Page 60 of All the Drama from New York

Camille let out a sigh as Ryan slipped his hand around her waist and drew her into his arms. This kiss was tender, the sealing of a private agreement. It wouldn’t ever stand up in a court of law, but as their mouths melded together, Camillewas certain the bond created between them was stronger than anything that could be written on paper.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Hand in hand they walked silently back to the house. Ryan changed into a pair of brown knee length shorts and a faded t-shirt that had something printed on the front which Camille couldn’t quite work out.

He seemed a little ashamed of his weather worn clothes, but she adored the look. The beach vibe they gave off was genuine. His clothes had been lived in. They hadn’t just been plucked off the rack of some overpriced surf themed store.

They remained in agreeable silence all through lunch, both lost in their own thoughts. The late delivery had been a tray of freshly made sandwiches along with a small box of sliced fruit from one of the local suppliers on the island.

After cleaning up from their meal, they went about setting up their workstations. Ryan cleared the large antique dining table of its fancy flowers and table cloth, and with a bow and flourish presented it to Camille as her workspace. He established a spot for himself at one end of the long kitchen counter.

The dressmakers dummy held pride of place in front of the windows which overlooked the rear garden.

They’d agreed on something happening between them, but now it seemed like neither of them knew what to do. No one was prepared to make the first move. All afternoon while Camille put thoughts down on paper and did some rough design sketches, Ryan had continued tapping away on his laptop.

In between attempting to work, she fired off messages to Sophie.

About the mistake you said I shouldn’t make.

Yes.

I think I’m about to make it.

Do you want me to call and talk you out of it?

No.

He wants me too.

Ok. Be careful.

…

Three dots appeared again on the screen, then disappeared. Then reappeared. Camille wasn’t sure if Sophie was typing a long message or writing and then deleting her messages.

When the message finally popped up, she sat and stared at it for a long time before answering.

Final question.

Is this just sex?

It’s complicated

Cami, be careful with your heart

She could understand Sophie’s reasons for wanting her to protect herself. It had taken her sister a long time to get over her last long term boyfriend, Patrice. Her sister had been crushed when she’d discovered the truth about Patrice’s philandering ways. Of his taste for secret one night stands with other women.

The situation was further complicated by the fact that Patrice still worked for their father.

I think Ryan is a good guy.

Camille left it at that. She didn’t want to get into a long discussion about the perils of loving someone and then finding out they were a cheating pig.

She snuck a glance at Ryan, and smiled. He was deep in thought. She could tell because whenever he was concentrating, he had a tendency to make little humming noises. For some reason she found them incredibly sexy.

Her cell phone pinged again.

You deserve to find a good one.

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