Chapter Ten A Different Kind of Care
The walk back felt quieter than before. Camille walked beside Simone.
The hotel came into view sooner than it felt.Simone reached for the door, holding it open.
“After you.”Camille smiled as she walked inside.The warmth of the lobby wrapped around them soft lighting reflecting off polished floors, quiet conversations tucked into corners.They made their way toward the elevator, neither of them in a rush.
Camille pressed the button this time.A short ride later, they reached their floor.
When they reached the room, Simone pulled out the key, unlocking the door.Camille stepped inside, Simone followed.
Camille walked over to the couch, dropping down onto the cushions.She leaned forward, slipping her shoes off one, setting them neatly beside her.
Simone moved toward the counter, her eyes drifting back to Camille without even thinking about it.Watching her.
Simone took off her jacket, setting it aside, still focused on Camille.
Camille reached for the remote, turning the TV on.
The screen lit up the room with a soft glow.Simone walked over to the couch.
“Hey”Camille looked up. Simone stood there holding two wine glasses.
“Duhh.”Simone smiled, walking over. She sat beside herand handed her a glass before pouring the wine.
Camille adjusted, tucking one leg under herself as she took the glass.
“Thank you.”Simone nodded, lifting her own.Camille was already scrolling.Netflix filled the screen, rows of options passing by as she moved through them.
Simone leaned back into the couch, turning toward her.
“So, what are we watching?”Camille didn’t answer right away.
Still scrolling.“Hmm”“You want something serious, or a comedy?”Simone watched her instead of the screen.
Simone took a small sip of her wine.“Something funny.”Camille smiled a little.
“Rom-com?”She looked down at her wine glass, turning it slightly in her hand.
She started to blush and Camille saw it, of course she noticed that.
Simone didn’t blush very often.“Aw”Simone glanced up.
“What?”Camille shook her head, leaning back onto the couch.
“You’re blushing.”“That’s cute.”Simone looked at her again, trying not to smile.
Camille scrolled for another second before stopping.
“This one.”Simone leaned forward slightly, setting her glass down on the table before slipping her shoes off one at a time.Camille watched the way Simone moved.
Simone took her second shoe off and sat back onto the couch, reaching for her glass again.Camille looked back at the TV.Stop staring at her like that, she told herself.She picked up her glass, taking a small sip like nothing happened.
The movie started, soft music filling the room as the opening scene played.Camille took a sip of her wine.
Simone looked over.“Did you call me cute?”Camille couldn’t help but laugh.
“You were blushing,” she said.Simone shook her head quickly, trying to keep her face straight.
“I wasn’t blushing.”“You were.”“You’re blushing now.
”Simone looked back at the TV, pressing her lips together, fighting the smile that was already there.She moved on the couch, crossing her legs, trying to play it off.
Camille watched her for a second.“That’s cute.
”Simone didn’t look back this time. She was too nervous.
The movie played on, but neither of them was paying attention.After a minute, Simone glanced over at her.
“I really enjoyed dinner tonight.”Camille turned her head.
“Me too,” she said. “It was probably one of the best dinners I’ve had.
”Simone smiled.“I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
”Camille looked at her for a second longer.
“ I loved it, honestly.” The movie continued in the background, but Simone wasn’t paying attention anymore. Not really. Not after what Camille just said.
She turned toward Camille as she spoke, her focus settling fully on her now.
“I had a great time too,” Simone said, her voice warm and low.
“Not just the food, all of it.”She moved just a little closer as she talked.Camille looked over at Simone.
“Yeah, I enjoyed it too.” she said.Camille looked at her, still smiling.
“You really outdid yourself.”“I wanted you to enjoy it.”Camille leaned in just a little more.
“Thank you, for putting so much thought into it.”Simone nodded.
“You’re welcome.”Suddenly, Simone was aware of everything, aware of how close Camille was, the way her voice softened when she spoke.
The way she kept looking at her.Simone moved, trying to ground herself, her eyes flicking back to the TV for a second, but it didn’t help.
Nothing did. Because Camille was still right there.Closer than before.
And smiling like that. Eventually the movie pulled their attention back for a little while.They both faced forward again.
Still close. Still very aware of everything.
After a minute, Camille’s eyes drifted back to Simone.
She watched her for a second.“You really do look nice tonight.”Simone turned her head. “Thank you.”
“So do you.” Her eyes dropped, just for a moment looking at Camille’s dress. The way it fit her the way it moved when she did.
“That dress looks really good on you.”The way she said it, Camille was not expecting it, catching her completely off guard.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.Simone leaned back again, but her eyes lingered just a second longer.Camille moved, adjusting her position on the couch.
Then she reached down, rubbing at the side of her foot.Simone noticed.
“You okay?”Camille nodded, rubbing just a little.
“Yeah, little sore from the heels.”Simone set her glass down.
Without overthinking it, she moved a little closer.
Camille smiled as Simone reached gently for her foot.
“Really?”Simone looked up at her, calmly.
“Give me your feet.”Camille let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
“You’re serious.”Simone didn’t answer. Just waited.
Camille looked at her for a second longer, then slowly slid both of her feet onto Simone’s lap.Simone adjusted her position just a little, her hands warm as they wrapped gently around Camille’s foot.Camille let out a deep breath, leaning back onto the couch.
“Mmmm, that feels so good.”Simone looked up at her and smiled.
“I know.”Camille shook her head, still smiling.
“Now you’re rubbing my feet?”Simone’s hands didn’t stop.
“I told you, I don’t mind taking care of you.
”Camille looked at her. Really looked at her.
But this time, she didn’t tease. She just let it happen.Camille leaned back into the couch, as Simone’s hands moved gently over her foot.
She was careful, gentle. Like she cared about what she was doing.Camille watched her.
“Thank you.”Simone’s hands slowed just a little.
“For what?”“For taking care of me like this.”Simone looked up at her again.
“I haven’t been cared for like this before.
”“I know” Simone said, she hated to agree but it was true.
She’d been around and saw Camille let down time after time.
Simone’s hands slowed slightly against Camille’s foot.
“And I told you, I don’t mind taking care of you.
”“It feels right.”Camille didn’t move or look away.
Camille’s foot stayed resting in Simone’s lap, but her body leaned closer.
Almost without trying to.Then Simone exhaled, grounding herself, her hands starting to move again, slower this time.
“You should probably shower,” she said quietly.Camille blinked, like she was coming back to the moment.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I can use a shower.”Simone nodded, lifting Camille’s feet from her lap.
She stood, then held her hand out. Camille looked at it.
She placed her hand in Simone’s.Simone helped her up.Camille walked toward the suite, disappearing into the bedroom.
Simone stood there for a moment. Like her body hadn’t caught up with everything that just happened.She sat back on the couch, her eyes drifted toward the bathroom door.
She could hear the water. Knew Camille was just on the other side of it.Simone stood, moving toward the bedroom.
She grabbed her things, setting them down on the bed as she got ready for her own shower.
But her mind wouldn’t settle. She stopped for a second and sat on the edge of the bed. Everything she had done today, the trip, dinner, The way they couldn’t stop looking at each other.
Another 20 minutes later, she heard the shower turn off.
Not long after that, the bathroom door opened.
Simone looked up.Camille stepped out, dressed in something soft and comfortable.
Even going to bed, she was still so beautiful.
Simone stood a little straighter, like she had to remind herself to stay composed.
“Your turn.”Simone picked up her clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Simone cleared her throat softly, pulling herself out of the moment.
“I’ll be back” she said.Camille nodded, already moving toward the bed.
“Okay.”The sound of the shower followed not long after.
Camille climbed into bed. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, then turned toward the bathroom door.She was thinking about dinner, and that foot massage.
The way her hands felt. How gentle she was and how she didn’t rush it.
Camille moved under the covers. It wasn’t just relief from her sore feet.
It was care. Like she mattered. Something she hasn’t had in a long time.
Probable ever. Camille settled deeper into the bed, her eyes slowly closing.
She heard the shower turn off. A few moments later, Simone stepped out of the bathroom.
Her hair was damp, and she looked more relaxed than she had an hour ago.
Camille smiled."Feeling better?"Simone nodded.
"Yeah.""Good."Simone put away a few things before glancing toward the couch.
"Goodnight."Camille watched as she started toward the living room.
Immediately confused."What are you doing?
"Simone stopped."I figured I'd sleep on the couch.
""What?"Simone shrugged."Just to give us some space.
"Camille stared at her.Then laughed."Simone.
""What?""We always share a bed."A smile tugged at Simone's lips.
"You slept in my bed last week."That earned a laugh.
"Okay, that's fair."Camille shook her head.
"If it's more comfortable for you,""No." Simone cut her off, then smiled.
"You're right."A small shake of her head.
"I was overthinking it."That earned another laugh.
Camille patted the empty side of the bed.
"Come on."Simone walked over and climbed in.
A few moments later, both women were settled beneath the blankets.
"I'm excited for tomorrow." Camille said.
"I know.""You do?""You've talked about it at least fifteen times today.
" Simone laughed."Maybe sixteen.""Definitely sixteen.
"The laughter faded. But they both laid there thinking about tomorrow.
The adventure waiting for them.And slowly, with smiles still on their faces, they drifted off to sleep.