Chapter 13
Stone
“Are they ready yet?” I ask Magnus, pacing back and forth in the trailer behind the bank that doubles as a break area and an office.
“Why are you here?” He asks, keeping his eyes on his monitor and tapping the keyboard with speed. “Didn’t Erik tell you to take a hike?”
“He told me not to come back to work until I cleared my head. He was talking about the worksite, and this is me doing as I was told. I can’t approach Ms. Ramos without the designs to choose from so we can give her an accurate estimate.”
“Ms. Ramos?” He questions. “I see, you plan to win her over with your magnificent interior design vision.”
“Stuff it, Magnus.”
“Seriously, is asking the girl to go out on a date too traditional for you? Or is it too scary?” He says the last word like he’s describing a horror movie. That’s precisely the problem.
A low rumbling growl sounds from the back of my throat. I’m not in the mood for his shit on a good day, but today, I’m tempted to let myself slip into my full gargoyle form and rip him to pieces.
“This isn’t about dating. She’s anxious for us to start working, and we don’t even have a damn estimate to give her? I brought you the specs almost two weeks ago.”
“Yes, but you’ve also been walking around in a fog, leaving Erik and me to do all the work. Unlike you, I have a wife and kids at home. When work is over, it’s over.”
Wife and kids? That’s news to me. I’m surprised the little guy could get it up. “Just get me the designs. When I have everything on paper, I can present it to her. Depending on which she chooses to go with, I can confirm with Erik, and he can go forward with the estimate.”
“Stone, it’s okay to like her. Be yourself. Who knows, she might feel the same.”
I take my first easy breath since seeing the slow-moving car this morning. “Do you really think so?”
“No!” Magnus barks, before breaking out in laughter. “Actually, I don’t give a damn. Go grab the plans off of the printer. Then get out of here.”
I STAND OUTSIDE THEstorefront, waiting for Cami to open the door, with my stomach in knots. First, I want to know for a fact that I overreacted earlier and that she’s safe. Second, I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I show her the plans.
I want this concept to take life inside her the way it has in me. I shouldn’t be this invested, after all, it’s her bakery, not mine, a point that she’s made clear—several times. But the image I hold in my hands is even more magnificent than anything I could imagine, let alone describe.
If only she sees it the same. I’m not looking for credit. I’m looking for success so that she’ll stay here. So I can keep her close to me. I’m tempted to tell her the truth about this town. Then, she’ll understand that the tree trunks are the way to go. The problem is, I’m afraid to tell her. She’s a dimmer—er, well, a human—and they’re a little unpredictable.
The worries I had in the back of my head are now front and center. If I don’t hear from her soon, I’m going to call for a search party. I pull my phone from my pocket and call her, but she doesn’t answer. The call goes straight to voicemail. The twisting in my gut sharpens.
“Where are you, and why aren’t you answering?” I mutter while waiting for the beep.
She should be expecting me. I told her I’d return after work. I purposely didn’t come earlier. She doesn’t need to know I was sent home from work, and I wanted to keep my emotions in check. This way, I don’t scare her off like Cayden warned.
“Hey, Cami, it’s Stone. I...Exciting news...” I try to focus on my excitement and hide the concern as I leave my message. “I have the designs I promised you, so um...Call me back when you have a chance.”
I glance at the darkened windows of her apartment. Disappointed that she doesn’t appear to be home, I sit on the sidewalk. With my back against the building, I bend my knees and pull them into me. I’m a hair away from forcing my way inside the building. The only thing holding me back is the fear that she’s out and may come home in time to catch me breaking into her apartment. If that happens, I could kiss any chance I might have with her goodbye.
I need to have a long talk with this woman. She should always have a light on in her apartment, so people won’t know when she isn’t home. She has no idea what kind of monster she may find waiting for her in the dark.
I check my phone again to see if I missed a message from her, but there’s nothing. I glance at the time, and an ominous gnawing spreads through me. I never should’ve left after the car drove off. I should have come straight here and stood guard. With my hands behind my back, I pace the length of the storeand back. Back and forth, until the sound of Camilla’s voice carries through the air.
A heavy thumping pounds in my chest. I turn and find Cami at the end of the block, walking with an older couple. I notice a resemblance between Cami and the woman she’s with, but once my eyes lock on Camilla and I see the moonlight shining in her hair and the stars twinkling above her, no one else exists. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
The world spins on its side, and I feel a sharp pang hit my center. There’s no way I can stay perched on that bank for at least a decade and watch as Camilla falls in love with another man. The thought of watching her kiss someone goodnight in front of my still form makes my body ache. The image of witnessing passion flaring between Cami and someone else clouds my mind.
“Stone, is that you?” There’s something whimsical in her voice. I look away and consider making a run for it. Instead, I stand my ground proud and tall, unsure of why she’s making a beeline toward me with a smile on her face. My words fail me.
Camilla grabs my shirt and clenches it tight in her fingers, pulling me closer to her.
“Sorry, I just—”
