Page 50 of Hard Rock Sin

"She's Noah's sister," Cameron said quickly, as if to reassure her. "She's not a fan."

"Oh!" Cameron's mother let out a small pleased sound, looking relieved. "Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you."

To my complete surprise she took me in her arms and gave me a squeeze. I looked at Cameron quizzically over her shoulder. This was overly friendly. He seemed pleasantly surprised at his mother's gesture.

She held me for a few moments longer than was necessary. Her perfume was flowery, but not overly sweet. She held me gently. Just like a mother would.

My breath caught in a small hitch as she let me go.

Aside from my brother, I couldn't remember the last time I'd been held like that, with such a warm, loving, embrace.

I blinked my eyes, forcing away the faint sting of tears, mad at myself for getting so emotional over something as simple as a hug.

"How nice for Cameron to have someone around who's not—" Grant paused in the middle of the sentence and cleared his throat.

Cameron's expression turned pained, the kind of look one got when being stabbed in the chest.

I wondered what exactly his parents thought about the kind of company Cameron normally kept.

"Cam, honey, why haven't you said a single word about your lady friend?" she scolded him gently.

"It's not like we talk much to begin with," he replied. He seemed to regret the words the moment they left his mouth.

Awkward silence fell over the room. Sharon and Grant shared a look.

"Our schedules are so different, I mean." Cameron hurried to say. "Time zones and traveling and all that." He let out an almost nervous laugh. "I should probably make more of an effort to keep in touch."

"Cam, honey, we were hoping to take you out to dinner sometime this week, if you're free," Sharon said. "We'd like to talk to you about something."

Cameron blinked. "Dinner?"

"We're thinking that new French place, La Côte Basque Winehouse."

"Sure, I'd love to," he said with enthusiasm after recovering from his surprise. "I've heard really good things about the restaurant. I've been planning on going there myself. I love French cuisine."

I almost snorted, thinking he was joking, but held it back. Cameron had sounded genuine. I side-eyed him.

This whole thing was weird. It was if he'd had a personality transplant the moment his parents arrived.

His mother turned her attention to me. "You must come out to dinner with us this week, Lily."

"Oh. Um." I glanced at Cameron.

Cameron shot me a look of disbelief as if he couldn't believe his parents had asked me out to dinner with them. I had to assume this was the first time his parents had ever extended an invitation to one of hisfriends. He seemed taken aback, but not unhappy.

"I have some exams to study for," I told her.

Sharon frowned, confused. "It's the summer, dear."

"I'm taking summer classes to get extra credits at college."

Cameron's mother beamed. "How wonderful. You must be a very driven young lady."

"I want to be able to focus on my art during the school year."

"An artist!" Sharon looked delighted. "I'd love to hear more. You must have dinner with us," she pressed. "I insist."

"If Cameron doesn't mind," I said hesitantly. "I'm sure you'd like to catch up with your parents alone."