Page 48 of Little Fury

“So why are you sad?”

She looks at me and then at her family and lets out a breath that deflates her shoulders.“I just flunked out of law school and haven’t told my family yet.”

How the fuck did he clock that?She looks like a bored little sister wishing she was anywhere but here.

“Oh, I’m sorry that must be complicated. Have you always wanted to be a lawyer? “

She doesn't answer me immediately; her pause hangs heavy on her.“No, it was never what I wanted, but my parents are lawyers, so when my brother became a doctor, I had no choice but to follow in their footsteps.”

“I see,”I say, nodding at the information.“If you could do anything, what would it be?”

“Tattoo artist,” she says instantly.

I look at her, seeing the spark of life in her eyes now.

“Cam, life is too unexpected and short to live it for others. You should follow your dream. Unless you don’t have any actual artistic ability, then don't become a tattoo artist.”

She looks at me and laughs, then lifts her t-shirt showingme her ribs and the most beautiful tree tattooed there. Its bark has images of birds and flowers, and it's stunning.

“Wow!” I say.

“I drew this; a friend tattooed it for me.”

“Okay! So yes, you should follow your dreams, Cam. I lost my parents at a young age, so I know how fast things can change, and the thought of living my life doing something I hate makes my heart hurt.”

She smiles at me.“Thanks, Ava.”

“You’re welcome. But don’t tell your family until you get home. People are crazy at weddings and experience so many emotions and all those emotions and reactions will be bigger than they probably want them to be.”

“I thought the same; I'm glad to hear someone else think it.” She smiles at me.“Is that your boyfriend? Because he is beautiful.”

I look over at him.“No, he’s my best friend. We grew up together.”

“Really? He sure doesn't look at you like you're just a friend. He looks at you like he wants to devour you.”

“I don't know about that, Cam. we’ve never been anything but friends.” But that doesn’t feel exactly true anymore.

“It may have been nothing but friends for you but not for him. The guys at the bar were checking you out as you walked over here, and your bestie there was having no part of it. He glared at the guys, took half a step towards them, and the three of them raised their hands in defeat and turned around.”

I look over at him again. Before we arrived weeks ago, I would have laughed hysterically at anyone who said there was something other than friendship between Marcus and me. Right now? I want to say I feel nothing I haven’t always felt, but that isn’t the case. New feelings could complicate somuch for us. We have so much to do over the next little while. Changing the parameters of our relationship could be the worst idea ever.

Or it could be the best idea ever.

I realize I’ve been standing there, looking at Marcus, not saying a word to Cam.“I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts there for a moment,”I tell her sheepishly.

“No worries. I'd also get lost in those same thoughts if he were my best friend,”she giggles.

“Well, Cam, it’s been a pleasure! I hope I see you again. Hopefully, with a tattoo gun.” I smile at her. She wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me, and I realize I've never had a girlfriend hug me before.

“Here, give me your phone. I’ll put my number in, and you can text me sometime if you ever need to talk.”

She hands me her phone, and I enter my number into it and then text myself, so I have hers as well. She smiles at me again, and we say goodbye.

I return to my table, where another pitcher of beer awaits. I slide into my seat beside him, and Marcus instantly puts his arm over the back of my chair and leans into me to speak in my ear. His breath against my ear sends goosebumps down my arms. His thumb finds my open back and rubs along my spine.

“So? Was I right?"He purrs into my ear.

“My only question is,”I turn my body to face him, my left leg slipping between his to get closer. I know what I’m doing. I see the invitation I’m starting to offer. Will he take it or stop it? The slit in my dress rides up my thigh as I move closer.“How did you know? Hmm?”I purr back at him, leaning across to speak into his ear.“Did you overhear Cam confess to someone?”My left-hand draws small circles on the back of his hand as it grips my chair.

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