex instructed me to. Had I done so, I could see who was at the door, tap a button, and politely tell them to please go away without leaving my spot on Dex’s comfy living room couch.

Opening the door, I see a stranger I certainly wasn’t expecting. She has striking features. Her angled features and high cheekbones are entrancing. Her straight-cut bangs, jet-black hair, and dark and heavy eye makeup are a stark contrast to the light jean shorts and flowy, floral top she’s wearing. It’s such a unique look, composed of contradictions. Is everyone in Las Vegas interesting and beautiful?

“Hello,” I say, nodding to the pink, polka-dot bakery box in her hands. “I’m sorry, wrong house. I didn’t order any deliveries.” I glance past her shoulder, but there’s no car. Finn accidentally got my groceries. Maybe I got his…baked goods?

“Hey, Avery,” she says, wiping one hand on the back of her shorts and then holding it out to me. “I’m Lennox, Finn’s cousin. Sorry if my hands are sticky.” I shake her hand anyway, my urge to be polite winning out over my concern as to why her hands are sticky. She must sense my hesitance because she elaborates as she holds up the pink box. “I brought you the best cinnamon rolls in Las Vegas as a welcome neighbor gift. But I had to sample one to make sure they were up to their usual par.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “How are they?”

She smiles, her ruby-red lips spreading across her entire face. “So good that you’re down to three.” She holds out the box. “Finn drove out to Scottsdale to see his mom today, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to be a creeper and come introduce myself. He’s been talking about you nonstop.”

I try to contain my smile and fail miserably. Whatever. He’s my friend. I’m allowed to like my friend and enjoy the fact that he’s talking about me.

“All good things, I hope?”

“Phenomenal things,” she says. “I had to come by and make sure you were real.”

I chortle under my breath. Flattery gets you everywhere, Finn. Like right back in front of the closet mirror doing whatever you want to me.

“Do you want to come in? I can make some coffee.” I point to the box in her hand. “You must be a mind reader because I haven’t had lunch yet and those smell divine.”

“I’d love to.”

I step aside, making room for her at the doorway. She gives my shoulder a little squeeze as she passes me and instantaneously, I feel at ease around this stranger. It’s the same way I felt immediately at ease around Finn. Maybe it’s a family trait. They share a certain charisma.

Lennox makes herself right at home in Dex’s house. She’s obviously been here a time or two as well because she knows where the little appetizer plates are in Dex’s massive kitchen. She pulls the dishware from the cabinet and plates two enormous cinnamon rolls that cover the entirety of each six-inch plate. My empty stomach howls with excitement.

After pressing the brew button, I join Lennox at the kitchen breakfast table—the only table I use in this house. Dex’s fancy dining table in his grand dining room is still staged and untouched. I have zero plans of eating at a table that could comfortably seat twelve. The round kitchen table is plenty of space to eat and work at.

“You’re really pretty,” Lennox says.

As a knee-jerk reaction, I look over my shoulder and then flush at my evasiveness. Confidence, Avery. That’s what we’re working on.

“Yes, I’m talking to you,” she adds with a chuckle.

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