Chapter 17
Stone
Camilla: SOS My parents didn’t go home. They’re here and want to come to the dance-off.
I read the message a couple of times before responding to Camilla.
She’s my fated mate. If I had any doubts, kissing her last night blew them away.
The moment our lips touched, my world tilted and spun backward.
An explosion detonated inside me. The rock-solid parts of me were reduced to rubble, making room for something new to grow.
I feel soft and squishy inside, and all I want to do is make Camilla smile.
Me: What time should I pick you up?
Camilla: Are you sure you’re okay with this?
Me: I’m all in.
Now all I have to do is wait for the hours to pass until I see her.
“HI,” I SAY, FEELING awkward as I look Camilla over before leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek.
She’s wearing a pair of tight jeans that hug her hips and have her booty begging me to squeeze it.
Her blouse is no better. Shades of pink and purple decorate the low-cut shirt.
I have a hard time keeping my eyes off of her, and my hands ache to touch her.
“It’s okay, they aren’t here,” she says, looking around me to make sure. “They’re going to meet us there.”
“We could pick them up.”
She shakes her head. “I’d rather not. Honestly, I’d rather they not come at all. It was never my intention to go tonight, but this will be better than suffering through an entire dinner with them.”
“I didn’t plan to go either,” I smile. “I’m only going for you.”
“Aren’t Cayden and Raven your friends?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know, this dance-off thing, it’s kind of corny. Not my style.”
“What? You’re not hungry to show off your moves?” She lifts her arms overhead and bumps my hip playfully with hers.
“Nah, I like to show my moves off in private.” I remember that I’m holding something behind my back. “Oh, these are for you.” I hand her a bouquet of mixed flowers I picked up earlier in the day.
Her face lights up with surprise as her warm chocolate eyes lock on mine. “Stone.”
Time stops. There’s a heavy pounding in my chest. I look at her lips and hold back from dipping my head down and stealing a taste.
“Thank you.” She offers a small smile, brings them to her nose, and sniffs. “This almost feels like a real date. Would you like to come in while I find something to put these in?”
“Sure.” I wipe my hands over my jeans.
“You really didn’t have to do this.” She says as she heads up the stairs. “You’re already doing so much. And I appreciate it.” She turns to look at me once we’re in her kitchen. “And I don’t just mean with my parents.”
“No problem.”
I shrug. There’s so much I want to say to her, but I can’t form the words.
Now that she’s in front of me, thoughts race through my mind so fast I can’t think straight.
I stay silent, afraid I’ll stumble over my words.
I never did mention the strange man looking into the window.
I need to tell her about that and ask about her ex while I’m at it.
Most of all, I want to open up and tell her what I really am. I don’t know how she’ll react when she finds out that this human skin is just a disguise I wear. I stare in silence as she pulls a tall glass out of the cabinet, fills it with water, adds sugar, and places the flowers in it.
“I don’t have any vases yet, but this will do.”
I clear my throat, “Why isn’t this a real date?”
“Neither one of us wanted to go; we’re only going because we lied to my parents.”
“What if I want it to be a date?” I ask, holding my breath, nervous to hear the answer. She freezes. I shrug. “Would that be so terrible? To go on a date with me?”
The fact that she doesn’t immediately respond has me believing I read her wrong. I’m the only one catching feelings. I keep my eyes locked on her as she approaches me.
“Ready to go?” She asks, smiling at me and completely ignoring my question.
WE WALK THE FEW BLOCKS to The Mummy’s Tomb Cafe, making small talk along the way.
I notice that Camilla is doing everything she can to avoid making eye contact.
We’re almost there when I stop and reach for her hand.
She doesn’t resist. I look at her tiny hand in mine, stroking my thumb over her soft skin. This is how we should be.
“Camilla. ” Music and cheers spill out of the cafe. I stare into her eyes. “If you want to make this believable, we have to act like a real couple.”
“I know.” She nods. “I wish this night were over already.”
That smarts—thinking she wants away from me. “I don’t,” I respond truthfully. “I’m looking forward to spending it with you.”