Page 49 of Lust & Lollipops

I expected Kyle. He wouldn’t care about finding my supposed care package. He just liked to win.

Instead, I got Cam.

He must’ve wanted privacy when he showed me the package he’d put together, or he wouldn’t have let himself get back first.

My eyes widened when he walked out in a very familiar yellow sweatshirt.

He winked at me, and I sat down with him at Rhett’s instructions. The spot was tucked away so no one else could see us, but close enough that we were still within Rhett’s line of sight.

“Are you kidding me?” I asked, fighting back a smile.

He winked. “Good morning, Sunshine.”

I laughed, and he pulled the sweater over his head before handing it to me.

“Where’s your asset folder?” I teased.

He grinned and pulled it out of his bag, handing it over. When I opened it, I found pictures of a pretty house that looked over a gorgeous beach.

“There’s sand?” I asked.

“I’ll keep it off the floors for you.”

I made a face, and his grin widened.

Below that, I found a few pictures of the interior of the house, which were all beautiful.

I paused when I found the ones beneath the house pics.

There was a picture of him with my grandma.

One of the coffee shops I frequented.

My favorite grocery store.

My favorite movie.

My favorite couch pillow.

My thermostat, set much lower than it would’ve been if I were the one paying for it.

I closed the folder and met his gaze.

He handed me a bag of my favorite candy—the same lollipops he’d caught me eating when he walked into my apartment and gave me that nickname.

Then, he put a small box on my lap.

My throat swelled when I realized what it was, but I didn’t open it.

“This was supposed to be your care package,” I said, my voice growing quieter.

The smile on his face was playful, but soft. “I care about you.”

“I feel like I barely know you,” I admitted. “Yes, I trust you. But you know all these things about me, because you were guarding me. Who are you?”

His smile faded, slightly. “That is a very long story. Not one I can tell in the three minutes we have left.”

I nodded, though emotions were still gathered in my throat.

---