Page 59

Story: The Loneliest Number

“Yes.”

“Did you get my messages?”

“Yes.”

“Cat got your tongue? You’re usually more loquacious than this.” Damn him and his fancy-arse words in that hot accent that’s causing the butterflies to dance in my stomach.

“I’m busy, Cam. Maybe we can catch up later.”

He heaves a sigh and looks down towards Tom. “Is it okay if I borrow her for ten minutes?”

My eyes plead with Tom to say no. I even chance a slight shake of my head. His eyes meet mine and there’s a sparkle in them I can’t figure out.

“Yeah, use my office if you want.” He gestures in the direction of his tiny cupboard of an office.

My gaze turns murderous, and I hope he can sense every single evil thing I’m thinking about doing to him right now.

“Abby, please, can we talk?” Cam asks. He doesn’t sound cocky or arrogant. He sounds genuine and dammit, that tugs somewhere in my chest. I give a nod.

“Sure.” As I stalk past Tom, I mutter under my breath, “traitor,” and his chuckle follows behind me as I meet Cam at the end of the bar and show him to Tom’s office.

It’s a tight squeeze. Cam is not a small guy, and this office wasn’t built for meetings. I gesture to Tom’s chair and step back so he can work his way around the desk to sit there. I close the door firmly, trying to send the signal to Tom that I’m pissed he put me in this situation, and lift one of the stacked chairs from the corner to pull up on the opposite side of the desk.

“Are you okay? Is everything all right with your mum?” Cam asks, leaning across the table with concern blazing in his eyes.

“I’m fine. Mum’s gone. We’re short-staffed, so I’ve been picking up extra shifts. Rushed off my feet.” I clamp my lips together. I’m babbling and annoying myself by doing so.

“And you’re okay after last weekend?” His voice is soft and husky, just like it was when we were curled up together—just the two of us in that massive hotel bed, post fucking.

“I’m fine, Cam. Just busy.” I stare at the pile of paperwork on the desk, avoiding his knowing gaze at all costs.

“When can I see you?”

I look at my watch. “You’ve still got five minutes of the time you requested from Tom.” I let the annoyance tinge my voice.

“Surely it’s more like eight minutes?” His smirk is teasing, but I refuse to give in to it. “You’re pissed I asked him instead of you?”

“Yes,” I exclaim, meeting his gaze finally. It’s easier to meet him head on when I’m annoyed.

“But if I’d asked you, you would have said no and used work as an excuse.” He’s not taking any prisoners with the frown drawing his brows together. “Wouldn’t you?”

I shrug. “Probably.”

“I was worried when you didn’t reply to either of my texts. Just wanted to check you were okay, and I thought you’d prefer we do that in private.” Warmth radiates in my chest at the thought of having someone worry about me.I’m glad it’s him.

“I’m fine.” I try to offer a reassuring smile. His cynical expression indicates I might be failing with my attempt.

“We didn’t really get round to properly talking about us, after what Saff said. I thought we were okay when you came back to the hotel with me, but now I wonder if you’re avoiding me.”

How the hell do I even begin to answer him when I don’t even know myself what the fuck I’m playing at here?

“I…” I draw in a deep breath. Cam’s brows are pinching together with two fierce lines between them. “I think I need some space. I don’t really know what’s going on between us. And I’m not looking for anything serious.” My throat prickles with dryness. I wish I had a glass of water. It would also give me something to do with my hands.

“Whatdoyou want?” he asks, his tone curious.

“I just want to have fun. I don’t want to be in a serious relationship. That’s not who I am.”

“We have fun together, don’t we? Why can’t that continue?”