Chapter 8
Cam had always loved traveling, but today and this trip were testing his patience.
It’d already been a trying morning considering they had to be at the airport at five for their flight that left a little after seven. He’d been in Emma’s room last night doing his best to calmly discuss what to expect whenever Henry called him. Cam had been surprised that he called him and not Emma, especially since he didn’t know how Henry got his number, but then again it probably wasn’t that hard since they worked for the same company.
Cam was relieved when Henry told him he’d be on the same flight as them, but that quickly faded to mortification whenever his boss insisted on covering the expense and not letting Cam repay him.
Emma assured him it was Henry’s nature and that he was covering everyone’s trip, even Asher’s, but it didn’t make Cam feel better. He had thought he would be scouring the airlines himself to find the next available flight. He wasn’t used to someone paying his way and he couldn’t help but feel like it made him look bad.
Nonetheless, his arguing made no difference to Henry who’d been like a brick wall on the subject before hanging up.
That was only the beginning of headaches for him as Emma explained they’d be sharing a room at St. Croix. He’d never been there before and always wanted to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, but there was something about going as a fake boyfriend that was putting a damper on it.
Emma also mentioned that Henry liked to do a lot of activities and meals together as a family, as well as Cam had better get used to not flipping the bill because Henry never let anyone pay.
He’d cringed at that information. It’d be one thing if he knew the man better, but at this point, it felt like taking advantage. Guilt wrapped its fingers tightly around his chest each time he thought about how he was lying to everyone. Well, everyone except Lulu. Emma made it clear that she at least knew, but now he was worried if she’d think less of him for lying to her dad, their boss.
He leaned back in his chair, refraining from letting out the sigh that was heavy on his lips. This was their second flight, and since his tickets weren’t booked until last night he’d been seated next to strangers. He was used to traveling amongst people he didn’t know, but it somehow felt more lonely this time. Probably because he felt like he was a bleeding man headed into shark-filled waters. The lies felt like they were swarming and piling up.
Their first flight had a short layover in Miami, which had him running from one terminal to the next. He knew his group deboarded before him and wondered if they’d been as panicked as him about making the connection flight. But then again, they’d all looked cozy and content in their seats whenever he finally boarded and headed for his own.
His heart was still racing from the potential humiliation of being the only one to miss a flight and inconvenience Henry further. The man had already taken care of it all for him as though he was a child or had never flown before.
Cam looked out the window as he put his earbuds in. He was headed somewhere he’d never been before, with people he barely knew, and a suitcase with nothing but business clothes and a couple of casual pieces. He exhaled the pent-up breath he was holding.
An adventure, Nate had said. Excitement. He needed some excitement in his life.
Well, he was about to find out if he found it or not.
◆◆◆
Emma didn’t realize she was tapping her fingers on the counter until Lulu placed her hand over top, putting an end to the motion. “Sorry,” Emma said.
“I know you’re nervous, but it’s going to be okay,” Lulu whispered.
They’d finally made it to their hotel and Emma’s heart rate had only skyrocketed with each passing hour today. Weren’t Saturdays supposed to be for relaxing and no stress? Apparently, hers didn’t get the memo.
She glanced over her shoulder at Cam who was deep in conversation with Asher and Lauren. She’d barely seen him today since they checked out of their hotel in Dallas. She was still nervous she might look away only to find him gone, realizing this entire plan was likely a huge disaster waiting to happen.
“I know, I know,” Emma replied. Thankfully Lulu had been seated next to her on both flights, which meant this wasn’t the first time her friend had put a calm and reassuring hand on her restless bouncing. The woman seated on the other side of Emma on the second flight looked like she was ready to strap Emma’s legs together if that’d stop the incessant up-and-down motion.
She’d feel better once she and Cam could talk again. There was still so much to discuss and she needed to make sure they were on the same page–he wouldn’t do any unnecessary communicating outside of the dinners and group hangs.
She looked over at him again. He was clearly already failing at that direct rule she’d told him last night.
He looked fine though, not as nervous as he’d been at the dinner table last night. If she was being honest, he looked at ease like he was in his natural element. He probably was, she realized, remembering Cam’s social media was filled with photos of him and friends. He seemed like an outgoing guy, and she’d already learned he was nice.
However, a horrible thought skittered its way to the forefront of her mind as she waited for the clerk to hang up the phone to finish checking them in. She’d seen women in that quick scroll of his online presence, a few of them over and over. Did he have a girlfriend or someone he was interested in back home? He had appeared taken aback when she flatly said they wouldn’t be sleeping together. Maybe it was shock because he had another woman on his mind and he hadn’t even considered that with her.
Oh god, there was so much to figure out still. She refrained from groaning out loud as her insides worked themselves into knots. She’d be lucky if she didn’t leave this vacation and beautiful part of the world with an ulcer. Did stress cause ulcers or was that some myth people claimed? She didn’t know and thankfully the man hung up the phone in time to keep her from this rabbit hole of thoughts she was about to spin down.
“Sorry about that, but thank you for waiting.” His smile was kind. “Let me get that last room key for you and then you’ll be all set.”
Emma returned the smile while Lulu replied, “No problem, and thank you.”
“Here you are.” He slid several envelopes across the counter, each containing different room keys.
Lulu thanked him again and listened as he reiterated information regarding the hotel’s casino, room service, the two pools, and all the other amenities that should make this the best week of their lives. Emma tuned it all out as her gaze scanned the lobby until it landed on Henry wrapping up a phone call and walking their way.
Not their way, but toward Cam, Asher, and Lauren.
Emma grabbed Lulu’s arm and pulled her in that direction, tossing another word of thanks to the gentleman who’d helped them while Lulu tried not to drop the keys.
“What’s your deal?”
“I just don’t want your dad coming up with an idea for us to all hang out just yet. I need some time with Cam first.”
“Uh-huh, sure you do,” Lulu purred.
Emma rolled her eyes and didn’t bother with a comment. As they reached the group at the same time as Henry, Lulu began passing out envelopes, only bothering to double-check the room number on one of them.
Henry always splurged on his room, although Emma would never complain because to be here at all while someone else insisted on paying was more than she could ever ask for. She was used to it now, but it took years of telling herself it wasn’t out of pity for her and Aunt Mel’s lack of money in comparison to theirs. She didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had enough.
“How about we all take some time to unpack and get freshened up?” Emma suggested, then subtly elbowed her friend.
“Uh, yeah, that sounds great,” Lulu added.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Lauren said in agreement. “I think I’d like to walk the beach afterward and explore the hotel, too.”
Asher nodded that he liked that idea.
“Everyone go enjoy themselves,” Henry stated. “I won’t steal all your time this week.” He chuckled and his expression made Emma remember him as that dad with three teenage girls on vacation, knowing full well they were more interested in exploring on their own than hanging out with an adult. It made her smile. “But let’s all meet up for dinner tonight. Do we want to eat here or find a restaurant?”
“I vote here tonight. I always get tired after flying,” Lulu responded.
“Works for me,” Emma said and the other three agreed.
It was settled. She’d have the afternoon alone with Cam. The perfect amount of time to put some more rules into place and make sure nothing went wrong. They’d been so exhausted and on the fritz last night, so maybe today would be easier. She’d known he hadn’t been happy about Henry flipping the bill for his trip.
They all headed to the elevators, everyone getting off on the same floor except for Henry. He waved bye before they set off for their rooms. Emma noticed Lulu turned left at the hall and the rest of them went right. It wasn’t until she stopped in front of their door, Cam a few steps behind her, that she noticed Lauren and Asher were still approaching too.
No, she thought. No, no, no.
“Looks like we’re neighbors,” Lauren exclaimed.
Dammit. “How awesome,” Emma matched her enthusiasm. She quickly unlocked the door. “See you later tonight.” And then she was inside, vaguely aware of Cam following behind.
Damn Lulu for not checking the numbers first.
When she stopped to put her bag on the bench, she caught sight of Cam trying not to laugh.
“Shut up,” she muttered. And that did it because that contagious sound erupted from him and loosened something inside herself that made her laugh too.
“Of all the rooms,” he said, still laughing and shaking his head.
“Shh,” she said, though her eyes were still alight with humor. “I don’t want them to hear you.”
“Oh man, this is good. Too good.” He plopped on the bed, his suitcase still on the floor.
Emma rubbed her temples trying to think. “Maybe we can switch to another room.”
“Won’t that look suspicious?”
That was a good point. “True. Okay.” She waved her hand as if to clear her thoughts. “For now, let’s focus on what we can control.” She started opening drawers on the dresser, then headed to the small closet door.
“What are you doing?” He stood to watch her.
“Looking for extra blankets. You can have half of the bed pillows, but I’m thinking they should have extra bedding in here.” She turned to see him looking at her. “For the couch,” she added, not sure why his brow was quirked.
It was the second time Cam laughed within minutes of walking into this room, but he was sure Emma thought he must be losing it this time.
He’d just spent all morning and early afternoon traveling for a trip he didn’t want to be on as a way to help her save face in front of her ex, and now she was going to assume he’d be the one on the couch?
Normally, he would’ve just offered to take the couch. In fact, he already assumed he’d be the one on the couch too, but there was something about her entitlement for sleeping on the comfy bed whenever she was the one who got them stuck in this situation that made him decide it wasn’t happening.
He may be a nice guy, but that didn’t mean he had to be uncomfortable with a crick in his neck all week while she made her ex jealous, figured out her life, or whatever her goal here was.
“I’m sleeping on the bed,” Cam said. Then turned and strode to it and laid himself out, his hands propped behind his head on the pillows as if to make his point while he left her in that shallow hallway.
Emma came around the corner, taking him in. “Uh, no. You’re not.”
“Yes. I am,” Cam countered.
“We’re not sleeping in the same bed,” Emma emphasized.
“I agree,” he replied casually. “Good thing they normally have extra blankets in hotels.”
Oh, he had to be kidding her. He couldn’t be serious. Yet, he looked very firm in his decision. Emma took a deep breath while she tried to remain calm. “This week is already going to be hard. There’s no reason to make it worse on ourselves.”
“You’re right,” Cam said, still lying down. “And since I shouldn’t even have to be here, I should at least be comfortable.”
He was ridiculous, she decided. So much for being thankful she’d met a nice stranger. He was proving to be a pain in the ass at the moment.
“Let’s come back to this,” Emma said in an attempt to salvage her mood. She walked to the end of the bed and took a seat to face him. “Right now, let’s go over some basics.”
“Like what?”
“Like reminding you not to engage in any unnecessary conversations,” she said.
He looked at her in question.
“The lobby,” she prodded. “What were you doing talking to them?”
Cam sat up, a sound of exasperation leaving him. “Do you expect me to stand around like your lap dog or something? You went to check us in and Asher asked me if I was a trainer like Lulu. I’m not going to ignore him. Besides, they seem nice enough.”
“They are nice,” Emma said.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You might say something that makes them think we don’t know each other.”
“We don’t know each other.”
She sighed. This was getting them nowhere. “I know that, but they don’t know that.”
Cam clenched his jaw, trying to hide his amusement. He’d been all over the place this morning, but once they landed and drove to their hotel, he was reminded how much he enjoyed visiting new places. Not to mention, everyone really was nice. He’d enjoyed chatting with Asher and Lauren downstairs, and now watching as Emma was working herself up over and over, he remembered how much fun he had at that dinner just the two of them.
She was fun and filled with energy. He just preferred that energy directed toward more exciting conversations than arguing with him.
“So let’s get to know each other,” Cam said and for a moment, he could’ve sworn she blushed.
“Okay,” Emma agreed. “What would you like to know?”
“For starters, what’s your last name?”
Emma’s eyes widened then her lips broke into a smile. “Wow. That’s eye-opening,” she said, though Cam felt like it was more to herself. “Cooper. Emma Cooper.”
“Emma Cooper,” he repeated. “That has a nice ring to it.”
She looked down at her hands, suddenly not able to meet his eyes. She’d never thought much about her name, but the way it slid off his tongue gave her the oddest sensation.
“And I saw yours is Wright,” she supplied. “When I creeped your social media in the bathroom at the restaurant last night.”
The information connected some dots for him. “That’s how you came up with that story about Banff, wasn’t it?”
She smiled lightly. “Yeah.”
“Damn. You’re good.”
Emma let out a little laugh and did a double raise of her brows. “Never underestimate what a woman can find out online.”
Cam laughed. “Oh, I wouldn’t. Trust me, I have some highly skilled friends who could be investigators with their thumbs over the keyboards of their phones.”
His comment reminded her of her earlier fear in the lobby. “Speaking of friends, do you have a girlfriend?”
He looked at her in insult. “Do you think I would be here if I had a girlfriend?”
She considered. “Not really.”
“No. I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Anyone you’re interested in or talking to?”
“No,” his voice had lost all humor. “When I am interested in a woman, there’s nothing that would drag my attention or time away from her. When I am with her, then I amwith her. No one else.”
Emma swallowed, the movement suddenly feeling too vulnerable. She didn’t know why his words affected her so much, but they did. “Good. Just checking. We don’t need any surprises sneaking up on us.”
Cam gave her a tight smile, some of the tension slowly easing from him.
“Why didn’t you mention who you were on that trip with in Banff?” she asked, ready to change the subject.
“You mean Derek?” One of Cam’s best friends was still a very famous actor, though he hadn’t taken on any new roles since meeting Slone. Derek had been ready to leave that career behind, or at least take a break, and right now that was still what he was doing.
She nodded.
Cam shrugged. “He’s one of my best friends. His fame isn’t why I was on that trip and it’s not something I use to impress people with.”
Emma’s mouth shot open. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she started. “I was just surprised. Normally whenever someone knows someone famous or meets a celebrity, they can’t wait to tell everyone.”
He shook his head. “Not me, I guess. Derek is more than the career path he chose. He also married one of my best friends and now he’s basically a brother.”
Emma smiled. “That’s amazing. That you have such close friends,” she added.
“You have the same,” he said, indicating the people they were on this trip with.
He was right. She was very fortunate to have the people she had in her life. “Okay, you know my last name. What else?”
Cam looked at her and thought. Sure there was plenty he needed to know about Emma to make this trip work. But there was a part of him that didn’t want to learn it like he was studying for a pop quiz.
If he was going to learn about the woman sitting in front of him, then he wanted to get to know her the right way.
“Let’s go for a walk.”
She had been expecting a question, not a statement. “Why?”
He gave her a grin. “Because that’s what couples do.”
Emma tried to steady her breath as she took a deep inhale and nodded. “Let’s do it.”