Page 84 of Bad for Business
He shakes his head and pretends that what I’ve said actually hurts him. “Fine, be a hater if you want to be. Your loss. Your turn now. Tell me something you’ve never told anyone else.”
I think over his question. I should’ve been more prepared to answer it since I’m the one who asked in the first place. The truth is, there’s a lot I’ve never told anyone. It’s not like I have many people in my life I can share secrets with. I always liked it that way. Now, I realize my lack of friendships and relationships might be sad.
“I lost my mom too. When I was a young, barely a teenager. I think she was the only person who ever loved me. Sometimes, I’m terrified I’m unlovable. And the only love I’ll ever know was that of a mother’s…and even that was taken from me.”
I don’t know why I say this out loud to Ryker, but it feels right. It’s something that’s been on my mind more and more this summer, and for some reason, it’s something I want him to know, no matter how vulnerable that truth might be.
“Cami.” He sounds shocked but I’m not sure why. My words are true. It’s not like I’m a lovable person. Or maybe the surprisecomes from finding out about Mom. I don’t think I’ve ever told him about her. It didn’t feel right to pile my grief on top of his.
I shake my head. I don’t really need him to say anything. All I wanted was to be able to tell him that.
I pull my gaze from his, needing to look away from the intensity in his eyes.
He places his finger under my chin and tilts my head up to look at him.
He clears his throat, his eyes pinned on mine. His focus is so intent on me that it feels like I’m the only person in the world. “You’re not unlovable,” he rasps, his voice thick and heavy.
I try not to shiver from the sound of it…or from the actual words that he says. It feels like my heart could beat right out of my chest as I whisper my next words. “Do you mean that?”
The question leaves my lips before I can think better of it. I don’t know if I want to know his answer. I know everything between us is new, and we’re nowhere close to declarations of love, but I can’t help but want to know that at leasthedoesn’t believe me to be unlovable.
Maybe if he believes it, I will too.
His thumb traces over my bottom lip. “Of course I do. I’ve never meant anything more.”
I smile, leaning in to kiss him. I don’t know how long we kiss, but I love that nothing feels hurried. We kiss like we have all the time in the world, and I can’t help but hope that’s the case.
Eventually, I pull away and rest my chin against his chest. “I’m hungry so I’m going to go grab us some breakfast. What do you want?”
Ryker smiles before tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I can go get us food.”
I shake my head. “No, I’ll get it. Just tell me what you want.”
“Whatever you want.” He smiles and it’s just one of those moments where I realize that I’m going to think about this manfor the rest of my life. I’m going to remember the way he looked in bed, completely naked with hair tousled from my fingers, and a smile that reaches into my chest and grabs me by the heart.
I lean in and give him one more kiss against the lips before I slide out of bed. Before I leave his room, I reach into his dresser and grab one of his T-shirts to wear. It’s an old Pembroke one that goes almost to my knees when I pull it on. I like wearing something of his. Smelling like him. It feels right.
“Be right back,” I tell Ryker, opening his door and stepping outside.
I walk down the hallway, unable to wipe the smile off my face.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. I knew Ryker and I had chemistry, but being with him now feels different than the night we first met. It feels like more, and while it’s scary and something completely new to me, it’s something I don’t want to run from. I want to keep exploring what’s happening between us.
I’m still smiling as I walk into the kitchen, and I’m met with the last sight I expected to see.
My feet abruptly stop and my stomach drops.
Sitting at the counter are two familiar faces.
Ryker’s dad.
And mine.
“Camille,” Dad gets out, his voice void of any emotion. He stares at me down his nose, disappointment written all over his face as he takes in what I’m wearing. “Care to explain why you’ve been ignoring my calls?”
I let out the smallest breath of relief. If he’s only lecturing me on the missed calls, that means he doesn’t know what’s happened between me and Ryker. I don’t know why both our fathers are here unannounced, but that’s something I can figureout and handle. I just can’t have them know how unprofessional things have become here.
“Sorry,” I mutter, not knowing what else to say. I’m still too wrapped up in Ryker to think of anything else.
