She shakes her head. “You’ve been daydreaming all week. What’s going on?”
My cheeks heat. “Nothing.”
She squints. “Are you blushing?” Her mouth drops open. “Is this about a girl?”
“Shh,” I hiss. The last thing I need is a bunch of well-meaning assholes teasing me about my crush. “I’ve been talking to Camile.”
I wait for her to make some snarky comment about Camile’s relation to Karson, but she doesn’t. Her delicate eyebrows pull toward the bridge of her nose. “I thought you didn’t like Camile.”
I rub a palm down my face. I hate the fact that everyone seems to know I didn’t think much of Camile before now. “I was an ass. I made assumptions before I got to know her. I’m fixing that.”
To my surprise, she grins. “Cami, huh? I always wondered what your type was.”
“I don’t have a type,” I say too quickly. I totally do. Curvy blondes with kissable lips and eyes like the sky on a clear summer day.
“Uh-huh.” She winks. “Your secret is safe with me.” She mimes zipping her lips. “Do you have any plans with her?”
I shuffle on the spot, wondering how much to admit. “We’re going ziplining on Saturday.” I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I kissed her goodbye. In hindsight, I should have made plans with her earlier in the week because I’ve been dying to see her. Unfortunately, I don’t know for sure whether she feels the same way. She seemed to enjoy kissing me, but she holds her cards close to her chest. To be fair, so do I. I should be more forthright, then maybe she would too.
“Ziplining?” Enya’s face lights up. “Is it an official date?”
“No.” I should have known she’d be interested. While she may not appear it because of her girl-next-door looks, Enya is an adrenaline junkie. “I’m taking it slow. I don’t want to come on too strong.”
She flashes her hundred-megawatt smile. “Would it be all right if I come, or would I be intruding? We could make it a group thing if it would be too weird for it to just be the three of us.”
“That should be okay.” Although honestly, I’d rather have Camile to myself. But maybe she’ll feel more comfortable if there’s a group of us rather than just her and me. “I’ll check and let you know.”
“Thanks.” She bops me playfully on the shoulder. “I should have known that good old Priest would be the first of us to succumb to the Crown MMA love disease.”
I huff. “Not true.”
Enya is convinced there’s something in the water here that makes people go gaga in love. So far, the five of us who moved from City Fight Center have been unaffected, but I can see she’s going to grab on to this and use it to fuel her suspicions.
“Yes, true,” she teases. “I can’t wait to see you fall.”
Camile
I wish I had a friend I could have girl talk with. Leo and I have been keeping in touch all week, and I practically leap with excitement every time the phone buzzes in case it’s him. The only problem is, I’m not sure whether my feelings are reciprocated. I mean, logically, it seems like he wouldn’t waste his time messaging me so much if he weren’t interested, but I don’t really know what to expect from men. My limited sexual experiences have been more of the one-night stand variety. The first time, I thought I was in the early stages of a whirlwind love affair, but when the afterglow cooled and he asked me to introduce him to Karson, I received a cold dose of reality. I stayed away from men I met at fight events after that. The second time I’d had sex, it was after I’d been stood up by an online date. I’d ended up chatting with a man who was crying at the bar. His girlfriend had broken up with him. He’d wanted comfort, and I’d wanted to be wanted. So we went back to his place. Then, filled with shame, I’d snuck out in the middle of the night.
I choose my outfit carefully. I want to look nice, but I can’t wear a dress or skirt or I’ll flash someone, so I opt for a pair of dark jeans and a blouse. Strangely enough, I’m more nervous about being around a group of people from the gym than I am about hurtling through the air. When Leo asked if I minded a few others joining us, I was disappointed. I’d looked forward to being alone with him. But I’d agreed anyway. Maybe I’ll find that friend I desperately want. Although, considering how much I don’t have in common with anyone who fights for a living, I doubt it.
As I drive to the meeting point, I mull over what Leo’s friends—Karson’s former crew—probably think of me. I can’t imagine it’s anything good. They’ve only ever met me through my brother. Sigh.
I park and search for an elevator because I’d rather not be a sweaty mess when Leo sees me. According to the message he sent earlier, he’s already here. My phone pings again as I step into the elevator, and I check the screen.
Mom:Karson needs you. Please stop punishing him like this.
I pocket the phone and ignore a pang of guilt. I’m not punishing him, am I? I’m just doing what I should have been all along. Right?
The elevator glides to a halt, and the doors slowly open. I step onto the rooftop, shielding my eyes from the sun. A group of people are gathered near a booth a hundred feet away and I wander over, trying not to notice how high we are. Nerves sing in my chest. Much as I want to do this, I’m also slightly scared of heights.
“Hey, Cami.”
I blink rapidly as my vision adjusts, and I see Leo approaching. “Hi.”
He kisses my cheek and my hormones go haywire. He smells so good. After texting him all week, I feel like I know him reasonably well, but a niggling insecurity tells me not to read too much into his affection.
Enya Sears bounds over and punches Leo lightly on the arm. “Don’t keep her all to yourself, big guy.” Her doe-like eyes sparkle with humor and intelligence. When Leo smiles and jostles her shoulder affectionately, my internal voice of doubt builds until it’s practically yelling in my ears.
