“No!” I yell, laughing so hard I can barely catch my breath. “Go away!”
Of course, Bruno quickly catches up to me and is all up in my shit, giving Eli the opportunity to tackle me to the ground. He’s on top of me, holding me hostage and grinning like he’s won the Super Bowl.
“Payback, princess.” He cups a handful of snow and holds it over my head.
“No, please, no,” I beg, squinting my eyes. “I’ll do anything!”
“Anything, huh?” He stops and cocks his head, amused.
“Yes! Just don’t get me in the face,” I plead.
Strands of his hair fall over his perfect face as he releases the ball. The scruff over his jawline reaches up to his hairline, and he keeps it nicely trimmed. It’s probably a good thing he has longer hair, considering a haircut is impossible to get right now.
“Alright, I’ll bite.” He flashes an evil grin, and I know whatever he’s gonna make me do will be torturous.
He stands and helps me up, brushing the snow off my jacket. “Tonight.”
“Tonight, what?”
“You will see…”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” I say as we walk back to the house.
Bruno is still energized as hell as he gallops into the kitchen, bringing a trail of snow with him. Eli follows me, smirking as I remove my coat.
He walks around me, removing his boots, and looks at me. “I’ll clean up my mess, don’t worry.”
“I wasn’t.” I swallow.
He snorts. “Yeah, right. I can tell when you’re lying.”
Furrowing my brows, I ask, “How?”
“I’ve known you for over ten years, Cami. And for most of that time, when you were around, I watched everything you did. Being observant allowed me to learn a few things about you.”
“You’re starting to sound like a creep,” I tease, taking off my boots.
“Which is exactly why I didn’t tell you.” He grins, then continues, “Your nostrils flare.”
“What?”
“When you’re lying.”
Immediately, I cover my nose with my hand. “They do not.”
“I bet you hate that I know so much about you,” he says. “But you know a lot about me, too.”
He’s right, I do, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while. “Like how you haven’t cut your hair in seven years.”
“Aside from trims, that’s right.”
“I’m jealous it’s thicker than mine.” I chuckle.
“Gotta use the right products,” he says, smirking. “If you’re nice, I’ll share them with you.”
I place a hand over my chest, faking excitement. “You’re so sweet!”
“It’s not your three-hundred-dollar shampoos, but it does the job.”
Crossing my arms, I scoff. “I don’t spend that much.”
“Go clean up and do what you gotta do. You owe me, and I want payment tonight,” he says, walking backward toward the staircase and pointing at me. “After dinner.”
“Well, I should be relieved you aren’t going to make me cook again, but somehow, this sounds more terrifying.”
He grins, waggling his brows, then turns and walks up the staircase with Bruno following.
When he’s out of sight, I let out a sigh and go to the kitchen. As I make a smoothie and think about how much has changed in only a few days, I can’t contain my smile. He admitted he had a crush on me—and still does—and I realized those feelings I had for him have never faded. They’ve always been bubbling under the surface, and I’ve constantly fought to keep them under control, but not anymore.
Eli made me feel comfortable and not at all like a burden when I was at my most vulnerable. It’s hard for me to admit I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, but instead of judging me, he stepped right into action. I should’ve known Eli would want to help, and I’m so thankful he did. My thoughts drifted away from our reality as he held me, and I feel a hundred times better now. Though the circumstances suck, I’m so damn grateful he’s here with me.
Whatever he has planned for us, I’m in. If it means spending more time with him, I’d agree to just about anything.
Chapter Eight
ELIJAH
Inhaling the mountain air, I close my eyes and smile. Bruno runs around, and I laugh at his playful antics.
Four days ago, my world turned upside down, and I thought I’d go stir-crazy being here alone. Having Cami here too has changed everything.
And for once, it’s changed it for the better.
Away from her high-profile life and the pressures of status, Cami’s the same girl I first met before any of that shit mattered. Before she let the idea of who she was allowed to date get into her head. I resented her for a long time, even while crushing on her, but those hurt feelings are long gone. Before now, it’d been months since I’d last seen her, and being around her has only cemented the way I’ve always felt.
Yes, she did just get out of a long-term relationship, but I know he wasn’t right for her. She was arm candy for their public appearances and played along to appease her parents. Cami might’ve thought they had the picture-perfect relationship, but her eyes always gave away her true feelings regardless if she smiled wide. I know her well enough to see the sparkle was missing, proof she didn’t love him like everyone thought she did. Every photo printed and posted was forced and had no real meaning behind it.
Given that we’re here together and we have this second chance, I’m not taking it for granted. I’ll get Cami to admit she hid her feelings for me and find out if she still has them.
“What’d you make? It woke me up from my nap.” She laughs.
I arch a brow. “Nap, huh? Thought you had lots of schoolwork to do.”
She groans while taking a seat at the table. “I do, but I get fatigued after a panic attack.”
“You feeling better now?”
“Yes, very much so. I took a hot bath and fell asleep to an audiobook.”
“Couldn’t have been that interesting then if it made you pass out.”
“It’s one I’ve listened to a hundred times. The narrator’s voice is soothing,” she explains, which I find adorable. I never thought to do that.
“Well, I made pork chops slathered in cream of mushroom soup with a side of angel hair pasta.”
“More pasta.” She releases a dramatic sigh. “I’m going to leave here fifty pounds heavier.”
“I doubt that.” I set the plate in front of her. “But even if you did, you’d still be gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” she says, but I’m not sure if it’s for the food or compliment. Either way, I meant it. Cameron St. James is a beautiful woman, always has been.
“Wow…this is really good,” she admits after she tries the meat.
I grab my plate and sit across from her. “You sound surprised.”
“Well, kinda. It sounds so simple, but it’s really flavorful.” She shoves another bite into her mouth, making me smile.
“I’m genuinely curious how you planned on surviving here without knowing how to cook,” I add with amusement. “Once the Lean Cuisines were gone…you were gonna do what exactly?”