Page 35 of Caught in the Middle

“Maybe that’s why the breakup didn’t bother you as much as you thought it would, and why you didn’t say yes when he proposed.” He met her eyes. “There were no sparks.”

Her lips twitched up. “And do sparks even exist?” Though her heart was telling her she’d already discovered that answer.

Cam pulled her float even closer to his, their faces mere inches apart. “I think so.”

She swallowed, sure the fish under the water could hear her rapid heartbeat. “Have you ever experienced them?”

He ignored her question. “Do you find it easier to open up to new experiences instead of people? Is that why you say yes to clients who will require you to travel?”

She gave him a look. “That’s not fair. I’ve been answering your questions, it’s your turn to answer mine.”

“What would you prefer my answer be?” Cam asked softly, noticing her face freeze for a fraction of a second.

“Besides capturing parts of the world and sharing it with people who would otherwise never see the beauty that surrounds us, I think photography is a way of communication. I prefer to let the people who hire me be the vulnerable ones. When they’re willing to do that, then I can offer them a part of me through my lenses and with adjustments of the shutter and aperture that will speak to them on a whole new level,” Emma said.

“They see themselves the way I and so many others see them. Daring, happy, striving, unbreakable, living. And sometimes sad or lonely or defeated. I am open to sharing those experiences with people, helping them on their mission to get others outdoors or to forge a path of entrepreneurship or creativity. But to sit down and spill myself to someone…”

Emma rolled her head to the side to look at the sun cascading its beauty across the water in its descent. “That’s harder. I’ve been able to do that with very few people. Most of which are all here on this vacation.”

Cam’s hand found the back of her elbow, his light touch bringing her gaze back to him. “Was it hard to tell me about your childhood that first night on the beach?” His voice was gentle, warming her like a hug.

She looked into those deep blue eyes, the sun catching the sparkles of emerald through the middle. This was the easiest question he’d asked her so far. “No,” she said simply.

They continued to float like that for a while. Emma wasn’t sure how much time had passed, only that the sun continued to set and the warmth she was feeling felt natural and she knew it came from within like a part deep inside her had been nurtured and hummed to life.

She allowed the sounds of the ocean and the beach full of people to fill her, the sight of their towels and umbrella far down the shore by now. She saw the birds fly overhead, dipping toward the water occasionally, and the sky turn into beautiful hues of pink and gold.

When she didn’t think there was anything as soothing and wonderful as this moment, she heard Cam’s faint words drift into the air, answering her earlier question.

“Only once.”

And she hoped her heart wasn’t getting her into more trouble than she knew what to do with.

Chapter 14

“Are you as worn out as I am?” Emma asked, walking out of the bathroom with a bottle of lotion. They’d stayed at the beach until dark, having eaten the food they brought in the cooler and then laying out on their towels as other guests took evening strolls. Between the glow of the moon and the reflections of the hotel’s lights, they could still see plenty.

It’d been nice and comfortable. Emma enjoyed the silent moments as much as she did when they were filling the air with conversation. She’d found herself divulging Cam with stories about her travels and work, sure he’d grow bored of it at some point but he never did. Instead, he’d asked surprising questions, the kinds that made her stop and think. It was nice. It felt like she was reflecting on her life with a friend.

They’d spent just as much time discussing what his life was like back home, the crazy shenanigans he and his friends got up to, how a few of his friends met their partners, and what his goals were with work. They’d shared their dreams and hopes, biggest fears, most embarrassing stories, and everything in between.

It wasn’t until her stomach had started grumbling again that they realized how late it’d gotten or that there was hardly anyone else on the beach anymore. On their stroll back up to the hotel, she’d found herself overcome with a sense of peace and gratitude.

When she was with Cam, Emma realized she didn’t worry about what anyone thought about her life, she felt thankful and proud of it.

Cam grunted in response, sprawled out sideways on the bed holding his belly. “I think I ate way too much.”

“Still?” She cracked a smile as she went to the couch to sit. “I don’t think you’ve moved since I showered.”

When they returned to the room, they ordered late-night room service before showering. However, after Cam got out of the bathroom, he’d laid on the bed and clearly hadn’t moved.

“I haven’t. I’ve been questioning at what point all-inclusive food turns into a punishment instead of a privilege.”

She grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at him. “Stop being a baby.”

Cam reached for the pillow and rolled up to throw it back at her. “Make me.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes, opening the cap of the lotion bottle to squirt some on her legs.

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