Page 31 of Camilla & Dallas
“What?”
He moved in closer, his face slanting so he could take her in—truly drink in every aspect of her expression. “Why did you set me up with her?”
“Because you wanted?—”
“No. I didn’t want to go out with anyone.”
Her brows furrowed. “You said you wouldn’t mind?—”
“Marcus wanted a date. Or did you forget how he volunteered me as tribute? What else was I supposed to say?”
One corner of her mouth twitched, and she ignored his question. “Melody isn’t that bad.”
No, she wasn’t bad at all. But she wasn’t who he wanted. “Why?” he demanded again.
“Dallas.” She sighed. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I would like to think that you know my type well enough that you would have told your brother Melody was out of the question.”
This time Camilla’s features tightened. She actually looked mad. “If you didn’t want to go on a group date, then why did you insist on coming? Why drag Jason into this?”
“Why drag Jason…” He released a mirthless chuckle and stared up at the sky before dragging his eyes back to hers. “Do you still have feelings for me?”
She blinked once, then twice. When she didn’t respond, he reached out and grasped her by her upper arms. His hold on her was gentle, but unexpected, which caught Camilla off guard just enough for her to really focus on him and only him.
“Answer the question, Camilla,” he whispered. There was a note of anguish in his voice, but he didn’t care anymore. She’d been teasing him, toying with him. She wasn’t making any sense. Why touch him and look at him that way when she was happy to stay in a relationship that did nothing for her? “Do you have feelings for me?” he asked again.
Her wide eyes searched his. Her lips parted.
“Camilla?”
They both jumped and turned toward the woman dishing out the shaved ice.
“Medium pineapple?”
Camilla tore away from Dallas, her voice strained. “Yeah, that’s mine.”
“Sorry about the wait. I had to send our guy out to the trailer to get another bin.” The young woman handed Camilla the shaved ice with a smile, then glanced at Dallas warily.
“It’s fine. Thank you.” Camilla accepted her treat, then she tossed him a glance and hurried back into the crowd.
Dallas’s hands balled at his sides, and he blew out a deep breath. She’d been so close to telling him how she felt. And he’d lost his chance yet again.
14
Camilla
Jealousy had never been an issue for Camilla.
Not until tonight.
The worst part? Camilla had no one to blame but herself. She didn’t have to call Melody. She didn’t have to set up her brother or Dallas tonight. And she certainly didn’t have to go out with Jason.
Seeing Dallas smile at Melody did something to Camilla she wasn’t prepared for. The way he leaned in so he could speak quietly just for her… for goodness’ sake! Camilla’s heart couldn’t take it. All she saw was the way Dallas had used to do that with her when they’d started dating.
Maybe she was looking back on their relationship with rose-colored glasses, but she couldn’t recall a single thing she didn’t like about her relationship with Dallas when she’d been younger.
She stared forlornly at the Italian ice in her hands and wished not for the first time that she’d gone with her gut to picksomeone who would have utterly annoyed Dallas to no end. But they were perfect.
