“Oh!”he says, biting back his smile. “You were wondering about them crossing the street forreal.” He clears his throat, and his lips twitch. “We might have to keep an eye on them at first,” he admits. “But then I think they’ll get used to their parameters.”
My phone buzzes in my bag, and because I’ve been checking it every chance I have a free moment, all day long, I pull it out. My heart flutters.
Camden
Jackson got here right before I started my shift. I’m sorry––I’d planned on coming to you. Would you mind coming to the restaurant? I can take a break whenever you get here. We can talk in my office or go for a little drive. I really want to see you.
I can’t read between the lines. He could want to kiss me again, or tell me it was a mistake. Flip a coin.
Camden
Or we can wait until tomorrow if that’s better for you.
Camden
But I hope tonight is better.
I smile at my phone.
I can come to the restaurant. Maybe an hour or so?
Camden
Great. See you then.
The restaurant’s parking lot is packed when I arrive. I wanted to avoid the early dinner rush, but I have to be up so early tomorrow morning that I didn’t want to get here too late either.
Camden is the last person I expect to see when I push open the heavy doors of Elm & Echo. He’s near the entrance like he’sthe maître d’ or something. I freeze mid-step. He’s not supposed to be out here. He should be buried in the kitchen, yelling about garnishes and plating and whatever else he does on a nightly basis.
His face lights up when he sees me.
“Camden? What are you doing out here?”
Joey, the kid who’s usually doing host duties with Annie or Hannah, depending on the day, perks up. “Hi, Juju!”
His eyes wander down the neckline of my fitted sweater and don’t stop until they reach my feet before wandering back up.
I’m saying “Hey, Joey!” when Camden snaps his fingers in front of Joey’s face.
“Eyes up here, Joey,” he says, his fingers not the only thing snapping.
I laugh. “Don’t you have, I don’t know––food to cook?”
A slow grin spreads across his face. The next thing I know, he steps forward, catches my arm, and steers me toward the side hallway with a speed that doesn’t allow for questions.
“What––”
He pushes open his office door, and we step inside. The noise from the dining room instantly muffles. My pulse trips over itself. I spin on him.
“Are we avoiding Jackson?” I ask.
He laughs, low and unguarded. He leans back against his desk, crossing his arms and giving me the same slow perusal Joey did, except coming from this man, it makes me hot all over.
“He’s busy flirting out there,” he says, his eyes sparking with amusement. “And I’ve been waiting all day to talk to you. So yes, we’re avoiding Jackson.”
The way he’s looking at me and the fact that he’s waited all day to talk to me…it all makes my stomach swoop in a way I’d rather not acknowledge.
“You’re wearing the same color you wore to prom,” he says.
