Page 23 of Caught in the Middle

She rolled her eyes, though the smile dampened its effect.

“I tried convincing her to let me take her picture, but she wouldn’t give in,” Cam supplied.

“She’s always been like that, but I’m sure you know that by now,” Lauren said. “Even her Instagram is full of beautiful photos without anyone ever getting to see the creative behind the camera.”

Emma gave her an appreciative look at the complement of her work. “Speaking of Insta, do you want me to get some shots of you this week? I know you’ve come fully prepared, but if you want an extra set of hands or anything, I’m happy to.”

Lauren’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that. I didn’t want to ask and make you feel like you were working on vacation.”

“We’ll get it figured out then.” Emma smiled.

“We should do a family shoot, too,” Lulu chimed in.

Henry perked up at that. “That’s a great idea. Do you have one of those stand things you sit the camera on? We could do it on the beach.”

“I could take it for you otherwise,” Cam offered. “I’m no photographer, but I bet Emma could set it up for me and I’ll snap the photos.” He smiled. “It’ll be good practice, too. My friends are expecting their first child, and I already know we’re all going to be snapping photos of the little cutie left and right.”

Emma’s brows lifted as she turned toward him.

“That’s sweet, Cam,” Lulu said. “Do you like kids?”

The simple question felt intense with so many eyes on him now. Of course he liked kids, who didn’t? Especially whenever he could go back home to a good night’s sleep and a quiet house after his visits.

“Yeah,” he said. “I have two nieces who are more than spoiled by their Uncle Cam already.”

He caught Emma’s eyes still on him from his peripherals. She had known his friends were expecting, but he hadn’t shared about his sister’s kiddos yet. He wondered if she was surprised or assumed he’d have a strong relationship with them. He bet she would’ve guessed it about him already.

“There’s nothing better than family,” Henry said with a no-nonsense nod. “But we’ll all get in the picture, I’m sure somebody can take the photo for us if need be,” he added, making the temperatures outside turn sweltering and further uncomfortable on Cam’s skin.

He felt the widening of Emma’s eyes, too.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to crowd the family photo,” Cam tried, turning toward Asher in hopes the man felt the same unease. Unfortunately, Asher looked completely at peace, if not pleased, at the thought. Well, that made sense. He was actually dating one of the women here and wanted to be included as part of the family, unlike Cam who feared his boss would resent him every time he saw that photo if things blew up in their face.

Emma came to his rescue, her hand patting his knee under the table. “We’ll take lots of variations.”

He quickly nodded in agreement, then sagged in relief when Asher asked a question that changed the subject.

He was able to relax and enjoy most of the meal until all of their plates were emptied and those who’d ordered dessert were taking their last bites. Cam found himself wondering if Henry liked to save these last-minute surprises until the end of their dinners out of his own enjoyment, or if it was some business meeting tactic that carried over into his personal life. Because this was the second time Cam thought he was about to leave the table without any glitches until Henry suggested the guys go golfing tomorrow.

“That’s a great idea.” Lulu’s excitement was evident. “Then us ladies can go explore and do some shopping. I want to find a new bikini for the week. Most of mine are last season still.”

At Cam’s nervous glance toward Emma, she tried to offer him a life raft. “Cam and I were planning to go shopping already. We need to get him some clothes so he doesn’t sweat to death all week.” She laughed easily, but he noticed the pointed look she gave Lulu to help her out on this.

However, it was Lauren who commented first. “Come on, Emma,” she begged. “It’ll be fun. We’ll have a girls’ day. Besides, you can still pick him up some clothes.”

Cam felt like he was invisible, which was fine since he was torn between liking the idea of golfing with Henry and Asher and worried that it might mean too much time and opportunity for him to say something that would screw all of this up.

Henry waved his hand. “All a man needs is some shorts and trunks, and he’ll be fine.”

Cam didn’t necessarily disagree, although he’d need to get his only pair of shorts washed tonight somehow before he spent the day on the course in them tomorrow. He didn’t mind that his clothes were already half the price of what he noticed Henry and Asher wearing, but he’d prefer not to have a giant stain over the thigh and left ass cheek.

Emma let out a resigned sigh, clearly knowing her objections would be a wasted effort.

Lulu gave her a Cheshire cat-like smile. “You can give your boyfriend up for one day.”

“Alright, alright,” Emma played it off, though Cam wondered if the quick movement by his leg was her trying to kick Lulu under the table.

“Great, it’s settled then.” Henry clapped his hands together once, then began scooting out his chair as he called it a night.

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