Chapter 7
Bundaberg Rum
I walk over to the table where Tyler and his mates are sitting, trying—and failing—to wipe the smile off my face.
“Let me guess,” Tyler says, already grinning. “You met Cammie?”
I tilt my head. “Cammie? Oh Camille? You know her?”
He laughs, rubbing a hand over his chin like it’s the funniest thing.
“Yeah, I know her. She’s my hairdresser.
I’ve been secretly in love with her since I met her.
” He presses a dramatic hand to his chest and looks up like he’s been struck by Cupid himself.
I just stare at him, not knowing if he’s joking around or serious. Who knows with Tyler.
“She’s great,” he goes on. “Beautiful. Kind. But don’t even bother, bro. She just got out of a really bad relationship.”
I hold up my hands. “I didn’t say anything. Maybe I just wanna be her friend.”
Lie. Big lie. Tyler folds his arms across his chest and gives me the look, the kind that says you’re full of shit without saying a word.
“Lucas,” he says slowly, “friends don’t look at each other the way you two just did. Trust me. Give her some time before you try anything. And for the record, I got dibs when she’s ready.” He laughs like it’s a joke.
“Well,” I try to keep my tone easy going. “I only want to get to know her as a friend right now… if she wants to get to know me too.”
Tyler throws his arm around my shoulder. “It’s alright, Emerson. Chill. I was just kidding. I have my eyes on someone else.” His eyes drift to the other side of the bar to the blonde bartender.
Oh, thank God.
I lift my glass and take a quick skull of Bundaberg rum, the heat sinking through my chest.
My eyes drift back toward the bar. Toward the real life angel. Camille.
I didn’t expect her tonight. That face. That energy. That pull. I definitely didn’t expect this. This magnetic feeling I feel towards her.
I don’t know what it is yet. But I already know one thing.
I want more.
“Please tell me you’re gonna stay mate. Don’t just ditch after you’ve eaten like you normally do.” Tyler teases.
He’s not wrong. I normally always leave early.
When I have a weekend off, I’d rather spend my time doing pretty much anything else but this.
Going out drinking is not something I add to my agenda very often.
But with it being Tyler’s birthday, I know he’s not gonna let that slide.
And I’m starting to admit that I really did need a night out, especially now my curiosity is peaked by Camille. Maybe I will stay.
“Fine. But I’m not getting drunk. I can’t be hung over tomorrow and I need to drive my ute home, but I’ll stay for a while, alright? That make you happy?” I chuckle.
“Fuck yeah it does.” He says as he sips his beer.
Theo—our apprentice from work—shouts out to the group while holding up his phone, “Let’s play a game of Picolo.”
I look over at the bar again, taking another look at Camille. I definitely plan to stick around tonight.