Page 24 of Under My Skin

Too late now. I have to roll with the punches.

My dad and I are putting down the last of the plates when the doorbell rings, and Mom zips by to answer it.

“Hi, neighbors. Thanks for coming over for dinner tonight. I hope you’re hungry.” My dad and I make eye contact and smile at Mom’s exuberance. It’s the thing we love most about her because it’s not an act. She really is just that happy and excited to have people over for dinner.

“Thank you for having us, Mrs. Montgomery,” Cameron says. “Now, girls, wipe your shoes on the mat and take them off before coming in. We don’t want to track mud on the beautiful hardwood floors.”

“There’s no need to do that, Cam. We aren’t that strict in this house.” My mom moves to stop the girls. “And please, call me Molly.”

“I was raised to know better than to bring a mess into someone else’s house. My mom and dad would come back to rip me a new one if they saw that.” My mom and Cameron both laugh at that, and the sound feels comforting.

I hear the sounds of shuffling shoes and feet before they all walk into the foyer, and I finally get a glimpse of Cameron. He’s dressed in black jeans and a dark gray button-down, and the girls are dressed in matching light pink dresses with purple tights underneath.

Cameron looks up and locks eyes with me, and I feel even worse knowing that he went through the effort to look nice for dinner at my parents’ house, and I showed up looking like I just rolled out of bed. “Hi, Lizzie. How are you doing tonight?” Cameron asks with his ultra-sexy, smooth voice that just about melts my panties off, while Addy and Mackenzie coming running up to me.

“I’m good. Hi, girls. I love the matching outfits! Pink and purple look so pretty on you both.” I look down at myself and feel the need to explain my appearance. “Sorry I’m not dressed nicer. I didn’t get the memo that we were having guests for dinner tonight.”

“Thanks, Miss Lizzie. I like your cat T-shirt. My cousin Ava has a shirt with a cat on it too.” Mackenzie’s voice is sweet and sincere, but it’s hard for me not to wince when my wardrobe is being compared to that of someone under the age of ten.

“Thanks, Mackenzie.” I chance making eye contact with Cameron again. He has a big smile on his face, but I can tell he’s holding back a laugh.

“You look beautiful in whatever you wear, Lizzie. Don’t sweat it,” Cameron says casually, like he actually means it. And then he disintegrates my panties when he winks at me before turning his attention to my dad to say hello.

Dinner goes smoothly. My mom’s lasagna is killer, like always, and we eat every last bit. Conversation is easy and comfortable, and Mackenzie and Addy are an absolute hoot and keep us laughing the whole time. Overall, it’s great.

Except for the stolen glances between Cameron and me, that is. I can’t fully read them. He said it wouldn’t happen again, but when he looks at me like that…I’m not so sure.

By the time we’re finishing our brownie sundaes, it’s obvious that my mom and dad have caught Cameron and me locking eyes too many times, so I decide it’s time to make my exit. “Well, it’s getting kind of late, and I have a long day in my studio again tomorrow, so I think I might head out.”

I get up and start gathering plates and silverware to drop off in the kitchen before I leave. I would offer to help with the dishes, but I know my mom won’t allow it. I’ve broken too many with my slippery fingers.

“We better head out too,” Cameron says while pushing back from the table. “Let me help you with the dishes before I leave, Mrs. Montgomery.”

“It’s Molly. And no need, Cam. I find that doing the dishes before bed helps me wind down a bit. It’s almost like therapy for me, if you can believe it.” My mom laughs like she just told the funniest joke and grabs the rest of the dishes before following me into the kitchen. I hear Cameron laugh and then say good night to my dad.

“Thank you again for having us over for dinner, Molly. That was the best lasagna I’ve ever had. I’ve never seen the girls eat so much in one sitting before, so I think they agree,” Cameron says as he pops his head into the kitchen.

“It was our pleasure. Mackenzie and Addy are absolute angels, so please bring them over anytime. Also, I’m free to help out whenever you need me.” Mom smiles brightly at Cameron before returning to the sink full of dirty dishes. “Oh, and we’ll make sure to invite Morgan next time too. I miss that girl, and I get so worried about her being all alone.”

“I appreciate that, Molly. She would love to come over. You know how much she loves you.” Cameron takes a deep breath before turning his gaze to me. “Can we walk you home, Lizzie?”

“Yeah, can we walk you home, Miss Lizzie?” the girls ask in unison, and I don’t miss the way my mom smiles at me.Therapy, my ass. She made sure this happened.

“Sure,” I answer with a laugh and a smile. “Ready to go?”

We all head to the front door and slip our shoes on before we start walking across the yard to my place. Cameron finally breaks the silence as we approach the barn door. “Your dad was telling me that Mikey Granger did the renovations on the barn to turn it into your studio and apartment.”

“Yeah, he did. He did a great job, too. Really professional, fair prices, and stayed on schedule. Are you going to hire him to help with your remodel?”

“Yeah. I realized I’m not as handy as I thought, so I’d better get some help. He’s Liam’s cousin, and he’s free to start next week, so I figured it’s meant to be.” He laughs a little under his breath and then looks down at his feet as if he’s nervous.

I’m about to bring up last night and apologize, which I know is stupid and will only make things more awkward, but I’m thankfully saved when Mackenzie tugs on Cameron’s shirt to get his attention.

“Can you ask Miss Lizzie if we can go to her pottery class next week?”

Cameron looks up at me and smiles. “Well, you could ask her yourself, but okay…Lizzie, do you have room for two more kids in your class next week? I know you’re pretty popular among the parents around town.”

“Of course I do. I can text you the details.” He passes me his phone to put my number in, and within ten seconds, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

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