Page 27 of Best Laid Plans
Becca’s stare grew curious. “What’s he doing back in town? To help your parents? Did you two coordinate this or something?” At least she was done bringing up one of Elle’s most mortifying memories, something that only an almost-lifelong friend could achieve with ease.
“Apparently, we both had the great idea to hang out at Wyatt’s for the two weeks that he’s away coaching football camp.”
Becca’s eyes went wide. “So you’re like… roommates? Is he still broody and mysterious? Did you two talk about your childhood love of him? How’s it going? I cannot believe you buried the lede.”
“I guess yes, technically. Yes, absolutely. No, I’ll take it to the grave,” Elle responded in rapid-fire succession. She drained the rest of her iced coffee, unsure if she was feeling so keyed up from the extra caffeine or where this conversation was going. She had to talk about it with someone, or she was going to go insane. “As for your last question…”
Becca uncrossed her legs and leaned closer, her forearms resting on the table. She waited with baited breath. “Tell me.”
“It’s an… emerging situation,” Elle managed, not sure how to explain everything.
“Shut the fuck up,” Becca squealed. “Did something happen between you two?”
“We’ve had… moments,” is what Elle settled on. God knows where Cam’s head was at with the whole thing, but they definitely weren’t on the same page. “He seems very intent to leave them at that.”
“Idiot.” Becca looked aghast in her honor, and Elle appreciated it immensely.
Elle could still remember how his hands had felt on her body in the restaurant kitchen. How she’d have done anything for him to keep going. It had been electric, as she’d been enveloped in his scent and his touch. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d wanted something so badly, to get lost in what was happening between them. To feel relief between her legs, that no amount of touching herself had quelled since yesterday.
“He’s definitely attracted to me.” Elle thought about the bulge in his boxer briefs last night. She’d wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, to take him in her hands and her mouth and make him forget any semblance of control or resistance to the idea of them giving in.
“So, what’s the problem?” Which was a very valid question, as far as Elle was concerned. It’s not like she was requesting that he ask for her hand in marriage.
“We didn’t exactly get off on the right foot,” Elle admitted. “I sort of hit him with a baseball bat.”
Becca’s jaw dropped. Her hand went slack, and she just managed to keep a hold on her coffee cup. And then, Becca burst out laughing, the sound filling the entire cafe.
“I thought he was breaking into Wyatt’s house,” Elle defended. “And regardless, I have been forthright with him regarding my intentions. Post-assault, of course. Ball’s in his court, now.” She didn’t need to get into the exact details ofbasically propositioning Cam in the apartment kitchen last night. Especially when he hadn’t taken the bait.
“Well, m’lady, as long as you’ve beenforthright, I’m sure his post will come henceforth regarding his response to your intentions,” Becca said with a poorly executed British accent.
Elle rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”
“So what happens next?”
“Nothing?” Elle answered honestly. She’d already thrown herself at the man once. “We’re working at the festival starting tomorrow. I’m still looking for a new job in Boston. Cam’s doing… whatever it is that he’s doing. And he seems to think that anything between us would be toocomplicated.”
“Heisyour brother’s best friend,” Becca acknowledged.
Elle scoffed. She did not need realism right now. Not when she knew how good Cam’s body had felt against hers. “Whose side are you on?”
“Always yours,” Becca said seriously, and Elle knew that it was true. Even after the years and unsaid words between them. It was the glimmer of positivity in what had become a chaotic and confusing trip home.
“I don’t have a lot of dignity left, but it’s enough that if I throw myself at that man one more time, there’d better be a cliff on the other side when he moves to rebuff me again that plunges me to my death.”
Becca shrugged. “Then don’t overthink it. Have fun. Be normal. See where things go. Seems like you two keep being drawn together, and things like that have a way of working themselves out. One way or another.”
“‘Be normal’ is your sage advice?” Emotionally, Elle was shifting between a teenager with a crush and a woman who wanted to take control of her desires and mount Cam like a stallion she needed to break. She didn’t know what ‘normal’ was, anymore.
Becca snort laughed. “Glad that’s what you took away fromthat.” She glanced down at her watch. “Sorry I can’t stay too long. I dropped Zoe off early before my afternoon shift, but I have to get over to the inn.”
“I’ll walk you back to work?” Elle asked, standing up and then sliding her laptop into her bag. A walk with Becca in the morning sunshine was far preferable to staring at a screen and whoring herself out to companies who didn’t care if she existed or not.
Becca’s smile was genuine and infectious, and Elle smiled right back. “Sure. I’d like that.”
It was Friday late afternoon, and Elle had never been so grateful for the steady line of people at the Pierce’s Seafood Co.’s stand. It meant that she didn’t have to notice how Cam’s forearms flexed as he manned the grill in his black t-shirt that she knew had to be dripping with sweat. His backwards hat covered his neck, but she could see a few beads trickling down before disappearing under the neck of his t-shirt.
Not that she was paying attention. Because truly, she wasbusy.
