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“And you’re saying it’s only a fling, Abby. It’s not like you’re serious about the guy. Have some fun,” Mel encourages, and yet, she knows where having some fun can lead. To heartbreak and sad eyes.Not that I’m not going to fall for him.

“It just feels like I’m being a traitor to Tom and this place.”

“I don’t think you are, and I doubt that Tom would think that either. Have some fun. You deserve it,” she says with a wink. “And if you’re still worried, talk to Tom.”

I guess I could. Maybe if I keep it completely fun, it will help. I remember Cassidy’s earlier comment. “Perhaps I could see if he wants to come and play at the Clubhouse later this month. If we play with other people, at least I won’t feel like I’m giving him allmy attention. But damn, that man is good in bed. It would be a shame not to enjoy his company again.”

“That’s the spirit, use him for sex.” Cassidy grins. Mel and Laura nod in agreement. I guess that’s settled then. But I’ll speak to Tom first.

I’ve still not reached out to Cam. It’s been almost a week since my night with him, and I’m feeling antsy. Now I know he’s close by, it’s even harder not to reach out and text him. He’s been surprisingly quiet. I was half expecting daily booty calls since I left his hotel room, but there’s been nothing. Maybe he’s moved on with someone else. I frown, not liking that idea. Especially after the girls helped me decide a fling would be fine.

I’ve been avoiding walking past The Juniper, not wanting to seem like I’m stalking him, but today I can’t resist the urge any longer.

It’s disappointing when I saunter past at a snail’s pace, trying to catch a glimpse of Cam. There’s plenty of activity and yet, no sign of the man himself. I have no reason to pop my head around the entrance and see if he’s there, so I don’t let myself. If he wanted more, he would have been in touch by now.

I let loose a sigh as I head towards work. I’ll be early now, but there’s always something to keep me busy.

The unlocked door surprises me when I get to the bar. I’m early enough that I thought I’d be the first one here.

“Hello?” I shout as I enter the doorway, but there’s a strange stillness that comes from an empty bar. I’m so used to it being full of patrons that I’ve come to appreciate the quiet when I’m here alone. But if that’s the case, why was the door unlocked? I head towards the staff room to check the roster as I didn’t lockup last night. Surely it’s not been left unlocked all night. I’m going to lose my shit if it has.

As I step towards the corridor, muffled voices come from the direction of Tom’s office, and relief loosens the muscles I’d inadvertently tightened with my worry.Thank fuck for that. No-one has to lose their job.Tom’s door is shut and the voices are pitched low enough that I can’t make out who’s in there. I head past to the staff room, jumping when the door swings open to show Carl, the cook, sitting at the table reading the paper.

“Oh,” I gasp. “Why’s everyone so bloody early today?”

“Hey, Abby. I got an offer of a lift and took it. And luckily, the boss was just arriving at the same time and let me in.”

“Who’s he meeting with?”

“I dunno, didn’t recognise him. Some massive Scot. They’ve been holed up in his office for at least a half hour.”

I try to keep my face neutral at the mention of a Scot, reminding myself of the five million Scots, but then, it did actually turn out to be Cam the last time I thought that.

I chat with Carl for a bit, as we don’t get much time to catch up all that often. He’s usually busy in the kitchen and finishes before closing, while I’m behind the bar.

“I’m gonna go and water the hanging baskets,” I tell him, reaching for the watering can I keep at the top of the lockers and the stepladder from behind the door.

“Catch ya later, let me know if there are any specials you fancy next week, and I’ll add them to the menu.”

“Will do.” I love that he always asks the staff what they like and ensures we get a portion when we’re on a long shift.

I fill the watering can and carry it, with the ladder, out to the front of the building. It’s a bit of a faff because the watering can isn’t big enough, so I have to keep going back and forth to fill that as well as move the ladder between each of the baskets. But on a sunny day like today, I enjoy the task. I’m deadheadingsome of the marigolds in one basket, the watering can perched by my feet on the step stool, when the door of the bar opens.

“Careful,” I shout, so they know someone is right by the door. I look down from the ladder, and my mouth falls open as Cameron steps out. I jolt, knocking the watering can from its precarious perch, causing it to tip towards him. A gasp escapes me as I watch it unfold, but his gaze is focused on me, and he doesn’t see it happening.

The water hits him in the crotch, soaking through his smart looking slacks.Huh, he does look smart today. But what the hell is he doing here?

He looks down at the large splash in the unfortunate position with a grimace as his hand comes up to grip the top of the stepladder. His other hand wraps around one of my thighs.

“You shouldn’t be doing this by yourself,” are his first words to me since I left his hotel room. And his tone is grumpy AF.

“I’m so sorry. You surprised me.” I’m frozen to the spot, the warmth of his hand holding my thigh spreading through my whole body.

“Oh shit, I’ll grab you a cloth,” Tom says, making an appearance at the doorway, and taking in the scene.

“You should have someone else holding the ladder while you’re doing that.” Cam’s gruffness is increasing with each word. I guess having an unexpected soaked crotch (and not in a fun way) will do that to a man.

“It’s fine. I’m not up here long enough usually. You just took me unawares.” I grip the top of the ladder, my pinkie brushing against Cam’s solid grip as he holds it in place, and I give him a tentative smile.