Page 70 of Only in Our Dream
“Meet me at the elevators.”
Without another word, Cameron all but bolted out of the restaurant. She left behind her bag and her jacket, which Melanie collected as she made her way over to the bar. After placing an order for a bottle of wine, Melanie tried to calm her nerves down yet again.
It’s not a big deal. It’s just sex with Cameron. Your best friend. No big deal.
Melanie groaned as she walked out of the restaurant with the bottle of wine in one hand and Cameron’s bag and jacket in the other hand.
Except it is a big deal because it’s Cameron. Cam. My Cam.
Cam.
She looked nervous standing by the elevators twirling a room key around her finger. Cameron hadn’t noticed Melanie yet, which gave her a few steps to take in the sight of her again. When Melanie had first seen her back at the house, she could barely think straight. Melanie always thought Cameron was beautiful, but tonight she looked radiant.
Their eyes met as Melanie crossed the lobby. Cameron’s nervousness seemed to melt as Melanie approached her. She took her things from Melanie before pressing the elevator button. The silence between them was heavy but filled with anticipation. If they said anything, Melanie worried she’d break the bubble of excitement that surrounded them.
As the elevator door dinged open, they stepped inside. Cameron pressed the third-floor button as the door closed. Their desire was almost palpable in the enclosed space and Melanie wondered if people actually made out in elevators like they did in movies.
She was about to ask the question when the door opened again. They stepped out into the hallway as Melanie followed Cameron down to their room. Cameron fumbled with the key, clearly still nervous with anticipation just like Melanie was. Once they were inside the room, Cameron laid her bag and jacket down on the table.
“I got a red. I hope that’s okay.” Melanie studied the bottle of wine, unsure what she’d even ordered.
“Honestly,” Cameron nervously laughed, “I don’t care. Anything to take my nerves away.”
Sitting the bottle on the table, Melanie reached out and took Cameron’s hand. “Talk to me. What are you nervous about? Because I’m nervous too so I think we just need to get it all out in the open before we go any farther.”
“You’re right,” Cameron nodded, taking a deep breath as they sat on the bed facing each other. “I guess for starters I’m worried that once we go down this road that there’s not going back tojust friends.”
“Good.”
Cameron’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“I don’t want to bejust friendswith you anymore, Cameron. I’m in this. I know this is new and fresh and so much can happen, but I’m not going into this thinking it may fail. Because I desperately want it to work out between us. And I think the best way to do that is to always be open with each other.”
“I think so, too.” Cameron nodded as her shoulders relaxed slightly. “I want this too, Mel. So badly. I just don’t want to rush things or push you into something before you’re ready. I know your divorce is still fresh and I don’t want to overstep anything. Please know that.”
“I do. And I wouldn’t be here if I felt pressured or was uncomfortable. I’m here because I want to be with you.”
Her thoughts swirled around her brain, fighting for top billing. The one that seemed to win was Melanie’s insecurity about never being with a woman before. She’d only ever been with Rob since they got married. And she knew Cameron had slept with other people, even if it wasn’t anything serious. Cameron at least had experience that Melanie didn’t have.
What if I don’t know what to do or what she likes? What if I do something wrong or worse, what if I don’t like what she does to me?
Melanie inhaled sharply, holding it for a few seconds before slowly letting it out. With it, she released her thoughts and shared them with Cameron.
“I’m also scared. I’m scared because I’ve never been with a woman before. I’m scared because of how much history we have. I’m scared because I want this to work so badly that my brain is going to self-destruct before I learn to not be scared.”
Scooting closer to Melanie, Cameron wrapped her arms around her. Melanie melted into her, allowing Cameron to hold her as tightly as she could. She felt Cameron kiss her cheek; felt her gently rubbing her back. As scared as Melanie felt, she also knew that being in Cameron’s arms felt like home.
“Thank you for sharing that with me.” Cameron kissed her cheek as she pulled back to look into Melanie’s eyes. She kept one hand on her thigh, providing Melanie comfort she didn’t know she needed. “You remember when we went skydiving? How scared we were?”
“Terrified,” Melanie corrected. “I was terrified.”
“Yeah, but then we jumped out of the plane and it was amazing. Remember? You said you felt like an eagle that day.”
“It was a good day.”
“But it all started because you jumped out of that plane and faced your fears. And the best part? You didn’t do it alone. I was right there with you.”
“So were Isla and Vera.”
