Page 17 of Wild and Bright

She’d never think someone like Cam would have any interest in someone who looks like me.

I stand up and march to the front door, trying hard to wipe the childish smile from my face. Without glancing in my mom’s direction, I meet Cam’s dark gaze. “Should we go to my room and talk?”

Cam’s brows draw together, a question in his eyes. “No.” His gaze drifts to my mom and then back to me. “Let’s go outside.”

“Good idea. That will give us privacy.” I’m barely able to keep my lips from twitching.

As I open the door, I strain my focus to my peripheral vision, and I can see that my mom’s expression is a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

“Why are you smiling?” Cam asks as we walk to the front lawn.

“Because my mom would lose her shit if she knew why you’re here.”

“You have such a weird relationship with her. I’ve never met anyone who talks about their mom the way you do. It’s like you’re both mean girls.”

“She’s the mean girl. I only act in self-defense.”

His lips quirk. “You can be pretty mean sometimes, too.”

I wave a hand. “It’s just insecurity. Look at my nose.” I gesture at my face. “Anyone with a nose like this would be mean sometimes. I’m angry at God for being so unfair.”

He’s quiet for a beat, and when my gaze roams his face, I find something that takes me completely off guard. His smile looks almost…

Tender.

“You still have that thing about your nose, huh?”

“Of course.” I lower my gaze to the grass, trying to hide how his uncharacteristic expression is making me lightheaded. “Have you seen my mom’s old modeling pictures? Do you remember what she looked like even ten years ago? She was a fucking bombshell. Why didn’t I get that shit? Why did Logan get her face? He’s a man.” I shake my head. “He doesn’t even need it.”

“You’re just as beautiful as your mom used to be.”

My lips part. “Are you out of your mind?”

He stares back at me steadily. “I prefer the way you look, actually.”

I scowl. “Now I’m less flattered by the fact that you’re attracted to me and want me to be your mistress. You obviously have horrendous taste, and as a beauty influencer, that means something to me. I’m not sure I even trust you as an artist anymore.”

That affectionate smile grows, and his eyes even crinkle a little around the edges. Who is this person?

His face grows serious. “You haven’t given me your answer.”

And that’s when I hear it. The urgency in his tone.

When I give him a glance over, my suspicion is confirmed. Though his face gives nothing away, his thumb is drumming a quick beat on his thigh, which is unusual for Cam. He’s usually so still all the time.

He wants this. He really wants this.

The thought makes me hot everywhere.

“My answer is yes.”

His mouth doesn’t move, but his eyelids grow—ever so slightly—heavier. My cheeks grow warm under his gaze.

“Good,” he says quickly, as if snapping out of his daze. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his car keys. “Come on.” He gestures with his head toward the black car parked on the other side of the street. “I have a meeting set up with my lawyer.”

With that, he turns around and marches away.

After a beat, I start following frantically behind. “Wait! We have to talk about something first.”

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