Page 93 of The Boyfriend Gamble

I continued to stir. “How so?”

“I invited myself here three days ago, and you’ve done nothing but take care of me. That’s way above and beyond friendship.”

“I think I invited you here. And, well, be careful what you say. I would’ve done this for Kade or Tanner. For Nita. Although she’s more like a sister. Well, both. If Rayne or Everett needed help, I’d do something for them. Hell, I’d even help Kyla, my receptionist. And she drives me nuts.”

“Then why do you keep her?”

“Because she does the billing perfectly, and that’s no easy feat. Does she spend way more time on her phone than should be legal? Yes. Are my books perfect and everything done the way I want? Also yes.” I cleared my throat. “And she’s forever trying to set me up with various women. I’m…I would be happy to tell her not to bother anymore.”

Jasper pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. “Well, Sir, are you asking me to be your boyfriend?” He effected the most horrific southern accent ever.

I laughed. Then grabbed a tea towel and threw it at him.

He caught it easily and chuckled.

I continued to watch the mixture, pleased the meal was almost ready. Then I sighed. “I just…”

“It’s okay, Cameron. Seriously. It’s been three days.”

“But—”

“No buts. Well, okay, yes butts. Definitely butts. No recriminations, though, okay?”

“Everett and Rayne seem to be under the impression we’re…together.”

“Do you want me to talk to them?”

I blinked. “They’re my friends.”

“True. But I was the one who might’ve implied we were more to each other than just a fling. That’s on me.”

In my mind, that wasn’t the scenario at all. And the fact he was willing to shoulder some of the responsibility overwhelmed me. “Give me time?” I flipped the omelet in half.

“You can take all the time you need.” He took the coffee mugs to the stools at the breakfast bar. “Or at the table?”

“Table. I want to see you.”

He snickered. “In all my disheveled glory? I haven’t shaved in days.”

“I like stubble on you.”

“Makes me look older?”

A laugh bubbled up from me as I cut the omelet into pieces and dished it up. “Do you want orange juice? Sliced tomatoes? More cheese?”

“Cameron?”

“Yes?”

“Breathe.”

I hesitated. I hadn’t literally stopped breathing, but the idea of having a boyfriend was breathtaking.

“Yes to the OJ and extra cheese. Only someone very odd would saynoto extra cheese. And I’m surprised you have any tomatoes left after all the ones you’ve fed me.”

“One more. They’re a favorite of mine.”

“Me too.” He smiled as he sat. “Which was why I really appreciated them.”

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