Page 64 of Caught in the Middle

“Yeah, actually. I do.”

“Actually?”

She winced. She didn’t mean to say it like that or have him pick up on it. She didn’t want to bring up the past with him. Whenever she was with Cam, it felt like nothing and no one else mattered. “My previous relationship didn’t include a lot of dancing. But that’s okay,” she quickly added. “I have no problem dancing with the girls.”

He refrained from looking over at Asher, something Henry had said on the boat earlier popping into his mind. It was another example of her ex suffocating the light that so clearly shined within her. Cam tightened his hold on her, wanting to replace any thoughts of another man.

“Good thing I’m a natural then,” he joked to lighten the mood. “Stick with me and I promise I’ll give you a lifetime of dances.”

Emma swallowed as her heart fluttered. A lifetime. And Cam didn’t strike her as someone who minced words or made false promises. Instead of responding, she gave his shoulder a squeeze under her hand and let the music and merry of her surroundings swoop her up. Nothing else mattered in this moment as she smiled against him, felt him hold her tight, and moved with the rhythm.

They continued like that until the band switched gears, deciding to pick up the tempo, and Emma had to admit she felt relieved and excited whenever Cam stayed on that dance floor with her.

She bet he was a sight to see in his younger days, that reckless and boyish energy breaking out from the responsible and mature shell he’d come to build. She liked it. She liked him. Everything about him, she realized, and for the first time, she didn’t feel that flicker of fear or worry trying to slither into her heart. Instead, it felt like a well of possibilities and excitement, daring her to be open and welcome something new.

The night’s hours flew by as they danced and sang and snuck more food and drinks. Eventually, Henry came out and joined them, his smile widening when a woman left her friends to join him for a dance or two. Emma watched with what could only be described as joy as her friends, these people who were also her family, were smiling and laughing and having a good time. Even Asher eventually left his chair and swooned Lauren right off her feet and all over the dance floor.

As the night carried on, the music continued to be fun and upbeat. The kind that got everyone out there and moving at some point. The good vibes were too contagious for anyone to sit on the sidelines for too long. She danced with her friends and spun around a time or two with Henry, but her favorite was dancing with Cam, seeing that goofy smile on his face, the way his eyes stayed trained on her, swearing they danced to their own beat when she met his gaze, and how incredibly relaxed and right it felt to be here enjoying this with him.

To think, he wasn’t even supposed to be here. The craziness of it all, how he’d wound up here, how they met, all of it made Emma laugh. Then she couldn’t stop it and as Cam looked at her with a quizzical expression it only grew louder until she was wiping tears from her eyes.

“Dare I ask?” he said against her ear so that she could hear him over all the wonderful chaos surrounding them.

“No.” She smiled up at him, a warmth cascading over her body. “Just dance with me.”

Chapter 24

By the time Emma and Cam excused themselves for the night, it had grown late and the crowd had dwindled to half the size. However, the enthusiasm of those still there made up for the parting guests. Emma gave Lauren’s hand a squeeze good night, enveloped Henry into a hug, waved across the patio at Lulu, and nodded toward Asher before finally turning to Cam.

He slid his arm around her shoulder as they walked inside and headed for their room. She leaned into his embrace, smiling as they walked. “I had the best night.”

He looked down at her. “Me too. One for the books.”

“I didn’t know they were going to have anything like that this week, did you?”

He laughed. “I didn’t even know I would be here this week.”

She playfully whacked his stomach with the back of her hand as they waited their turn at the elevator.

“How late do you think they’ll stay out?” he asked.

“Lulu isn’t going to call it a night ‘til her legs give out. Henry looked on the cusp of ending his, and I’d say Asher and Lauren probably have a bit still left in them.” The doors opened for them to enter and another couple stepped inside with them. Emma waited until they exited on a different floor before saying, “Lauren and I are going to do looks tomorrow morning, so hopefully she gets some rest.”

His head tilted. “Looks?”

“For her content. Different outfits and pictures of her in different locations around the city.”

He nodded. “Gotcha.”

“It’s amazing how well she puts together travel itineraries as well as tips and ideas. It’s extremely resourceful for anyone wanting to go somewhere new but not knowing where to start planning.”

“I could see that.” The doors opened on their floor and Cam slid his hand to her lower back to let her step out first, then he grabbed her hand, not wanting to lose her touch. He had the best night dancing with Emma, better than anything he could think of, and he wasn’t ready for it to end.

If their room had a balcony, he’d gladly sit on it and talk all night together until the sunrise. “Do you like doing that type of photography?” Lauren’s job was interesting, but he’d rather learn more about Emma’s role and her thoughts on it. He admired the way she supported her friends, but he was more intrigued about what went on with her.

“Yeah, partly because the people I work with are pretty amazing and what some do can be incredible, and partly because it exposes me to places or ideas I wouldn’t have found on my own. There’s something to be said about showing up for a clothing line shoot and getting to see behind the scenes of the final product being released to the world after the owner has poured their heart and soul into the designs, the creative process, overseeing quality and production, and then making sure I achieve the vision they have for their set.”

Cam’s brows rose. He honestly had no idea that much went into clothing.

---