Page 45 of The Summer Arrangement
My body heats as his eyes pin me in place.
When he brushes a piece of hair behind my ear, my pulse skyrockets.
What this man does to me is beyond insanity.
He’s my boss, I shouldn’t be thinking like this.
But apparently, my body doesn’t get the message.
When his food arrives, my drink is empty. Cameron leans in and asks, “Want another or something different?”
“Sure. I’ll take another margarita.”
He hands the waitress his card to start a tab, then turns to me with a wicked grin. “So, what kind of trouble have you been up to?”
“Hmmmm…” I tease. “This is Seaside; there’s only so much to do…”
Slowly running his tongue along his lower lip, as if he’s heavily contemplating, he adds, “I’m sure you can think of something…”
“The night’s just getting started, and I’m only one drink in… It’s pretty mellow for a twenty-one-run.”
Looking around my family, he shrugs. Then he leans in and lays down a challenge, “I don’t know… the night’s still young. A lot can happen. For the record… alcohol shouldn’t have anything to do with it.”
I swear the mood between us shifts when he lifts his glass to mine, raises a brow, and promises, “Let’s make this a night to remember.”
I’m not sure what came over me, but the second the words come out of my mouth, a life-altering decision is made, and the tightness in my chest loosens.
I like this woman.
Period.
I’m tired of denying it.
I know I’m her boss, and I’ll follow her lead on how she wants to navigate this summer but fuck if I’m not shooting my shot.
We’re both adults.
Surely, we can figure something out.
“You good?” I ask, hoping she understands the double meaning of my words. If not, I’ll gladly spell it out for her—when the time is right.
Never losing eye contact, she tilts her head to the side and slowly nods.
I’m not sure what her family knows about us, but the only opinion that matters when it comes to us is the beautiful woman’s beside me. To reassure her things are good on my end, too, I reach under the table for her hand and give it a squeeze. As I pull away, she surprises me by gripping my palm tighter, then resting our linked hands comfortably on my thigh.
Naturally, my body shifts closer to hers, and this simple gesture gives me hope that we might once again be on the same page.
*****
When the band plays a cover of “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon, Raven jumps up from the table. “Hey, birthday girl, let’s get your ass on the floor.” To her sisters, she puts up a finger in warning. “Don’t even think about sitting this out… as the song says, shut up and dance with me.”
That’s all the prompting they need. The next thing I know, every Lancaster is on the dance floor, having the time of their lives. Bouncing to the beat, hips swaying, and hands waving in the air, they sing along with the tune. Each spurring the others to step up their game.
I’m vaguely aware the guys are talking around me, but I couldn’t tell you what they’re saying. My focus is on Lizzy.
Damn, she’s stunning.
I love seeing her so carefree and living her best life with her sisters.
