Page 46 of All Mine

“I have no idea what I’m doing here,” I said when he opened the door.

“You’re just in time. Do you like Chinese food?” His stare raked over me before he stepped to the side, motioning me inside. He’d changed from the clothes he’d worn earlier to a pair of red and black checkered pajama pants and a gray T-shirt. Better than the boxers he’d worn the last time I was there.

“Yeah. Nice jammies,” I said.

“Is that your spy disguise?” he asked, nodding to the sunglasses and hat that I wore.

My stomach flopped. I glanced around the hallway. What if someone spotted me here? There were plausible explanations for my visit. But, who’d believe those?

“I can’t stay,” I said, entering the room. “I have a bakery to open in the morning.”

“I already set the alarm for two forty-five.” He held up a trifold menu. “Let’s order food.”

“It’d be easier to be at my place.” I set my purse on the desk.

“My back couldn’t take two nights in a row on that so-called mattress of yours.” He studied the menu.

His room was spacious for a hotel room with a coffee table in the middle of a seating area complete with a small couch, two armchairs, and a television. A desk sat along another wall and cabinetry to store the coffeemaker, microwave, and mini-fridge. A huge king-size bed loomed large next to a window with floral print draperies and blackout curtains.

“I’m not sure what I’m doing here,” I said. My knees wobbled with nervous energy, and I sank into the desk chair to avoid a mishap.

“Well, I hope it’s picking out what you want for dinner.” He handed over the menu.

There was only one Chinese restaurant in town, owned by the Zhou family and run by their daughter Lisa. I’d gone to high school with Lisa. We’d been on the same cheer squad for a couple of years, but she was a year older.

“There’s a good chance I’ll know the delivery driver, so I’ll have to stay out of sight. Otherwise, the whole town will know I’m here.”

“Would that be a bad thing?” he asked, rubbing his hands along my shoulders, then pressed his thumbs into the knotted muscles next to my shoulder blades.

“Well, I did just organize a protest against your company a few hours ago. It would seem a bit flaky to be in your hotel room, right?”

“We could be just working out the details of our truce.”

“Is that what this is?” I bit back a moan as his fingers worked magic on my shoulders.

“Yeah.”

“What are your terms?”

“Food order first, then we can hash out terms, and by the time the food arrives, we’ll be set.” He let go of my shoulders and crossed to the couch.

“Fine.” I sighed and followed, handing him the menu. “I’ll have twenty-five.”

He ordered the food, then patted the couch next to him, but I took the chair.

“I’ll negotiate from here.”

“Afraid of my persuasive capabilities?” He grinned. And yes, I was, but I’d never admit it.

I scoffed. “You’re not as good as you think.”

“Am I better?” Camden sank onto the back of the couch, propping a sock-covered foot on the coffee table.

“It’s not charming to be so egotistical.”

“You say egotistical. I say it’s opinion based on reality.”

I laughed. “You don’t live in reality.”

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