Page 43 of Entwined With You

“I hate drinking out of plastic,” she says, then opens the Coke and pours it into the bottle that I hold still for her. “Honestly, the more you get to know me, the more of my charming and lovable quirks you’ll get acquainted with.”

Despite my lingering jealousy—yes, I can admit it—I smile. “Looking forward to it,” I say, surprised that I mean it.

She takes a sip of her soda, and for a moment, silence lingers. I’m not sure if I’m desperate for an answer or just looking to fill the quiet, but I hear myself blurt out, “So, did you guys date?”

If Cami thinks the question is rude, she doesn’t show it. She just shakes her head, as if the question is totally whacky. Relief starts to flood my body, only to shift to an icy chill when she says. “We slept together for a while, but it was just a friends-with-benefits thing. Never serious.”

“Oh,” I say.

She cocks her head. “It was over years and years ago.”

“Oh, please,” I say, trying to sound casual. “It doesn’t matter to me. And it’s none of my business anyway.”

Cami nods. “Well, then I really shouldn’t have said anything.” I see the hint of a grin tugging at her mouth. “I’m sure Brax will be annoyed as hell with me, but I only mentioned it because I thought it was your business.”

I frown, completely confused. “What do you mean?”

She shrugs, then takes a long sip of soda before responding. “Just that I figured it was only fair that you know. I mean, since you’re attracted to him.”

“What?” I almost choke on the sip of water I’d just taken. “I’m not attracted to him.”

Cami actually laughs. “Oh, please. Cons were never my thing. You have to be able to read such subtle nuances in people. But even I can read you well enough to know that you’re lying. And why wouldn’t you be? He’s awesome.”

“But not for you.” I make it a statement, not a question.

She lifts her hands in a what can you do gesture. “Oh, I love him. I just don’t love him. He’s my best friend, but I’m not in love with him. And I never have been.”

I want to ignore the powerful wave of relief that threatens to knock me over. I shouldn’t care who Brax loves or who he sleeps with. I’m only here for the mission, then I’m going back to New York and the thing I really do love—my job at Group Ultra.

I want to ignore it, but I can’t. Because it’s real. I’m happy—hell, I’m giddy—to learn that there’s nothing but friendship between Brax and Cami.

I only realizehow deep I’ve slipped into the emotional danger zone when I hear myself asking, “Is he seeing someone else, then?”

She shakes her head, but she doesn’t laugh this time. Instead, her expression is as serious as I’ve seen since I met her. “I wish he was. He needs to get over her, but I’m starting to wonder if he ever will.”

My mouth has gone completely dry. “Sabrina.”

She nods, then looks at my face and winces. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have brought her up. I know it hurts you, too.”

“No,” I say, forcing a smile. “It’s okay. And—and I do feel bad for him, not being able to move on. But in some horrible, selfish way, it makes me happy to know that Sabrina had someone who loved her so, so much.”

I taste salt and realize that I’m crying. I frown, then wipe the tears away. “Sorry,” I say, but Cami just shakes her head, her smile tender.

I wish Brax and the others would join us so that we can get on with it. I want to talk work so that I can stop the spiral of thoughts and emotions twirling in my head. Because right now, I don’t know what to think.

“What about you?” I blurt, wanting desperately to change the subject. “You’re not with Brax, but are you with someone?”

“No,” Cami says. The word is firm and seems to hold an encyclopedia’s worth of meaning. I want to ask, but I already know that I won’t get an answer.

Thankfully, the awkward silence is broken when Brax returns. “I finally got a text back from Darrin. He was in a dead zone in the canyons. Got stuck behind a wreck. Said he’ll be another fifteen minutes at least. I have a feeling Darrin may be in that same traffic jam.”

“In that case, I’m going to find a restroom,” Cami says. I’m about to say that I’ll join her, but Brax grins at me and suggests we hop on a ride.

“Seriously?”

“Why not? Everyone else on the Pier is having fun. And Brina loved amusement parks.” His eyes narrow as he studies me. “Did you two have that in common?”

“Hardly. They’ve always scared me. Not the ride itself,” I amend. “The fact that I have no idea who’s maintaining them.”