Page 78 of Enthrall
“Do you have a girlfriend?” I said quickly, startled by Cameron’s austereness.
“No,” said Richard, his smile infectious. “I’ve already told you that.”
I was relieved to see Cameron’s face relax.
“My turn,” he said. “What’s your first memory?”
I twisted my mouth trying to remember. “Sitting on the sofa at home.”
Cameron gestured toward Richard.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” I said with a smile.
“No,” said Richard and shared an amused glance with Cameron.
“What is your favorite childhood memory?” said Cameron.
“Um...” I reached way, way back trying to remember.
“What do you hear?” he whispered.
“There’s a dog barking. I think it’s a Rottweiler,” I said. “How did you know?”
“You glanced left. Your brain accessed a sound it remembered.” He stepped closer. “Let’s reach for that happy memory.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “A birthday party. Mine.”
“Ask Richard a question,” said Cameron.
I came back into the room feeling decidedly shaken. Had that birthday really been the happiest day? Even though, there on the couch, my father had lain in a drunken stupor.
I shot a glance at Cameron and Richard, trying to think of the next question, having lost count of where we were.
“Hint,” said Cameron. “Ask an open-ended one.”
“Oh, right,” I said. “Do you like your secretary?” I beamed at him, realizing that wasn’t an open-ended question, but all this made me nervous and thinking straight was a challenge.
“Very much so,” said Richard.
I went to pursue that line of questioning when Cameron stepped in front of my line of sight. “The day your father died,” he said. “Your step-mother took you to the funeral home. Do you remember?”
“She did,” I answered. “How did you know?”
“She needed you there. You were the strong one.” He again gestured to Richard.
This back and forwards made me lightheaded and a strange mixture of emotions washed over me. Peering over at Richard and hearing his voice made me feel safe and those moments were helping in-between Cameron’s probing.
I felt brave, saying, “When we kissed last night did you like it?”
“Yes,” said Richard. “Very much.”
I’d asked yet another close ended question, my mind too addled with these foreign feelings rising within to focus properly. “Why did you push away from me?”
“Because it felt… so good,” said Richard. “I care deeply about you.”
Cameron fixed his gaze on Richard and they swapped unspoken words, it seemed. Richard merely nodded, sharing this silent communication with his friend. I tried to make out what this shared look might mean.
“Our kiss made me want to take you right there in the pool,” said Richard. “But I consider myself a gentleman.”
