Page 93 of Playful Kris

And there she is.

All of the air is sucked from my lungs as I stare at her from my truck.

Kameron walks across the street, wearing tight jeans and a puffy black jacket with fur around the hood. Her hair is braided, and her cheeks are pink from the winter weather.

Christmas is next weekend, so Cora said they expect a fairly large turnout this year. I guess the stripping Santa show is a huge selling point.

I stand here a few more minutes, watching Kameron work her magic. I see how people light up when she talks to them, how she commands attention from others without even meaning to.

Smiling to myself, I push off my truck, heading in her direction. No time like the present to get this heavy weight off my chest.

There are times when it feels so heavy, I can feel my airway being constricted.

But then it’s quickly replaced with fear. What if she’s moved on? With Damon?

What if I’ve had my head up my ass for too long and now I’m screwed?

I’m about to cross to where she is when Cora is suddenly standing in front of me. She’s slowly shaking her head before she looks over her shoulder to where Kameron is still talking to other volunteers.

“Don’t ruin the day yet, Kris,” she tells me.

“I wasn’t, I just needed to talk to her,” I admit.

“And ruin her day?” She sighs. “Just let her go, she deserves someone who is going to settle down, move the mountains and the sun for her. You don’t do any of those things, Kris.”

Ouch.

“I could,” I tell her. “I mean,” I run my hands over my face, “Iwantto be those things for her, Cora. I want to make things right between us, and I need to tell her how I feel.”

She stares at me, her features softening slowly. “Oh, my God.” Her hand goes to her mouth. “You’re in love with her.”

My cheeks pink as she says the words, because I know they’re true, but I’ve not said them out loud yet.

“Stop.” I stare at her. “I have a lot to tell her and I really want to get it out to her first.”

“Then by all means, tell me your plan.” She giggles.

That’s when I look up and see Kameron staring at me from across the square. Even with the distance between us, I can see her gorgeous green eyes just as clearly as if she was standing in front of me. My breath hitches, and my heart thumbs against my rib cage.

“Oh, the feeling is mutual,” Cora teases, smiling between us. “Just don’t hurt her again, Kris. She can’t take it a third time. She’s only ever been in love with you, and I don’t think she ever fell out of love with you to be honest.”

Her words sink in, and all I can do is nod in response.

“Stay here,” Cora tells me, and she takes off in Kameron’s direction.

I shove my hands in my pocket, trying not to look like a loser standing here while everyone is moving around the square with a designated job to do. Cora approaches Kameron and I see them argue back and forth looking over at me every few words.

Kameron pulls her head back at whatever Cora has just said. Her mouth drops open and Kameron slowly turns to look at me. I know without a doubt what Cora just implied.

Cora says something else to her, but Kameron’s eyes never leave mine as Cora gives her a shove in my direction, taking the clipboard out of her hand as she does it.

The walk toward me is so painfully slow, and the closer she gets the more anxious I get.

What If she doesn’t care what I have to say? All of those feelings come barreling back up inside of me.

She stops when we’re only a foot apart. She’s so close, and my fingers itch to reach out and touch her, but I don’t have that right anymore.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, needing her to know how I see her.

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