Page 94 of Cougar

Max’s eyes drop to the sheet cinched around my waist. “You’re screwing,” he finishes.

I open my mouth to argue, but Emerson beats me to it.

“Spare me your judgment, Max. We’re adults, and it’s none of your business.” She shoulders past him and storms out the front door.

Max turns his angry glare on me. “My sister’s not one of your playthings, Cam.”

“Of course not.” I rake my fingers through my bed hair and blow out a breath. “You wouldn’t understand, but it’s different with her.”

“Try me.”

“I’m in love with her.”

* * *

Emerson

Sitting across from my mother, I glance down at my untouched sandwich, my stomach in knots. We’d spent the early part of the day shopping for the homecoming dinner party, and now we’re having lunch at the same bistro where Cam brought me.

My fingers curl into the napkin on my lap. “Mother, I have something to tell you.”

She leans in slightly, brows pinched with concern. “What is it?”

I inhale a long deep breath through my nose and blow it out slowly. “I’ve been spending time with Cam.”

Her concerned expression morphs into confusion. “I know.”

I narrow my eyes at her skeptically. “Max told you?” My brother called me earlier to tell me that he’s not judging me, but to be careful. Meaning he doesn’t agree but he’s going to keep his opinion to himself. Works for me.

“Honey, you’ve lost me. Told me what?”

I look around at the other patrons who seem to be engrossed in their own private conversations. Leaning in, I whisper, “I slept with Cam.” She just stares at me, so I continue, “Well… there wasn’t any sleeping involved.” I flick my wrist. “You know what I mean.”

She’s still just staring at me.

“Please say something,” I plead.

The corners of her mouth tip down slightly. “I don’t really know what to say.”

Propping an elbow on the table, I press my fingers to my forehead. “You’re disappointed.”

“I’m not disappointed at all. I’m shocked. Cam always had a little bit of a crush on you when he was a teenager. I thought it was cute the way he would look at you like you were the rock star.” She laughs, but it’s obvious she’s holding something back.

“What is it?” I press.

She leans in, resting her forearms on the table. “I’m just a little concerned. This situation is different from your friendship with Elizabeth. If things don’t work out between you and Cam, it will affect everyone and likely ruin his friendship with Liam. If things do work out, which I really hope they do, it’s still going to affect his friendship with Liam.”

She’s right. I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially my little brother.

“It’s only happened a couple of times. I’ll end it now and Liam won’t even have to know.” I shake my head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. He’s way too young for me anyway.”

“Honey, stop. I’m not suggesting you end anything. You’re both adults who can think for yourselves. Clearly he makes you happy, because I haven’t seen you smile as much as you have today in a very long time.”

“Then why do I feel guilty?”

“Because Marcus is the only man you’ve ever been with,” she replies.

“Or maybe it’s because my husband died eight months ago. I should be grieving, not sexing up a twenty-eight-year-old playboy.”

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