Page 21 of The Summer Arrangement
“I only have one. I can’t imagine trying to entertain four girls at once. Your nana must’ve been a saint. Did you travel often?”
“Every summer, we went on at least one trip. Her goal was to drive in every state around the US. It didn’t faze her one bit, to hop in a car full of kids and drive. Once my sisters went off to college, Nana and I flew to a random destination and would road trip from there during my spring break. I think it helped my parents because Mom worked long hours as a nurse and well… Dad was busy being a pilot.”
The waitress returns with our food, and the next few minutes is filled with silence as we enjoy our meal.
Eventually, Cameron stops eating and leans his corded arms on the table and lifts a brow. “So… Did she make it to all fifty states?”
“Technically…” I draw out for suspense. “She’s beeninall fifty states.”
His thick brows pinch together. “Technically?”
“Well, my dad likes to tease she never really drove in Alaska. She was there on a cruise. It was an inside joke between them.”
“Did you inherit her love of traveling?”
“The teenager in me would say, there’s a reason some states arefly-over states. But honestly, I wouldn’t trade my time with Nana for the world. She always had a way of making things memorable.”
“Have you traveled much outside of the States?”
“Does visiting my dad while he was stationed overseas count?”
This earns me a sexy smirk. If the situation were different, I’d kiss that expression right off this gorgeous man’s face. “Yes… I suppose it does.”
Shit, where did that come from?
Milli, focus on Milli.
Forcing myself to flip the script, I ask, “What about you? Have you traveled much?”
Exhaling heavily, he leans back in his chair and studies me.
“When I was younger, yes. I got my start at Smashing Waves Records much like Sloane. I toured all over the country, promoting various bands. I also spent a lot of time overseas. I love seeing new places. It was invigorating waking up in different countries all over the world.”
“So… what changed? How did you end up in Seaside?”
Looking at his daughter, he explains it with one word, “Emilia.”
Duh… I should’ve known this.Why the hell did you ask him that?
He mistakes my silence as judgement.
“Emilia is hands down the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I know my time with her is precious, so when she came along, I took the more stable route and focused on working my way up at the label.”
I’m dying to ask about her mom but think better of it, especially in front of Milli. That’s a conversation for another day.
Quickly changing the subject, I ask, “Speaking of work, how did you manage to be here of all places today? I thought you were booked with meetings.”
That devilish smirk that melts my panties with one glance returns. “A man’s gotta eat…” With the way his eyes roam over me, I could swear he’s talking about something else entirely.
My body flushes with heat in reaction to his smoldering navy blues being sent my way. Millions of thoughts swirl through my brain like a hurricane, and none of them are appropriate—especially with his daughter right here, obliviously coloring beside me.
This man is dangerous.
Leaning in like I did, before he cups his hand on one side of his mouth, he admits, “Fun fact… I actually went home for lunch, but you weren’t there.”
Snap.
Just like that, he breaks the sexual tension that had been building between us.
