Page 39 of Sand in My Boots

Giddily, I lead the way to the buffet bar. He wasn’t lying when he said to come hungry. Waffles, pancakes, French toast, followed by eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, and fruit. There’s a carving station with ham, turkey, and an omelet station. After loading my plate with pancakes and bacon, I head there next.

“What can I get you, miss?”

I survey the ingredients. “Egg whites with all the veggies.”

I hadn’t noticed Cameron behind me until he speaks. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“Figured I’d feed my stomach something other than carbs and fried foods. So it doesn’t completely hate me.”

“Whatever floats your boat.” He leaves me to it, and I can’t help staring at his ass as he walks away.

“All set, miss.” A deep voice draws me back to the omelet station, where the chef has my food plated and holds it out in the air.

“Thanks. Looks delicious.”

“Much appreciated, ma’am.”

The connotation of “ma’am” hits differently here than back home. Like the South’s redheaded stepbrother who keeps showing up in a Myrtle Beach T-shirt.

I’m giggling as I approach the table. “What’s so funny?” Cameron wonders, taking hold of the plate of pancakes.

A girl could get used to this.

Yes, Juli, a girl could. But not this girl.

I’ve distracted myself and have no clue what Cameron asked. “What?”

“You. You’re giggling at something.”

“I do that from time to time. It’s probably not funny to other people, but I’m the queen of cracking myself up.”

“At least you keep it to yourself. I’ve spewed things aloud to no one in particular, and nobody ever gets the joke.”

“Sucks.”

“That it does.”

I eye the coffee mugs sitting on the table. “Smart choice asking for the big cups. These little ones do nothing.”

“Stick with me, sweetheart. I know all the best tricks.”

I’m about to agree with him and say some things that are definitely not breakfast-in-public appropriate. Instead, I tuck into the food, eating almost everything on my plate.

A hand on my full stomach, I slump back against the back seat of the bench. “I’m so full. I’m probably good until dinner.”

“Are you day drinking today?”

“I’m on vacation. That’s a given.”

“Then you’ll be eating lunch.”

My mouth opens, ready to refute his statement. No, his order, but I think better of it. The man’s right. If I’m drinking, I’ll need more food. Add sex to the mix, and I might as well take an entire plate of food to go.

Never did I imagine this vacation going this way. I figured I’d hang out with Erica and Jonah, catch some rays by the pool, do some reading, have a meal with my brother, and attend the wedding. Spending time with Cameron has been a nice bonus.

Scratch that. Nice isn’t the word.

I could do nice with anyone.