Page 111 of Enthrall
Tara stood right behind me. “I am going to tell her,” she said. “We only surf together. Tell her Cameron.”
He leaned on the counter. “Tara and I are only friends.”
“Tara, she knows you come down here all the time,” I said. “Why not mention him?”
“You know Bailey,” she said. “She’s so sensitive. She’s never going to understand why I want to spend time with a man.” Tara raised her hand. “We don’t do anything. We surf. Hangout.”
“Eat tacos,” added Cameron. “We do that.”
I stared at him to see if I could validate what she was telling me.
He merely gave a nod. “I didn’t know you knew about this place?”
“Where’s all your stuff?” I said.
“He doesn’t live here,” said Tara. “He lives at the manor.”
“Sometimes,” he added softly.
“Chrysalis?” I spun round to face her. “Have you been there too?”
“I’m Bailey’s girlfriend but I’m not shackled to her.”
I looked from her to Cameron.
“We just surf,” said Cameron, pouring coffee into three mugs.
“I don’t want his penis going anywhere near me,” said Tara.
Cameron looked amused and paused mid-pour. “I’ll have you know there are many women who are rather partial to my penis.”
Tara curled her lips into a smile. She grabbed one of the mugs and wrapped her hands around it. “I didn’t want Bailey to give me an ultimatum and tell me it’s surfing with Cameron or her.”
“MaybeBailey would want to come with you?” I said.
Tara shrugged. “Maybe.”
I took the mug offered by Cameron.
He took a sip from his. “Mia, let’s talk about why you’re here. Not that I’m not thrilled to see you. Last night I placed you in the hands of Malibu’s most eligible bachelor and right now I’m wondering why you’re at my breakfast bar and not his.”
My eyes stung with tears.
“Tara,” said Cameron. “Go take a shower.”
“What happened?” she said.
Cameron frowned at her. “Please.”
Tara folded her arms.
He waved her off.
Tara turned and made her way out. Cameron’s gaze followed her until she was out of sight and his intense stare slid back to me.
“Richard seemed upset this morning,” I said.
Cameron came around to my side and sat on the barstool opposite. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
