Page 88 of Lady and the Camp
“Oh?” He seemed tentative to share.
“Yeah.”
He said nothing further. So that was that. “I should still—”
“Don’t go.” His voice came low, deep. Shadows crossed his face from sunlight escaping through tree branches overhead. He maintained a calmness, a steadiness I couldn’t deny eased my worries.
He made me feel wanted in a real and natural way, unlike the artificial world surrounding Kristoff. I’d fallen for Kristoff’s charms and the dazzle of celebrity, but I was falling for Lucas for every opposite reason. His lack of charisma was charming in itself; I had to work for a smile, a laugh, but when he did, he meant it. Lucas admitted he didn’t always understand things I said, but he didn’t ask me to change either.
Moreso, I didn’t find myself molding my life around Lucas. Kristoff may have been my access to the Sheek deal, but I’d also stopped calling my friends and spent all my time with him. I’d poured myself entirely into my image, only to have it ruined by something I couldn’t control.
None of that happened with Lucas.
“I don’t want to go,” I told him. “But I have to.”
He grazed his hand across my cheek. Into my hair. His breath ghosted across my lips. “One more day. Please. Stay through the camp games. Then we can talk.”
One more day. It made sense. I wouldn’t have anywhere to go for the night anyway. Marcy was several hours’ drive from here. And I wouldn’t ask that of her unless it was an absolute emergency.
“Okay,” I found myself saying.
Our lips found each other’s. I escaped into the kiss. Relaxed into his embrace. He wanted me here. He wanted me.
He pulled back first and our comforting little bubble burst. His touch came warm and unbelievably tempting, but I could tell he hesitated. A guarded look crossed his face that told me he’d gotten my message. This was all temporary. Even if I didn’t leave tomorrow, eventually I would.
“Did you get my gift?” he asked, a total shift in gears.
“Huh? What gift?” My stomach did a little dance. I loved gifts. They didn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful.
“Remember I told you to check the camp office?”
“Umm…”
“The other day. I told you I had a surprise for you. I told you to check on Tuesday.”
Ah, the thing I agreed to but forgot about.
He unlocked the office and I followed. A cardboard shipping box sat on the table between Twila’s desk and his office.
Okay, no fancy wrapping, but it was the thought that counted.
Inside the box I uncovered…bug spray. Two slim cans. “How…thoughtful,” I said carefully.
Lucas grinned from ear to ear. “Did you see the label?Non-toxic. No harsh chemicals will touch your skin.”
That little buttery heart of mine softened a bit more.
Chapter 29
Lucas
TheSummerTrailGameskicked off after morning Mess. Brycen offered to bring our campers over using their camp’s pontoon party boat, but I declined. Adding a water hazard to an already busy day? No. Being dependent on them to return to our camp? Hard pass.
I headed over to the Trail Blazers with the kitchen crew and Shawn, the only one from meet-up group who didn’t have day job responsibilities today. So much for our increased muscle.
The remaining staff and the campers would take the camp bus the long way around the lake.
The Trail Blazers pulled out all the stops for our welcome. A balloon arch, tables with sports drinks, fresh fruit, and protein bars. Music blasted from an impressive sound system. Show-offs.
