Page 31 of Caught in the Middle

“Like the way you were trying not to drool on me in the pool?” she countered back.

He leaned forward, holding her gaze with his. “It’s not my fault you were leaning into me like you couldn’t get enough.” Her nostrils flared, a slight movement that set him on fire.

“You keep telling yourself that,” she countered. “I was just making it look real.”

“Oh?”

She shrugged and leaned back, like someone without a care in the world. “Don’t get your hopes up, Cam. I’m a good actress, that’s all.”

He leaned back too, giving her one last look before turning his attention back to the phone in his hand, clicking the little follow button for her. “Well, I guess I better step up my game today. I’d hate for us to fail because I wasn’t living up to your skill set.”

Though Emma looked relaxed and in control, she felt anything but. That comment felt like a promise and she wasn’t sure she could handle the full attention and impact of being treated like Cameron Wright’s girlfriend.

???

“I’m so excited,” Lulu said as she tightened her harness straps the way their instructor had shown them.

Cam lifted his arms overhead as he gave a stretch. The bus ride had been comfortable, but he was ready to be moving again.

“It’s going to be a blast.” Emma stepped into her leg straps.

Asher approached them with his gear. He turned toward Henry. “What made you decide on ziplining?”

Henry scratched his chin, then shrugged. “I saw it listed as one of the activities to do here and thought why the hell not? It sounded fun.”

Cam chuckled and nodded. “Sounds like a good enough reason.”

“I actually booked this the first night we got here, but didn’t want to tell anyone in case they tried backing out.” Henry gave Lauren a pointed look.

“Don’t look at me,” she laughed. “I’m down for having fun.”

“But what if it messes up that beautiful hair before you snap a photo?” Lulu teased.

Lauren shoved her sister lightly. “I don’t give you shit for your job, so don’t give me shit for mine.”

Emma tossed her arm over Lauren’s shoulder and spoke conspiratorially. “You know she’s only on edge because poor Dan got smart enough to leave the pool before the rest of us.”

Henry turned away. “I don’t want to hear anything,” he said as he left them to their shenanigans and went to talk to the instructor.

Emma let out a bark as Lulu tossed her helmet at her. “Shut up. You heard him say he had plans, but we’re meeting for dinner tonight.”

“Ooh la la,” Emma taunted, causing Cam to laugh at the immaturity and carefree nature of it. “Lulu’s got a date. Lulu’s got a date,” she sing-songed.

Cam and Asher both laughed and shook their heads as both Emma and now Lauren, too, began chanting it at Lulu.

“I don’t know why I put up with either of you.” Lulu went back to her straps, purposely ignoring them.

“Because you love us.” Emma wrapped her arms around her friend and brought her in for a big hug. “And you’re stuck with us, so there’s that.”

Lulu laughed.

“You’re up next,” their guide said from where Henry was still standing next to him.

The group on the platform had thinned out, which meant it was about their turn. Cam slid his harness on and tightened it, then put his helmet on his head. He saw Emma finishing with the last of her strap, and he went to bend down to pick up her helmet from the ground.

When she stuck her hands out for it, he ignored them and placed it on her head, leaning forward as he began adjusting the straps under her chin.

“I can do my own helmet, you know,” she whispered to him.

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