Page 44 of Building Romance
Charming.
Hutch turns to me. “No offense, but you are in enemy territory here. This whole crowd is on Team Cam.”
I chuckle and hold up my hand in defense. “I’d expect nothing less from her friends. However, I too am now on Team Cam.” I pause. “I mean…literally. I’m her assistant for the competition.”
Everyone freezes and I feel heads turning to look at Camryn and me.
“Amber’s mom needed surgery,” she explains with a shrug. “So for now, Fletcher and I are…well, having a truce of sorts.”
“Of sorts?” Kasen mumbles.
“Yes. So be nice. We have the day off, so we came by to check on our businesses. I needed a drink and this is the best happy hour in town,” she says.
“Unca Bray?” Ava asks loudly to the man she’s sitting on.
“Yes, little nugget?”
“Uh, why do we all not like this guy again?” she whisper-yells and points to me.
“Because he’s Miss Camryn’s rival. Remember, we were all talking about it the other day?” She frowns, clearly not understanding the words. “He’s the one who wants to open a café on our street.”
Now she’s really frowning. “Right. But…we have one.” She points to Camryn.
He smiles. “Yes, we do.” He turns to me. “See, even children know that your store isn’t needed. Best of luck with that.”
Ava looks up at me as if trying to figure something out. “Mr. Drew. I don’t think he’s Satan. He doesn’t have horns and he’s not scaring me.”
I spit out my drink and Drew laughs. “Well, Ava, I think Satan here doesn’t want to scare people, so he puts on this nice Fletcher suit.”
I glare at him.
Ava slinks back against the man who I presume is named Bray.
“He’s joking, nugget,” Bray says.
“Don’t worry, I’m not Satan. I promise,” I tell her.
She eyes me suspiciously. “Are you sure?”
Camryn leans in. “Yeah, are you sure?”
“For the love of…yes, I’m sure,” I mutter and everyone starts laughing. “Come on over, Satan. Let’s hear all about how you’re helping our Camryn win this competition,” Hutch says as he pats an empty chair next to him. And just like that, I learn that Camryn’s neighbors are quite nice. I get why she likes them so much. And as the evening turns to night and I introduce myself and chat with all of them, I realize just how jealous I am of her life. It’s everything that mine isn’t.
I find myself watching Camryn with her friends. They all seem more like family. The fire pit is going, keeping the cold air at bay. Everyone has blankets and hats. Camryn throws her head back and laughs at something Margie says. The firelight brings out the red in her hair. She looks like a painting, too perfect to be real.
“Tread lightly there,” Kasen says quietly and I realize he’s watching me as I watch Camryn.
“Huh?” I ask, feigning ignorance.
“You hurt our girl and I’ll kill you and no one will find your body,” he says and grins. The smile should be reassuring like he’s joking, but I also think he might not be.
“I promise, I won’t hurt her. We’ll figure something out,” I say.
He leans in. “I don’t mean the store thing,” he adds.
Fuck.
“Yeah, I see you watching her. I’ll repeat. Do. Not. Hurt. Her,” he says again and claps me on the back. “Well, I’m off. Come on, Piper. I need to feed the babies.”
