Page 72 of Ashley & the A-Listers

“I like to spoil myself. Is that such a bad thing?” Was it too soon to tell her he’d like to spoil her, too?

She pursed her lips, her gaze dancing to the beta over Cameron’s shoulder. “I suppose not.”

“I’d like to spoil you for your birthday, too,” he admitted.

“Money doesn’t impress me,” she told him softly.

“Maybe I’m not trying to impress you,” he responded, a total lie. “Maybe I’m just trying to show you how fun it can be.”

“How fun what can be?”

Cameron reached for his wine glass, lifted it to his lips, and noticed the way Ashley watched him. “Being a celebrity.”

Ashley’s smile curled, and she’d never looked at him quite like that. Something in his chest lurched.

“You impress me plenty on the mat, Cam.”

“I just thought, since we finally got you out of the gym, that?—“

A hand landed on Cam’s shoulder from the other side, and River’s smooth voice was in his ear. “Quit while you’re ahead.”

Ashley chuckled, a hand covering her lips as laughter sprinkled out.

Cam hung his head dramatically, which made her laugh a bit more, and his embarrassment was totally worth it if it pulled such adorable sounds like that from her.

Her scent surrounded him, all lemongrass and ginger, and Cam tasted it heavy on his tongue.

“Fine, fine. No more fine dining establishments,” Cam declared.

“So a hike? You’ll all go on a hike with me tomorrow?” she asked, eyes darting between the three of them.

Dylan… well, Cam noticed Dylan looked a little… subdued as he nodded. “If you want us there,” he said.

He and Ashley shared a look that Cam couldn’t decipher from his spot at the table.

“I haven’t seen any of the local beauty—besides the one at this table, of course,” River interjected. “So let’s go see a damned waterfall!”

Ashley rolled her eyes, but that cute smile was still molding her lips. “Fine, you’re all invited.”

“An honor,” Cameron said.

“Sorry your wax-stamped invitation got lost in the mail,” she quipped, and Cam shrugged.

“I’ll overlook it this once.”

“We should probably start early while it’s cool, then we can get to the waterfall by the time the heat is ramping up,” Ashley mused.

“Good plan,” River said.

“How early are we talking?” Cam asked, suspicious.

“I don’t know… it isn’t a very long hike. Nine a.m.? Ten?”

“Oh, that’s not too bad. I was worried you were thinking, like, six a.m.”

“Aw, do you need your beauty sleep?” she teased.

“Duh,” Cam answered. “How else do you think I look this good?”

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