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She locked the door to her shop and hurried to her car. She had no idea why she was in a hurry all of a sudden, but she felt like there was something in the air that was making her lose her mind. She needed to get away from the boardwalk and away from anywhere that Enzo was, so she could shake the disappointment wringing up her insides that his lips didn’t aim a few inches to the left.
The drive through town took much longer than necessary with a mix of people leaving the beaches and others returning to the boardwalk to grab dinner. By the time she got to Ella’s she was mentally exhausted. She threw her car in park and rested her head against the head rest, giving herself a second to get a grip.
With a deep breath, she opened the door and walked the pathway to the house. Ella answered before Cami’s hand came into contact with the knob.
Her long brown hair hung in beach waves over her shoulders, and she was in a pair of cutoff shorts and a green tank top that complimented her sun darkened skin. She had minimal makeup with just a touch of gloss on her lips. “I was wondering when you would get here,” she said.
“Sorry, I got held up at the shop. You ready?”
“Just have to grab my bag out of my room.” Ella moved out of the doorway, and Cami stepped inside. Her eyes immediately landed on the framed photos on the small table in the foyer. She’d been in this house a million times and never really stopped to glance at the pictures, but now all she could focus on was a picture of Enzo at his high school graduation.
He was handsome even then, and she remembered thinking so, but he had been older and wouldn’t even give her a second glance. It was amazing how time changed things.
“Camille!” Mr. Moretti came into the foyer. “I thought I heard that beautiful voice of yours.” His words were tinged by his thick Italian accent.
Ella laughed and shook her head. “I’ll be right back.” She held her finger up at her grandfather. “Behave yourself.”
He swatted at the air. “Oh hush.”
Cami draped her arm over Mr. Moretti’s shoulders. “He is always the perfect gentleman.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He patted her hand that hung over his shoulder, and they walked together into the dining room where the table had been transformed for poker night with a deck of cards and poker chips. Bags of chips and empty bowls sat to the left while rock glasses and bottles of liquor sat to the right.
“You still know how to party, I see,” Cami said.
“The minute I forget, throw dirt on me because I’ll be six feet under.”
Cami laughed.
“So did you get that tire fixed?”
What in the heck was going on here? People were acting like she was driving around with no doors. It was just a tire.
“Not yet, but your grandson is nice enough to remind me almost every day.”
“I’m happy he found you. No girl should be stranded on the side of the road.”
“You don’t think I can take care of myself?” Cami flexed her arm and pointed at her muscle. “Look at these guns.”
“Oh, I know you can.” He chuckled. “I’d feel sorry for the fella who ever tries to cross you.”
“That’s right.He’dbe sorry.” She sat down on one of the dining room chairs, and Vinny followed. “What time are the boys coming over?”
Vinny adjusted his watch on his wrist. “Half hour or so, but Dominick’s always late.”
“There’s one in every group,” Cami said and flashed her gaze to Ella.
“I’m sorry,” Ella blurted. “I know. It’s just Lucas called. I’m ready though. Let’s go.”
“I don’t know. I’m rather enjoying the company of your grandfather.” Cami gave Vinny a wink, and he blushed.
“You girls go on and have fun.”
Cami didn’t know how much fun they’d have looking at coffee tables, but she was sure she and Ella would manage to find a way to make it so. She rested a hand on Vinny’s shoulder, and he took it in his own giving it a loving squeeze.
“Now you behave yourselves.”
“Never,” Cami said.
