Chapter 18
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Maren
I’m having the best time.
Not only am I enjoying painting, but I feel like I’ve made new friends, and getting to know Oaklee and Lizzie has been one of the highlights of my night.
Of course, one of the other big high points has to do with Camden.
Seeing the lust and appreciation in his eyes has caused my panties to become wet and my heart to skip a beat.
He watches me closely, and at times, his gaze feels as if he’s undressing me with his eyes.
It’s raw and needy and makes me ache to be near him.
After I slipped into the bathroom and left him standing in the hallway, I was surprised to find him waiting almost exactly where he was when I entered the restroom.
And when I stepped out and wanted to take a moment to call my dad and check in with them, he placed his hand under my arm and escorted me into the back of the bar for privacy.
He even stood nearby, no doubt listening to my conversation, as I talked to Dad and then Theo, who proceeded to tell me all about the pizza, movie, and new toys, and he was so excited to tell me about his new bed at Papa’s, his excitement was pulsating through the phone line.
I hung up with a promise to meet them at the diner for breakfast and a smile on my face.
Now, our paintings are finished, and my eyes keep straying up to the bar where Camden is sitting.
“He hasn’t taken his eyes off her either.”
I look over at Lizzie and find them both smiling knowingly. “What are you talking about?” I ask, even though I’m certain I already know.
“That boy up there and his need to know where you are at all times. I’m surprised he didn’t just spin the barstool around so he had a better view,” Lizzie replies.
“He’s probably going to have a kink in his neck for the next few days,” Oaklee confirms.
I roll my eyes and chuckle. “You two are silly.”
“We speak the truth, and what we see is a man who can’t stop watching you, and I’m certain all those thoughts in his head are dirty.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Whatever.”
“Don’t deny knowing what I’m talking about, because they’re the same thoughts bouncing around in your mind,” Lizzie states bluntly.
Deciding to let the little bit of alcohol swimming through my veins do the talking, I shrug my shoulders and lean in closer. “My thoughts have most definitely been dirty.”
Oaklee just grins. “Oh, we know. We can tell because those Miller boys are potent and sexy.”
“And good with their hands,” Lizzie chimes in. “Wait, that sounds wrong. I only know about the good hands of one of the Miller boys, but I can tell it runs in the family.”
Oaklee nods insistently. “It does. Cade is…chef’s kiss.” She touches her fingertips to her lips and makes the kissing motion.
I feel my cheeks blush, but I’m going to blame it on the alcohol. “Well, I can’t speak from current experience, but from what I recall from when we were younger, Camden definitely has good hands too.”
“Wait, you guys haven’t…you know?”
“No,” I reply quickly. “We’re not…there.”
“You will be. He’s fucking you every which way to Sunday right now in his head.” This from Lizzie.
I turn to my left and find Camden’s heated gaze locked with mine.
It’s like a caress, a soft, sensual touch with his eyes that blazes a trail of fire across my skin.
I feel it in every part of my being, and pray this is the start of something more.
I don’t know if our relationship will ever be the same, but I hope we’re on the right track.
To what? Well, the jury’s still out on that, but it feels familiar and right.
Just then, the door opens and two women walk in. The second one notices Cam right away and makes a beeline straight for him. She throws her arms around him, clearly excited to see him. He returns the gesture, but his movements are stiff and maybe a bit unnatural.
“Who’s that?” I ask, not really sure I want to hear the answer. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her right away, and they’re clearly friendly.
“Oh, that’s Laura Fischer,” Lizzie says quietly, and I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.
“Yeah, they used to…” Oaklee chimes in but doesn’t finish her sentence.
“Date,” I state. “It’s okay, you can say it. I know he hasn’t been a monk these last seven years. I mean, we all know I haven’t been,” I reply, referring to my son. I just leave out the part about Theo’s father being the first guy I actually dated and slept with since I left Camden.
And we all know how that relationship turned out.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you had fun, and I appreciate Lizzie Meyer for having me back again. Hope to see you next month,” the instructor states, offering a wave.
“I’m going to check on the food,” Lizzie says, and thankfully, both of us follow her.
“We’ll help,” Oaklee announces, linking one arm around mine as we go.
The food is picked over, especially since she allows the regulars and other patrons the opportunity to grab some of the food.
We consolidate the sweet treats down to one tray and turn off the Crock-Pots so what’s inside doesn’t burn, but it doesn’t take much effort or very long.
I don’t have to use the restroom, even though I consider going in there, just to give it more time, and before I know it, Lizzie is going behind the bar and Oaklee and I are heading over to where the guys are.
“There’s the most beautiful woman in the world,” Cade announces, making Oaklee blush.
Of course, when he makes his proclamation, everyone turns to look our way—including Camden and Laura. He instantly smiles and from what I can tell, it reaches his eyes. They’re a vibrant blue, despite the fact the lighting inside the bar isn’t all that great.
“Hey, did you have fun?” he asks as I slowly approach.
“I did,” I confirm softly, keeping my distance.
“Here, have a seat,” he states, jumping up and stepping aside so I can have his barstool. Laura has to back up just a bit, her eyes narrowing the moment he chivalrously offers me his seat. “Let’s see your masterpiece.”
I slip onto the stool and hand over my painting. “Picasso, I am not,” I state with a chuckle.
He grins down at the image. “I think it’s great.”
“Well, you’re the only one. You can hang it in your house,” I reply with an awkward laugh.
“I will,” he insists, his eyes twinkling. Suddenly, his face sobers. “Uhh, Maren, this is Laura. Laura, Maren. You might remember each other from school.”
I turn my attention to the woman standing near us, and once I catch a good look at her face, I realize she’s vaguely familiar. “Yes, I think I remember you,” I reply politely, extending my hand. “It’s good to see you again, Laura.”
“Yeah, you too, Maren.” Her tone doesn’t match her words. She doesn’t appear angry or upset, just…sad.
And I realize why.
She likes Camden, and she’s disappointed.
I get it. If the shoe were on the other foot, I would probably feel the same way, and I need to tread lightly, because I’m not completely certain where I stand with Camden either.
I mean, Lizzie and Oaklee told me he’s into me, and he did kiss me, but I don’t know.
He’s never spoken his intent to me, and maybe it’s time I should just ask.
If we’re just going to be friends, then great.
I’m happy to view him that way, despite the level of difficulty it will take. At least I’d know where we stand.
He catches my attention and offers a playful little grin. Then, he reaches over and brushes a strand of hair off my forehead and pulls my ear three times. “Apricot?”
I have to bite down on my lip to keep from laughing. “Uhh, yeah. Apricot.”
He nods and sets his glass of water down on the bar before turning his attention to Laura. “It was nice to see you again, Laura.”
“Yeah, you too, Camden.” Her dark eyes shift toward me. “Welcome back, Maren.”
“Thank you,” I reply, climbing off the stool. “It was nice to see you again.”
She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t mean it. Without a word, she heads over to where her friend is waiting, leaving Camden and me.
He produces his wallet and pulls out some cash. When Collin approaches, he hands over the bills and says, “Keep the change.”
Collin nods.
“Oh, here,” I state, pulling money from my own pocket.
“You’re good,” he informs me.
Confused, I say, “Lizzie started me a tab.”
“And it’s been paid,” he replies with a wink.
He doesn’t even have to tell me who covered it. I already know.
“Ready?” Camden asks. We both slip on our coats before he takes my masterpiece painting in one hand and my hand in the other. “Later.”
Cade, Oaklee, Wyatt, and Alex all holler their goodbyes. I don’t miss the knowing grin on Oaklee’s face.
“I should leave a tip,” I say when we reach the door.
“No worries, Shortcake. I covered the tip.”
Outside is a burst of cold air compared to inside the bar, and as we make our way toward his truck.
Carefully, he sets my painting in the back seat and holds the passenger side door open widely for me.
The moment I climb inside and buckle, he leans in and rests his forehead against mine. “Will you go somewhere with me?”
“Yes,” I reply instantly, not even needing to know where we’re heading.
He nods and closes my door. We’re pulling away from the street and heading to the edge of town, away from our houses. When he turns on Elm Street, the last road before the city limits, I know where we’re headed. It’s near Wyatt’s place, along the back side of his property.
And the thought of visiting our spot makes me squirm in my seat.
We reach the strip of dirt between two fields that takes you back to a little clearing in the trees. He backs the truck near the creek and turns off the ignition. “Wanna sit on the tailgate?”