Page 49 of Midnights
Uh-huh. That’s the story she’s sticking to?
I arch a brow, smiling. “Oh yeah.So much fun.” I lean back, crossing my arms, waiting for therealtalk to start. “That’s the official version? Have you been texting Cam?”
The way she freezes for half a second before schooling her expression tells me everything I need to know.
“Maybe.” She sighs in surrender. “Yes. He texted me last night.”
A grin spreads across her face and her eyes light up in a way that tells meexactlyhow those texts have been going.
She bites her lip, trying and failing to suppress a smile. “Look, he’s really nice.”
I raise a brow.
“And fun to look at,” she adds, caving instantly.
I burst out laughing. “Oh,thatyou made abundantly clear. Multiple times.”
Rachel huffs, but the look on her face is pure mischief. “Listen, I’mallowedto appreciate a pretty man, okay?”
I shake my head, laughing. “And isn’t thatlovelyfor you? We’ve been here, what?Forty-eight hoursand you’re already soaked over a guy you just met?” I toss my hands in the air. “And before you get all defensive,same. UGH. What are we even doing?”
Rachel opens her mouth like she's about to argue, but her face shifts. She exhales, shrugging. “Okay, fine. You’re right. I’m totallywetjust thinking about him. But that doesn't mean anything.”
Her voice is lighter, but there’s something else beneath it. She pauses, chewing on her bottom lip before finally saying what I knew was coming.
“I have Bobby.”
And just like that, her mood shifts. The undercurrent of guilt she’s been pushing down finally breaks the surface. I don’t say anything right away. Becauseyeah,we do know. And it’s more than just a mess.
Then she tilts her head, giving me a pointed look. “You, on the other hand, could actually do something about it if you wanted to. You’re just choosingnotto.” She grins, leaning back with a satisfied look. “Good luck, girl. You’re gonna need it. I'veseenthat man.”
I laugh, shaking my head, but her words sit heavier than I’d like. Because she’s right. I’m actively avoiding something I can’tignore forever.
“I'm only going to indulge inlooking.” I declare, more for my own benefit than hers. “No more touching.”
“And now that my phone is lost, that part’s easy.” I add.
Rachel arches an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Ummm… Isawyou last night. Don’t act like you’re swearing off men when you were practically climbing him like a damn tree.”
Heat rushes up my neck.Busted.
“I wasnotclimbing him like a tree.” I protest, even though I’m already laughing. “That would’ve requiredhaving enough feeling in my legs to climb.”
Rachel loses it, doubling over as she cackles. “Rave, I don’t know what to tell you. You’rescrewed.”
She sighs dramatically, twirling a lock of her hair. “As for Cam? He’s so funny. I thought he was hilarious last night, but I wasn't sure if that was just the alcohol talking.” Her grin widens. “I mean, it’snotlike we’re getting married or anything. Since there’sBobby,obviously.” She waves a hand like that’s a footnote rather than the main issue. “It’s not like that.”
She pauses, sighing. “But he’s just so damn beautiful to look at. And that accent?”
I snort. “Umm, Rach? I hate to break it to you, but you've said that abouteveryman you’ve climbed.”
Her mouth drops open. “That is completelyuntrue. I’venevercalled another manbeautiful.” She shakes her head, still caught up in whatever fantasy world she’s living in. “Cam is beautifulin amanlyway. These Scottish men are something else.”
I can’t help but laugh. She’s not wrong. Andthatis exactly why I’m on a hiatus from men.All men. Scottish, American, mermen. Every last one of them.
By the time we’re ready to head out, I do one last walkthrough, scanning the place for my missing phone. Still no sign of it, but I refuse to let it ruin my day.
Rachel’s tapping away on her phone, smiling. “Let me just send off a quick text, and we’re good to go.”
