Page 26 of The Wrong One

Ramsey and Cameron were six years older than I was. Ramsey was more than just a brother. He was my protector. He managed to pretty much raise me when our parents were always on the road. He looked out for me and made sure there was food in the cupboards, and I did my homework. He helped me with my homework. He drove me to dentist appointments and went to my school functions. Cam was often around as backup. When Ramsey couldn’t pick me up after school because he was in class, he would have Cam do it.

Right now, I had to recognize I was vulnerable. I was alone and feeling jilted. The feelings I was having for Cam were misguided. They weren’t real. I was enjoying the moment. More like the attention. It was nice to have a man’s attention. Especially a man like Cam.

“I bet you didn’t miss the winters,” Cam said.

I laughed. “No, I definitely did not miss the winters. But I did miss the charm of this small town.”

“I don’t think most people would call Boston a small town.” He laughed.

“I guess our little part of it feels small,” I said. “I did miss the people I grew up with. We did have a little community. When I first moved out to California, I felt very alone.”

“You’re brave,” he said. “You packed up and moved away from the only home you knew. You spread your wings and flew.”

“I did feel like I was flying.” I laughed. “It was scary but in a good way. I loved the excitement of being in a new place. It didn’t take me long to make friends.”

“I’m glad you’re back,” he said with a smile. “It’s nice to see a familiar face.

I couldn’t help but smile back. Cameron had always been charming. His brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and his smile could make any girl’s heart skip a beat. But I couldn’t let myself fall for him. Not now. Not ever.

“Thank you,” I said. “I’m surprised you never found your way out of Boston. You always seemed like you were going to be the one who left here.”

He shook his head. “I thought about it, but I realized I was right where I was supposed to be. Ramsey and I started the company, and we got this sweet deal with MIT. There was never a reason to leave. I do dread winters, and when I’m knee-deep in snow, I tell myself I’m going to move before the next winter.”

I laughed. “I am kind of looking forward to winter. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to experience snow.”

“It’s not so bad now that I have the means to work from home,” he said. “I recently moved into a new place. I never have to leave my building if I don’t want to.”

“Spoiled,” I teased. “I have to leave to get cat food.”

“You have a cat?”

“No.” I shook my head. “But I’m enabling a cat’s obesity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There is a cat in our building,” I said. “Technically, it’s not in our building. I’ve only ever seen him on the fire escape. It’s cheating on its owner with me and I’m not even a little bit ashamed.”

He laughed. “Cats have zero loyalty. That’s why I’m a dog person. Cats are whores.”

I burst into laughter. “You’re very certain about that.”

“You just told me you’re enabling a cat to cheat on its owner,” he shot back.

I hung my head in shame. “I know. I’m terrible. I have a feeling that damn cat probably has many mistresses. I’m a sucker. I bought it some expensive cat food. I’ve named it.”

“Don’t you think it might confuse the cat if it has two names?” he asked with his lips quirking.

“Just think if there are other mistresses in the building,” I joked. “That cat might have twenty homes.”

“Is it a fat cat?” he asked.

“It’s a little chunky.” I nodded.

“What did you name it?”

“Marmalade,” I answered before bursting into laughter.

“What the hell?”

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