Page 17 of Spring Break with a Billionaire

I look at Cameron to see if he’s freaking out because Natalie is about to catch us, but he just smiles and takes a sip of his coffee.

The front door closes, followed by the unmistakable sound of flip-flops smacking against hardwood.

“Cricket?” Natalie’s voice rings through the cottage. “You up? I brought muffins from that place you love—wait,what the hell?”

Cameron’s hands drop instantly, and we both turn toward the kitchen entrance just as Natalie freezes in place, paper bag in one hand, eyes wide as they land on him… then slowly drop to the shirt I’m wearing. Recognition flashes in her expression.

“Oh my God,” she blurts, taking a step back. “Did you sleep with my dad?”

I go red instantly. “Natalie—”

“I mean, Iknewyou two were vibing, but I didn’t expect towalk into it.”

Cameron clears his throat. “We weren’t doing anything—”

“You were kissing her neck,” she snaps, holding up a hand. “Please. I’m begging you. Spare me the visual details.”

I press my lips together to stop laughing. “Do you want a muffin or…?”

She narrows her eyes, then sighs, dropping the bag onto the counter. “Yes, I brought blueberry and lemon poppy. But I’m gonna need a minute to mentally separateyoufrom mydad,thanks.”

Before anyone can respond, Abby walks into the kitchen.

“Morning!” she calls brightly, then stops short as she takes in the scene: me, wearing Cameron’s T-shirt. Cameron, shirtless and flushed. Natalie dramatically face-palming against the counter.

“Ohhell yes,” Abby grins, hands on her hips. “I knew it!”

“I hate this,” Natalie mutters. “This is my villain origin story.”

Cameron rubs a hand down his face. “Okay, maybe I should—”

“Stay right there,” Abby says, pointing at him like she’s directing a crime scene. “I want every detail. When did it happen? Was it last night? Did you light candles? Was there music?”

“You are literally asking about my dad’s sex life,” Natalie groans.

“You’re the one who walked in early in the morning after you knew they had a date,” Abby says with a shrug.

I let out a laugh, ducking my head. “Can we all take a breath and maybe drink some coffee before launching an interrogation?”

Natalie exhales and grabs a muffin. “Fine. But I’m going to pretend he’s not here for the next fifteen minutes.”

“I’m gonna go to another room,” Cameron offers, already backing toward the living room with his coffee.

“Please do,” she mutters.

Abby turns to me, her voice dropping into something just for us. “So? Was it everything I imagined?”

My face warms again, but I nod, unable to stop the grin that spreads across my lips. “Yeah. It really was.”

Abby squeezes my arm. “Good. You deserve that.”

And as Cameron settles onto the couch with a smirk and Natalie loudly pretends not to look at him, I can’t help but laugh. Because yeah, this is chaotic. Weird. A little awkward. But it’s also kind of… wonderful.

After a quick debrief about my night without too many details, quiet falls over the kitchen.

Natalie sips her coffee thoughtfully, glancing toward the window, her expression fondly distant. “I’ve missed days like this, being at the beach, surrounded by family. It reminds me so much of summers in Star Mountain, back when Dad used to—”

Her voice trails off as she sees the confusion flickering across my face. My heart skips a beat at her words, my mind snagging sharply on that name—Star Mountain. My hometown. A strange unease twists sharply through my chest, though I’m not sure why.

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