Page 32 of Camilla & Dallas
Together, they would make a beautiful couple.
Her stomach churned and she tossed the treat into the garbage. She couldn’t stay at the rodeo. She needed to get out of there.
Camilla tracked down her date, not surprised in the least to find Jason with a group of friends. He was enjoying himself too much. She couldn’t ask him to end the date early. But when his gaze snagged on her, she knew she hadn’t hidden the way she felt.
Jason had been working for Mateo since they’d expanded. He’d been hired to help Nikki in the kitchen, but he’d come into his own with a lot of the other work that needed to be completed on the ranch.
Honestly? She’d noticed how handsome he was. He’d been kind to her, and he could make her smile without much effort. In another life? She might have been open to a serious relationship.
Unfortunately, dating Dallas must have done something—changed something—within Camilla that she couldn’t understand. Every guy she’d dated since Dallas never stuck around. The common factor with all those relationships?
Her.
Jason said something to his friends, then jogged toward her. His smile no longer shone on his face. Instead, a line between his brows furrowed. A muscle in his jaw feathered. And when he stopped beside her, he took her hands in his. It wasn’t a romantic gesture. Camilla couldn’t describe it, but the way he touched her felt more like that of a brother. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, eyes stinging with tears she refused to shed.
“Camilla?” He reached up and grazed a knuckle along her jaw. “Do you need to go home?”
A sad, startled laugh escaped her lips. “Am I that obvious?”
Jason lifted a shoulder. “I mean, anyone who can’t see the way you’ve been looking at that Dallas guy… has to be blind.”
Her eyes widened, but before she could deny that she had feelings for Dallas, Jason continued.
“It’s fine, Camilla. It’s clear you two have a history. You didn’t have to say anything—but full disclosure? I heard all about the guy from Nikki.”
Nikki? Camilla’s cheeks burned hot. Nikki wasn’t around when Camilla had dated Dallas. And the only way she would have gotten that sort of information would have been from Mateo. She wanted to scream. Not only had her brother welcomed Dallas with open arms, but he was also spreading gossip about her past relationships.
Her hands balled into fists reflexively as she forced herself to meet Jason’s concerned gaze. This was so embarrassing!
“It’s okay,” Jason murmured. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze and shrugged. “I don’t mind. I haven’t exactly been present today, either.”
“That’s because you have so many friends. I’m sure they’re better company than me.”
Jason scoffed. “Hardly.”
“Which part?” She snorted.
He gave her a knowing smirk. “Both. Honestly, if I thought I even had a chance with you, I probably would have dragged you away like your brother did with his date.”
Camilla eyed him. “Really?”
Jason winked at her. “You’re a catch, Camilla. And while there are definitely a couple people standing in the way of a guy like me approaching you, you’re the biggest obstacle.” He jerked his chin in the direction of the exit. “You ready to go?”
She winced. “You’d… leave early? For me?”
He placed a hand on the small of her back. “Of course. It’s been fun, but I’m ready to call it a night, too.”
Camilla didn’t knowwhen Dallas returned from the rodeo. She’d messaged her brother to make sure he took the other couple home since he’d been out with Melody’s sister. Even after a few days had passed since the date at the rodeo, Camilla’s wayward thoughts continued to plague her.
How many different times did she have to tell herself that it didn’t matter if Dallas kissed Melody goodnight? Apparently, too many, because that was exactly what she was thinking about when she headed out of the house to get to work.
She blamed Dallas.
When he’d touched her, everything she’d felt for him came rushing back in a torrent so strong she’d nearly been knocked off her feet. The way her skin practically lit on fire with his touch. The way her stomach somersaulted when he leaned in close to whisper in her ear. He’d cornered her, and she couldn’t even be upset about it because she had wanted him so badly.
Camilla had wanted to tell him then and there that she still thought about him. She’d wanted to confess that the feelings she’d had for him had never gone away. And when he’d asked her point blank about those feelings? It had taken more strength than she thought she had to keep her mouth clamped shut.
