Page 49
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Nina stirred as someone moved next to her. I must’ve fallen asleep. She lifted her head and Cam was beside her, smiling. She could read his mind. “You finished it?”
His smile widened. “Yep.”
Pure joy filled Nina’s chest. She threw her arms around him. “That’s brilliant.”
Cam gave her a squeeze. Nina pulled away lest she lose control of herself. She picked up a bottle of water, raising it. Cam grabbed a bottle and clunked it against hers. They both laughed.
Nina stretched. “What time is it?”
“Three a.m.,” he said, laying his head back onto the cushions.
Nina’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realise. Sorry I conked out.”
He turned his head toward her. “That’s okay. It was still nice having you here. You’re beautiful when you’re asleep”—he grinned—“apart from the snoring.”
“What?” Nina said, her mouth falling open. “I was snoring?”
He laughed. “No, not really.”
Nina smiled. “Watch it, Wild.” She sank into the sofa next to him. He reached his arm across the couch cushions so it rested against the back of her head. Nina turned to him. “You love it down here, don’t you?”
He met her gaze. “Yeah. It’s like my safe haven.” He glanced around the room. “I designed it all. When it was finished, I was like an excited puppy.”
Nina remembered seeing him smile that first time he’d shown her the studio and how she’d assumed he was being conceited about his material wealth. She cursed herself for being so short-sighted. He was proud of what he’d designed, not of its monetary value. She smiled as she took in the pride on his face. “It’s a great achievement, Cam.”
He turned to her. “I wish my dad could’ve seen it. He was into all this stuff too.”
Nina studied him. He’d mentioned his mum and sister before, but not his father. She could guess why now, by his use of the past tense upon referring to him. Her empathy and connection to him strengthened further. “Did your dad pass away?”
He nodded. “When I was twelve. He got me interested in making music.”
“I’m sorry,” Nina said. “He would’ve been so proud of you.”
He nodded, his eyes bright. “Thank you.” He rested his head against his arm to meet her gaze. “I’ll bet your dad is proud of you—and your mum. You’ve achieved great things in your career.”
For a moment Nina was thrown by the hazel luminescence of his eyes. She swallowed. “Actually, I’m in the same boat as you. I’ve still got my mum but my dad died when I was at university.”
Cameron lifted his hand to stroke her hair. ”He never saw you graduate?”
She shook her head gently, careful to not break his contact and cut short the sensations he was firing along her skin.
“I’m sorry,” he said, quietly.
She smiled and he took hold of her hand then hugged her into his chest. She nestled her face into his hoodie. “I’ve got no right to accept comfort from you because you’ve been through exactly the same thing.”
He kissed the top of her head. “No, that’s precisely why I’m the right person to be offering you comfort. It’s a mutual thing.”
She gave him a squeeze and closed her eyes. Despite the desire he created within her, he was also such a soothing influence. She’d never had such a connection with a friend before, at least not so quickly. He seemed to understand her on a deeper level that normally only came from a much longer relationship. “Can I tell you something?” she asked.
The bass of his voice rumbled against her cheek. “Of course.”
She was glad that he couldn’t see her face because she hadn’t ever told anyone this before, but somehow she knew he’d understand. “My dad was like me—always super organised and had not only a five-year but also a ten-year plan. However, it didn’t do him any good in the end because he didn’t live to see them through.” She took a deep breath, inhaling Cam’s scent, which soothed her and provided her with the courage to keep speaking. “When the redundancy came up, that’s why I decided to go for it. I figured being so concerned about the future never did Dad any good, so maybe it was time for a change. But now I kind of feel like I’m struggling with the spontaneity, because it means I’m losing my connection to him—to the thing that everyone said we had in common.”
Cameron squeezed her tightly.
She sighed against his chest. “I know that sounds stupid.”
