Page 33 of Lock 'em Down

She softens and Stella arches an eyebrow at me as if to say—see? He’s charming.

Oh, trust me, I know.

“So,” Leif says slowly, “Cami and I are already acquainted.”

“You are?” Mom leans forward.

“We are,” Leif confirms, glancing at me.

I open my mouth, but words don’t come out.

“Isn’t that great?” Stella chimes in, saving me.

“Yes!” Mom gushes. “Now, you two can travel home to Minnesota together for holidays. Or grab a dinner every now and then. It will be easy for you to fall back into your friendship or—” She looks at Leif. “How do you two know each other?”

“It’s actually a funny story,” he starts, injecting enthusiasm into his warm tone. He doesn’t look stressed out. Instead, he’s as cool as a cucumber. He even leans back in his chair and takes a pull of his beer. His Adam’s apple bobs and I try not to stare but… God, even his neck is hot.

Stop getting distracted! Your entire world is about to implode.

Except, it’s not. Because that already happened and you’re still here.

I take a deep breath to steady myself.

“Can’t wait to hear it,” Stella tacks on, her eyes dancing the same way her son’s do. Like she’s more amused than wary.

My mother looks positively frightened. So much so, her knuckles turn white from where she holds the stem of her wine glass. She clears her throat. Gives me a quick look. “If this has something to do with Cami’s past?—”

“It doesn’t,” I interject before she can give more away. Why did she have to mention my past mistakes at all? Not everyone knows about Levi! In fact, Mom, Dad, and their lawyers did such a great job that no one—save for my immediate family and a few close friends—knows anything at all.

Across the table, Leif’s gaze snaps to mine. His nostrils flare and his eyes narrow, as if trying to decipher Mom’s words or my reaction. Probably both.

My toes begin to tap the floor. My knees bounce. I slip my hands under my thighs to stop their trembling. And then, I ramble. “It’s silly, really. Just, a great night out. Our friend groups really hit it off and?—”

“In Minnesota? Minneapolis?” Stella guesses.

“Vegas,” I toss out.

“Vegas!” Mom exclaims. “You two, you know each other from Las Vegas?” She laughs nervously. “Well, you were just there, Cami. What a small world! How did you learn the connection?” She gestures between herself and Stella.

“We didn’t,” Leif says dryly.

“Oh!” Stella remarks, rolling her lips together as if to keep from laughing. “So, you two…” Her eyebrows waggle as she glances between us.

Mom turns positively red and takes a gulp of—nearly polishing off—her wine. “Camille,” she squeaks.

“We hit it off right away,” I toss out. “I mean, he’s so charming, you know? You know, Stella.”

Stella chuckles and nods.

Mom begins to fan herself.

“And I was taken with Cami’s free-spirited outlook,” Leif says and I know he means it as a compliment but Mom doesn’t take it that way.

Her hand swats the air faster. “Oh, that’s one way of describing her. Cami’s a follower by nature.”

Leif frowns. “Cami’s one of the most fun women I’ve ever spent a night with.” He drops his head as soon as his words color the air.

I groan.

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