Page 31 of Sophia & Cameron

“Yeah, well, that’s life. And it happened long enough ago that it shouldn’t matter.”

Emma’s hand reached out and took Sophia’s hand in hers. “It will always matter. It just won’t always hurt.”

Sophia lifted her eyes toward her friend, fighting the tears that threatened to escape.

“But don’t forget that Cameron isn’t that guy.”

“I know he isn’t,” Sophia muttered.

“Then don’t treat him like he is. Cameron is trying to?—”

“He’s a lot like him, though. The way he flirts with me and pushes my buttons… sometimes it’s all I can see.”

Emma’s frown deepened. “I’d be a hypocrite if I told you that you need to get over it. We all have our triggers.”

“So, you’re not going to tell me to just give in and open my heart to him?”

“As much as I want to? No. But I will ask you something. If there is a chance for happiness with him, don’t you think you owe it to yourself to try? Would the risk be worth the hurt? Cameron isn’t the same guy as the one who betrayed you, and just because there are parts of him that remind you of thatexperience doesn’t mean it will end the same. Maybe it will work. Maybe it won’t. Either way, you won’t know unless you try.”

Sophia stared at where Emma’s warm hand held her own. There was comfort in the way they were connected, and she couldn’t deny that Emma had made a good point. As often as Sophia had told everyone and herself that she wasn’t cut out for something serious, there was still a part of her that wanted it more than she would ever admit to anyone else. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Maybe?” Emma grinned, releasing her.

“Yeah. Maybe.” Sophia moved closer to her friend and pulled her in for a hug. They clung to each other for a few moments before Sophia pulled back. “Thanks.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Emma laughed.

Sophia grinned. “You did more than you realize.”

Sophia couldn’t getEmma’s advice out of her head as she went to work the following day. She was on edge for a completely different reason than before. The small part of her that still wanted to find love was growing.

She didn’t want to end up alone.

And if Cameron was the guy who could make her happy? Then would it be so bad if she opened a door and gave him a chance? That thought was utterly terrifying if she were honest with herself. And yet, there was a small thrill that she’d only felt a handful of times since Brent had broken her heart.

It wasn’t a surprise that Cameron was up and already at work. He was wandering down the barn aisle toward the mares he’d been observing. From where she stood in the doorway, she couldn’t hear the things he was murmuring to them, but it still brought a smile to her face.

He was really good with the horses. She’d seen the way they took to him, trusting him easier than they’d trusted most newcomers. Mateo had done the right thing in hiring him, even if she’d been thrown for a loop by the revelation of it all.

Cameron paused before turning and facing her. The smile he gave her stirred the electricity that she’d grown to associate with being near him. If he had been upset with the way she’d bailed on him the last time they’d been together, he wasn’t showing it.

Shoving her hands into her back pockets, she wandered toward him. “What’s on the schedule today?”

He drew closer to her, meeting her partway. “Now that we know our stud and our mares get along, we have to wait for the girls to go into heat. For now, I’m monitoring their health—their exercise and eating habits.”

She nodded. Ever since he’d shown up, he had taken hold of the reins and dictated what the horses needed, but he didn’t get to decide all of it. “Tilly needs to go for a ride today. She’s getting antsy,” she said. “I’m guessing Birdie needs one, too.” Sophia waited for him to argue with her. But he didn’t. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder toward the horses briefly. “I think that’s a good idea. Nothing too strenuous.”

“Of course not,” Sophia said. “I’ll go easy on them.” She watched him for a moment. Most of what she knew about him was surface level—well, besides the story about his brother. She could tell he was passionate about his job, and people who could give that much of themselves to one thing had a tendency to spread that passion elsewhere.

The heat in her chest burned hotter and she moved closer to him. “Maybe you’d like to come along for a ride?”

He arched a brow. “Are you asking me on a date, Red?”

She rolled her eyes even as she bit back a smile. “In your dreams. Come if you want or don’t.”

The way he was watching her put her on edge in the most delicious way. She didn’t want to admit that his decision mattered to her, but in all likelihood, he could already see that it did.

“Oh, I’m coming,” Cameron purred. “And maybe you’ll finally tell me something real.”

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