Page 13 of Coincidentally Kismet

I feel him behind me before I see him. “She wants to leave because I’m here,” Will grumbles, presumably to his friends.

“Oh. My. God. Cam? Is it really you? You look fantastic. It’s been, like, what? A year?” Amy’s saccharine voice fills my ears as she grabs my arm to spin me around and into a hug.

My cheeks blossom into a shade of dark pink, a classic sign that I’m embarrassed, and I thank my lucky stars that it’s dark enough in here and I’ve been dancing, so it’s not too obvious. “Urm sorry. Yeah, probably about a year, but Lo and I were just leaving.”

“Who the hell is Lo?”This guy again, get a life, dude.

“So, funny story...we use fake names like for safety and stuff. It’s a whole thing, but actually, I’m Lo. Nice to meet you,” Lo dazzles him with her megawatt smile and a quick rub of his arm. Ugh, the way Lo can work a man over is honestly a sight to behold. “Let me just take Cameron here to the patio for a minute, we will be right back. Do not move, soldier.” Lo points her finger in warning at Mr. Hero himself and grabs my arm, practically dragging me toward the sand. I guess she isn’t super glued in place after all.

We find an open love seat facing the water, both plopping down on it with heavy sighs. I stare out at the waves lapping the beach, willing myself to get lost in the mesmerizing drumbeat of the ocean.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” She grabs my hand, squeezing but not too hard. If this had to happen to me with anyone, I’m glad it’s Lo.

“That was Will.” Three words, all I can muster. I must be in shock.

“Who’s Will again?” She has to be kidding, we’ve talked about him about a million times. Sometimes I swear, I love her but she listens as well as a third-grade boy.

“You know, myex. The one that broke my heart after high school?” I shift nervously on the seat. It’s weird seeing him again. I mean, physically—good gravy, he’s matured in a good way. But emotionally...what’s the word for simultaneously feeling so much and nothing at all for a person?

“Ohhh. That Will. Well...we’ve been talking about moving on, working on yourself. Maybe now is the time to prove to yourself you can be around him and survive it?”

“Lo! I don’t know if I can. Not to mention my body isn’t what it used to be, I’m barely scraping by financially. Do you really think it’s a good idea to subject myself to that kind of judgment?” I groan into my hands, leaning forward and putting my head between my knees.

“Honey, I think this is exactly what you need to prove to yourself that you are strong. You need to go in there and have fun. Maybe flirt with a few of his friends and show him that you do not need him.” She snaps her fingers side to side with sass and confidence. “Where’s the girl from all the stories you’ve told me? The sassy smart alec that could throw bales of hay better than the boys and always had a comeback?”

“No, you’re right. If Taylor can do it with a broken heart, I can do this. Or at least I will try, but we need a signal if it’s not working. And don’t leave me to flirt with that alpha-male model in there,” I say, pointing at her in warning.

“Oh my gosh, he is beautiful, isn’t he? I might be in love.” Her eyes are practically filled with hearts as she jumps up, grabbing my hand to rush back in.

This is a no good, horribly bad idea. I’m either going to hate him or love him, and honestly I don’t want to do either. Time to put my game face on.

We sweep back up to the table, Lo scooching in closer to the latest love of her life. I squeeze in between two other guys, who I presume are Will’s friends.

“What’s it gonna be, Wright? Am I staying or going?” Will asks, eyeing me across the table.

“Listen up, Rambo. I’m only gonna say it one time and I’m only allowing it because of those two.” I give a nod and wink to Lo. “You stay in your lane and I’ll stay in mine.” I muster confidence and sass for the reply, but inside I’m frantically pushing down the many questions my favorite friend, the overthinker, is tossing at me.

“Did you just call me Rambo?” He shifts his shoulders a bit higher and there’s a twinkle in his eye.

“Yep! Sure did. Got a problem with it?” Crossing my arms and cocking a hip out in my power stance, I look at him in challenge.

He doesn’t respond, just shakes his head and takes a long pull of his drink. I hate that I notice the way his throat works the drink down. The bob of his Adam’s apple is infuriatingly seductive.

Turning to his friend, a tall blond drink of water who’s a bit leaner than the others, I ask, “Want to dance, soldier”?

He looks at me, then at Will. Will shrugs nonchalantly, so he grabs my hand and off we go. It bugs me that Will was so casual about it. Guess I’ll have to flirt harder with this new guy. Actually, no. I do not care one bit if Will cares or not. He broke my heart for no good reason and that’s that.

CHAPTER 7

WILL

“LONELY BOY” - THE BLACK KEYS

Last night was interesting. Not only did my baby sister show up at my door unexpectedly, Cam danced right back into my life. Well, sorta. I wouldn’t say she’s in my life exactly, but we managed to be around each other for the better part of two hours.

The longest two hours of my life, and I spent them watching her flirt and fawn over Butler.That schmuck.We need to have a little chat about who’s off-limits when it comes to dating in our friend group. Not that I have any right to stake a claim, but I’ve never not considered her mine after all we went through together. I pull up the guys’ group text and see I’ve already missed an alarming number of messages.

Smith

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