Chapter Thirty-Seven
CAMILA
“What do you think of this one?”
Wearing one of the few more elegant dresses I had in my closet, I walked around in front of the screen on the laptop that was on the small table in my room. I was on a video call with Evelyn, and she already seemed a little fed up with watching so many outfit changes.
“It looks great, Cami. Just like the last one, and the one you wore before it. They're all beautiful and you look beautiful. Choose which one you want to go with and pack your suitcase right away.”
She was right to be worried. It was already past eleven at night and I would be leaving the next morning. My suitcase was packed with some warm clothes that I had bought a few days earlier at the mall, and all that was left was to put a few more pieces in it.
It shouldn't be that hard...
“We'll have to go to some more upscale places, maybe they'll take pictures of us, since Michael is famous, and I need to show myself to be a bride worthy of him, or we could ruin the whole custody case for Alice.”
“Define 'worthy'.”
“You know, Evy... Can you imagine the amount of beautiful and elegant women who must have been caught with him?”
I didn't even need to imagine. Just by visiting his Instagram, I found photos with countless stunning women, including several celebrities.
“Come on, Cami... First of all: don't you have a mirror at home?
You're beautiful, and this kind of obsession doesn't suit you.
And secondly: these dresses are really pretty, and even though they're not designer, they look perfect on you.
The entire media already knows that Michael Turner's fiancée isn't rich, so you don't need to worry about that.”
I knew she was right. Tired, I sank down onto the bed, running my hand over Waffle's head, who was fast asleep.
“I shouldn't be so nervous, should I?”
“You shouldn't. Just enjoy the trip. Just the two of you in a beautiful place... sex in front of a fireplace all day, for God's sake, it will be perfect.”
I think it was just the idea that Michael and I would have sex again that made me most nervous.
A mix of anxiety and insecurity.
And a heat between my legs whenever I thought about it.
Evy corrected herself, “Or not necessarily all day, right? Since the little girl is going along.”
That made me feel a bit sad, for the reason I explained, “I don't think she's going. I spoke to Michael just now and his lawyer still doesn't have an answer about whether Alice will be allowed to go with us.”
“Ah, then things change. It will be sex all day long, then. Why don't you seem happy about it?”
Well, the idea of sex all day wasn't bad... however...
“I really wish Alice would come with us. Michael could spend more time with her, and... well, I could spend more time with both of them.”
Evelyn sighed. “Girl... Not only are you in love with Michael, but you've also fallen head over heels for his little daughter. This is really serious.”
“Yeah, I know. When I see Alice's smile or when I hold her in my arms, it's like... Oh, I don't even know how to explain it. I've never really wanted to have children, but Alice awakens such a crazy feeling in me, you know?”
“I understand. Even though I think it would never happen to me. I even like children, but... Just imagining the responsibility of having to raise one makes me anxious.”
“It's good that you found someone like you in that sense, isn't it? Since Peter also has no desire to have children.”
The mention of her boyfriend caused my friend’s expression to change. Which worried me. Especially since it wasn’t the first time it had happened.
“Hey, Evy ... Is everything okay between you and Peter?”
“It is. Well, I mean... More or less. I don't know, I've just been feeling him more distant, you know?”
“What do you mean distant?”
“He's been spending more time at work, he always arrives home tired, we hardly even talk anymore...”
“That's bad...”
“Yeah... But I don't want to talk about that right now. Let's get back to the point. You know what? I know why you're so insecure. It's not just because of the trip. It's because time is passing and you don't want this thing between you two to end.”
“I really don't,” I confessed out loud for the first time.
“So why don't you talk to Michael about it? Open your heart and tell him how you're feeling. Who knows, maybe he's feeling the same way?”
“It's different for him, bestie.”
“How come? It was supposed to be just a lie, but something real happened between you two.”
“He’s only enjoying having one steady partner right now because he can’t have several, not with the custody battle going on.
Once that’s over and he has custody of Alice, he’ll go back to his womanizing ways—and I won’t be interesting anymore.
I know that’s how it is, and I’ve made peace with it.
I’ll just enjoy the time we have together, and when it’s over, I’ll move on with my life. And that’s okay.”
Evy made a face that made it clear to me that she didn't believe my words, that in the end I would be fine.
Not even I believed it.
I focused on the clothes again, trying to get those thoughts out of my head.
Which didn't happen.