Page 31 of Staging Love
"Why haven't you been in a long-term relationship before?" Camilla asked gently. "I know you explained that nothing ever worked out, but why is that? It just seems so unlikely that someone as amazing as you wouldn't be taken."
Jade was quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting to the mountain vista before them. "It's a fair question," she said finally. "The truth is, I've always been waiting for something... extraordinary. A connection that feels effortless and profound, and I never wanted to settle for less than that indescribable spark." She paused, her eyes meeting Camilla’s. "I feel that spark with you."
Camilla leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Jade's lips. “I've read about this kind of connection in books,” she whispered. “I've seen it in movies, heard about it in songs. But I never fully understood it until now." She shook her head, a small laugh escaping her. "I always thought it was just artistic exaggeration, that real life couldn't possibly matchup to those descriptions. But being with you... I finally get it."
“I love that.” Jade smiled. "I have another question. Be honest - had you really never had an inkling that you might be interested in women before?"
Camilla laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly? No, I hadn't. Or at least, I'd never let myself consider it." She paused, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Although, now that I think about it, seeing you at the coffee shop always did brighten my day more than I cared to admit."
Jade's eyebrow arched teasingly. "Oh really? So it wasn't just my barista skills that kept you coming back?"
"Maybe not," Camilla admitted with a grin. "I just never analyzed it until now. You were this bright spot in my day, and I didn't question why."
“That’s cute,” Jade said. “Can I ask you another question?”
“Go ahead.”
"What's your biggest concern? About us, I mean."
Camilla considered the question carefully. "I suppose... I'm worried about messing it up because I'm so new to all of this. Not just relationships but being with a woman. What about you? What's your biggest concern?"
"Honestly?” Jade said. “It's the wealth disparity between us. It's not just a small difference - it's enormous. Bicycle versus private jet enormous." She gestured vaguely in the direction of the Parkes estate. "Your family is going to find out eventually that acting is not just a hobby and that I'm far from wealthy myself, and that might cause problems. And I worry it might cause issues between us too. I can't take you on fancy dates or buy you expensive gifts."
Camilla felt a pang in her chest at Jade's words, and she took Jade's hands in hers, meeting her gaze steadily. "Jade,listen to me. Does that really matter to you? Because it doesn't matter to me at all."
"But-"
"No buts," Camilla interrupted. "I've had wealth my entire life, and you know what? It's never made me truly happy. I can see that now. These past few days with you have brought me more joy than all the fancy dinners and expensive gifts ever could."
Jade's expression softened, but Camilla could still see a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"Look," Camilla continued, "I fell for you, Jade. Not your bank account, not your social status. You. Your kindness, your humor, your passion for life. That's what matters to me."
"But what about your family?" Jade pressed. "Won't they expect you to be with someone... well, more like them?"
Camilla shook her head firmly. "My family wants me to be happy. And if they can't see how happy you make me, then that's their problem, not ours." She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Besides, Uncle Robert already adores you. I'm pretty sure he'd disown me if I let you go."
That finally coaxed a laugh out of Jade. "He is pretty great, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Camilla agreed. "And so are you. So let's make a deal, okay? We take this one day at a time. We focus on us. The rest of it - the money, the family expectations, all of it - we'll figure it out together. Deal?"
"Deal," Jade whispered.
“Now, there is one burning question I’ve been dying to ask.” Camilla shot Jade a mischievous smile. “That amazing thing you do with your tongue…” She grinned, her cheeks turning pink. “Can you teach me how to do that?”
Jade burst out in laughter. “You, Miss Parkes, are sogay!” She got up and held out a hand to pull Camilla up too. “How about we discuss that tonight, in the dark under the covers? We should probably head back; Theresa will have a fit if we’re late for breakfast too.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The scent of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and coffee wafted through the Parkes family estate, drawing everyone to the dining room for Christmas breakfast. Camilla entered hand-in-hand with Jade, both still flushed from their cold morning walk. As they took their seats at the table, Camilla smiled at the excitement buzzing around them. She could finally relax and be entirely herself and that felt wonderful.
Emma and Jack were practically vibrating with anticipation, their eyes continuously darting to the great room where a mountain of colorfully wrapped presents were scattered beneath the Christmas tree. Even as one of the staff members set a plate of golden-brown cinnamon rolls in front of them, their attention remained fixed on the gifts.
"Now, remember," Theresa said sternly, catching her children's wandering gazes, "we open presents after breakfast. And that means eating everything on your plates."
Emma's face fell at her mother's words. She had a notorious reputation for being a picky eater, often leaving mostof her vegetables untouched. The young girl's eyes lit up as Jade leaned in conspiratorially.
"Hey, Emma," she whispered, just loud enough for Camilla to overhear, "I bet I can finish my plate before you can. But if you win, I'll let you open my present to you first. What do you say?"
