Chapter 4 Cami
CAMI
“Harold, can you put down the phone and take twenty minutes off work to be here with your family?” my mother scolds. It’s the third time she’s tried to get my father’s attention, but he simply waves her off. This is how he is every week. I’m not sure why she thought tonight would be different.
She rolls her eyes, then focuses back on me. I think I liked it better when she was nagging my dad. At least it gave me a few moments of respite from her judgment.
Our weekly dinners at the one upscale restaurant in town have gone from a quick check-in to my parents telling me everything I’m doing wrong and how they can fix it if I just give them control.
I’d be lying if I said their disapproval didn’t hurt, but I know I’d be miserable if I followed in their footsteps and went back to school to be a lawyer.
“So. I have a surprise for you,” my mother says. The glint in her eyes makes my stomach drop. I don’t think I’m going to like her surprise. “I made an appointment with a personal shopper in Denver next week.”
“Oh. Thanks, but I don’t need–”
“It’s already paid for, along with a sizable budget in store credit so you can take home some nice pieces.”
“Mom, I don’t need new clothes,” I try again. “I like what I have now.”
She scoffs and drags her eyes up and down my outfit. I’m wearing a flowy top with colorful embroidered flowers dotting the fabric and pretty stripes on the sleeves. My skirt is a dark green that matches the leaves of the flowers. I think it looks pretty cute and very boho.
“Just because you work with kids doesn’t mean you have to dress like them.”
I bite my lips, partially to keep from snapping at her, and partially to let the sting distract me from the tears threatening to fall.
“Your mother has a point,” my dad says. Great.
He hung up his ever-important client call to pile on.
Perfect timing. “A new wardrobe befitting a twenty-three-year-old is definitely called for.” His phone rings, and my mother gives him a warning glare.
“Speaking of calls, this is Mr. Lancaster. You understand, honey.”
My mom relents, nodding as he answers the phone.
He must be an important client, and by important, I mean rich.
My parents are partners in the most reputable law office in Hope Mountain.
Sure, they don’t have a lot of competition, but it doesn’t take much to stand out around here.
They have always enjoyed the finer things in life, and it annoys them to no end that I don’t care about designer labels or luxury vacations.
“Anyway, where were we? Oh, right, the personal shopper. I let her know about your proportions, so she’s prepared to find appropriate clothing to cover up your problem areas.”
Shame floods my face, making me blush and stare at my hands. It’s no secret I’m a plus-sized woman, but it still stings to hear my mom basically calling me fat. I twist my napkin between my fingers, praying for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. Instead, I hear a familiar voice.
“Cami is perfect the way she is,” Hayden says, his voice booming and on the brink of rage.
I gasp and look up at him, his eyes blazing and his strong, chiseled features tense as he stares down my mom. I’m mortified that he heard my mother’s comments. It takes a second for his words to filter through my haze of embarrassment. Did he just say I’m… perfect?
“Excuse me, who do you think you are?” my mother snaps. She looks him up and down with disdain. “I will speak to my daughter however I see fit.”
Hayden’s eyes flick over to mine, his gaze going soft with concern. I’m too shocked to have any reaction at all. No one has ever stood up for me before, and certainly not like this.
“Not if you’re going to tear her down. I don’t know how she managed to turn into the brilliant woman she is today with parents like you trying to stifle her every step of the way.”
My mouth hangs open, mirroring my mother. For once, she has nothing to say.
“What the hell?” my dad interrupts, finally putting down his phone. “Who–”
“And you,” Hayden says, addressing my father.
His voice is lower, quieter, and that makes him sound even more deadly.
The brooding ex-soldier narrows his eyes, pinning my father in place as he delivers his next line.
“If I were lucky enough to be sitting across from Cami, I wouldn’t waste time working or talking to anyone on the phone.
I’d enjoy every moment of being in her presence, and if you can’t see that, then you’re not worthy of her time. ”
Hayden turns his attention to me once more, his blue eyes pleading with me to take his outstretched hand. I’m stunned at the emotion I see in his gaze, a mix of longing, pain, and hope. How can I resist this man for even a second longer?
I slip my hand in his, and he pulls me from my chair, wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me outside. He looks down at me with pride and a hint of a smile. My entire body heats under his attention. I love that I made him proud. It’s certainly something I never experienced with my parents.
Hayden guides me through the parking lot, presumably to his vehicle. I pause, causing him to stop and turn toward me. “Thank you. I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Sorry, I caused a bit of a scene back there.” Hayden rubs the back of his neck, but I take his other hand in mine, showing him he doesn’t have to be nervous around me.
“Are you kidding? It was awesome,” I tell him with a grin. “You actually rendered them speechless! And did you see my mom’s face? I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
Hayden breathes out a sigh of relief. “You’re not mad? I don’t know what came over me. I saw you having dinner, but I was going to keep my distance. Then your parents started spewing those vile things, and…” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t let them speak to you like that.”
“No one has ever done anything like that for me,” I confess. “Besides, people needed something new to gossip about in this town.” I wink at him, and he graces me with a small smirk. It’s the most playful I’ve seen him, and I can’t wait to draw more of that side out..
“Did I make things complicated between you and your parents?”
“No more than they already were.” A question pops into my mind, but I’m not sure I want the answer. “Um, were you having dinner with someone?” I ask. “A date, maybe?”
I have no right to be jealous, and even less right to be hurt.
Hayden and I have really only shared a few conversations over the last several weeks, though it feels like I’ve known him for much longer.
I’ve never felt as safe and seen as when Hayden is looking at me. But I need to reel in those thoughts.
“You have nothing to worry about, Cami.” I try not to blush, but I’m pretty sure he sees it anyway. “I was with my sister,” he clarifies.
“Oh. Good. I mean, that’s cool,” I say, trying to pretend that’s not the best news I’ve ever heard. “Will she be upset that you just left her there? Should you go back?”
Hayden shakes his head no. “Absolutely not. In fact, Lily is thrilled.”
“Why?”
“Because she knew I was finally going after my woman.”
My eyebrows float to the top of my forehead, and my eyes widen at his words. “Wh-what do you mean?” I whisper, swaying closer and closer to Hayden.
He wraps one hand around my hip, anchoring me in place as he presses his chest against mine. Hayden tucks a few wisps of my hair behind my ear, his breath tickling my nose and lips.
“Am I crazy, or are you feeling this, too?” he asks softly. I nod, never breaking eye contact. He smiles, his blue eyes sparkling with something I’ve never seen before. “Is that a yes to me being crazy, or yes, you feel the same way?”
“Both,” I answer honestly. He chuckles, the sound rumbling up from deep in his chest. We’re so close, I can feel the vibrations, causing my lower stomach to tighten with almost uncontrollable desire.
“God, you’re perfect,” he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine.
My first kiss is soft and sweet and over far too soon.
I stand on my tiptoes, leaning toward Hayden, silently asking for more.
He just grins and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Patience, baby. It’ll be worth the wait.
” How is that even hotter than if he kissed the air from my lungs?
Hayden tugs my hand, guiding me once again toward his truck.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he opens the door for me.
“First, dinner.”
“I’m really not that hungry, but I’d like to spend more time with you.”
Hayden’s eyes light up as a shy smile pulls at the corner of his lips. Do I really make him that happy?
“Then can I take you to one of my favorite secret spots in town? Well, technically it’s just outside of the town, but it’s worth the drive.”
I give him a playfully skeptical look. “Driving me to a remote location, huh?” I tap my chin and narrow my eyes at him. “If it were anyone else, I’d have to decline. But with you… I trust you.”
“Good girl,” he praises, buckling my seatbelt and kissing my forehead. I love every sweet touch, and I love even more that they’re coming from Hayden.
He clears his throat as if he didn’t mean to say that out loud. I secretly love it. “I’ll be your good girl,” I murmur. Is that my voice? Did I really just say that?
Hayden’s eyes grow dark with desire. Lordy, that look has me squeezing my thighs together to ease the throbbing ache there.
“You’re going to be trouble of the best kind,” he replies. “I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you.”
Without waiting for my response, Hayden shuts the door and races around to the other side of the truck. I don’t know what tonight will hold, but I’m so ready for whatever Hayden has in store.