Page 140 of Head Over Heels

Cameron gave me a pleased smile. “This is a surprise.”

“I wanted to say thank you to everyone for working on this so quickly,” I said.

He snagged a chocolate-covered donut and ate about half of it in one bite. As I stared at his mouth, those talented lips of his stretched in a dangerous smirk. “Careful, duchess, you’re going to make me do something crazy if you keep looking at me like that.”

I glanced away, cheeks hot and my breath coming in embarrassing pants because now I fantasized about Cameron and chocolate and creative uses for sprinkles. He laughed as he backed away from the donuts.

“This is Jax,” Cameron said, gesturing to Tall, Dark, and Tatted behind him. “Don’t be surprised if he’s unable to form a single polite sentence.”

Jax shoved his shoulder against Cameron’s, giving me a short nod as he took a donut out of the box. “Thank you,” he said in a deep voice. I watched him carefully as I smiled, and just like Poppy predicted, he didn’t give her a single glance before he turned and walked away. My eyes cut over to hers, and she arched an eyebrow.

I told you so, her facial expression screamed.

My lips rolled together to hide my smile, and she sighed audibly.

As I clutched the box in my hands, Ian approached slowly. I let out a slow breath and met his gaze.

“I heard you’re the one who built that new railing on the stairs,” I said. “It’s stunning.”

“Just part of the job,” he said humbly. “Glad you like it.” He snagged a donut and gave me a quick nod. “Thanks.”

Before he could turn away, I stepped forward. “I know you and I didn’t get off to a great start, and I think it’s because we’re fairly similar in how we approach new people.”

Ian’s eyes were wary, and mine probably looked similar. “Could be.”

“That’s why I wanted to thank you for something.”

He paused, dark eyes thoughtful. “For what?”

I closed the box and set it on a sawhorse next to me. “For cutting out those height marks that you found.” Carefully, I clasped my hands in front of me. “You didn’t have to do that, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness, because it would’ve been very easy for you to ignore it, based on our earlier interactions.”

Ian sighed, his frame softening slightly as he nodded. “I’d want that piece of my family, if I didn’t have much of them.” Then he looked around. “It’s a good house, you can tell they loved it in little pieces like that.”

My throat was unbearably tight, and I swallowed past the lingering emotion lodged there. “I think you’re right. I hope whoever lives here next loves it in the same way.”

His jaw worked, but he didn’t say anything. Then he gave me a thoughtful look, and lifted the donut. “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cameron’s chest brushed against my back, and he came to stand next to me. “What was that?” he asked, voice low and quiet as he spoke close to my ear.

I watched Ian walk back up the stairs, my chest feeling warm and happy and light. “A truce, I think.”

“A truce with Ian,” he murmured. “Now why does that terrify me?”

I laughed quietly. “Maybe because he’d give me the longest list of your faults?”

Cameron sighed. “Probably.”

I turned and looked up into his face, fully knowing I couldn’t kiss him in front of the crew like I might want to. “I decided something today,” I told him.

He was staring at my mouth like he was having similar thoughts. “What’s that?”

My hand briefly toyed with the edge of his sleeve where it was rolled up on his forearms. “I think it does make sense for me to stay with you at your place.”

Cameron’s eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Yeah?”

He sounded so very smug, and I narrowed my eyes in response. “Yes, but it has nothing to do with your bedroom skills.”

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