Page 51 of Why Cheese?
I’m shaking so badly I nearly vibrate out of Cam’s hands. “I swear, I didn’t. I forgot about the realtor and—”
“Shh.” He takes both of my hands. “It’s all right. I believe you.”
“Me as well,” Brie pipes up. Both of the men turn to Cheddy who’s downed half of a burrito, still sans pants.
“What are we talking about?” he asks.
“Chedward has faith in you, too,” Cam says.
“Course I do. Look at the size of this. It’s bigger than my fist!” Cheddy crumples his hand into a fist then holds it against the remaining burrito.
“A resounding endorsement. No one who brings us burritos can be evil. What else is there? I’m starving.” Cam joins Cheddy, or tries to stop him from gorging on everything.
I can’t stop chewing on my thumbnail while staring down the ladder. Any second now, Roq’s going to climb back up and shout at me. Tell me that I’m a cruel liar. Maybe even throw me out. Seize this place for himself and…
“Vi? Are you okay?” The soft question from Brie yanks me out of my spiral. Staring into his worried face, I wonder how many times he called for me.
“Um, yes.” I try to smile to assure him, but it turns into a manic clown grin and my leg bounces until I nearly vibrate out of my flats.
“I was wondering where this bag goes?” He zeroes in on the one I’d been most excited to give them five minutes before. Now I can barely lift my head. Stupid. I should have told the realtor. It was my job and I just messed it up like always.
Pinching my arm, I get out, “It’s for you, actually.”
Brie carefully undoes the knot in the handles and peers in. His face becomes a rainbow of joy as he yanks out a couple of canvas squares and a collection of paints. “This is mine?” he asks.
“And it’s not even his birthday,” Cam says. “Or is it?”
“Oh, my goodness. This is…” Brie runs over, the canvas, brushes, and paints locked in his arms. Even as he juggles to hold everything, he stops before me. “Thank you.” Brie kisses me on the cheek then he zips back to the counter to break into the paints.
“That’s hardly how one shows gratitude.” Cam laughs and spins me in place. “Allow me.” He kisses me hard, pressing a hand to the small of my back so I naturally bend backward. As he chases with his lips and tongue, I keep tipping lower until I risk a peek to catch the basement.
Oh shit. Is he climbing the ladder?
I jerk out of his hands, stumbling across the floor. Nervously scratching my arm, I try to smile at Cam. “Thank you, that was very nice.”
“I see.” Cam’s easy, breezy mode turns dark and inscrutable. I do my best to not stare at the ladder while I keep picking at the damn worry spot just above an old mole.
“Chedward, what do you say to us taking a little excursion for the night?”
“Sounds fun. Where are we going?”
“Wherever the wind takes us. And, of course, we could certainly use your expertise in guiding us, my lady.” Cam extends his palm to me and bows. I glance my fingers across his hand all my certainty vanished. His hand clings to mine and he pulls me closer, even if I can’t stop looking back at the ladder.
If I show him my phone, he’ll understand…
“The evening air will be chilled, so I recommend you dress for it.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Cheddy rams both feet into his pants and pulls the long zipper. “Save the sausage for the pudding.”
Cam moans. “Dear lord. Brie, will you be joining us?”
He jerks up from the five canvases he’s laid out. A brush with a dab of black paint rests between his fingers. “Ah, no thank you, but do have fun.”
“We most certainly shall.” Cam waves his hand like he’s tipping his hat, then he cups over my arm and pulls me toward the door.
“What about…?” I point to the basement and Cam frowns.
“Even if he hadn’t wedged his head up his backside, that man is deathly allergic to fun. We are better off leaving him to stew for the night. Trust me.”
