Page 28 of Meeting Me, Loving You (Hearts of Maple Lake #1)

Ali raises a brow at Cam’s mention of Penny, and I wave it off. “Penny’s his pet fish.”

Not that it would matter if it really was his girlfriend. We’re not a couple.

Ali looks genuinely concerned. “You’d give your fish coffee?”

“No, of course not!” he says, amused. “You think I’d drown my fish in coffee? I care for Penny too much to let her come all this way just to drown in delicious, caffeinated water.”

We all laugh, and after my first sip of the Lavender latte, I smile just a little, surprised to discover I don’t hate it.

Cam and Ali are looking at me eagerly, and I give them a nod of approval. Ali squeals and claps her hands, looking more excited than I do when Dax learns a new trick. Which is saying a lot, because Dax learning new commands is one of the most exciting things in the world.

“I’m not saying I love it, but it’s not terrible. Flowers in coffee is an interesting combination, though.”

“But you tried it,” Ali says, “which is a big thing for you. I gotta get back to work, but promise you’ll come tell me which one is your new favorite!”

Her lips pull into a disappointed frown at having to miss the rest of the tasting, and she heads back behind the counter to help a waiting customer.

I continue sampling the drinks. Some of the flavors roll gracefully across my tongue, making me take two, three, and four more sips, while others are too sweet, their flavors overpowering one another—flavors more conducive to cookies than coffee.

As I taste all the different hot and iced coffees for the next ten minutes, Cam watches me intently.

He isn’t asking me questions after every swallow, nor is he pushing me to hurry my process.

His arm rests comfortably over the empty chair beside him, examining as I sample the lattes and occasionally go back to the ones I liked best.

Once I’ve gotten through all six drinks, I put the last cup back on the tray and push it away from me. I’ve had my fill, and I’ve come to my conclusion.

“Well?” Cam asks, placing his forearms on the table. He’s leaning toward me with interest, intent on hearing my answer. “Find something you like?”

That’s the second time he’s asked me that today, first when he thought I was swiping on a dating app, and now with the coffees.

“Surprisingly,” I pause for effect, “I did.” I smile broadly at him, and he mimics my smile in return. “I really liked the hot Chestnut Mocha thing and the iced Lavender one, even though I still think it’s really weird to put flowers in coffee. I was pleasantly surprised.”

Cam’s warm laugh fills my already heated belly. “May I?” He gestures toward the drinks, and when I nod, he grabs both cups, taking a long sip from each.

“Mm, yeah,” he says, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.

The motion looks too good as he does it, and I dart my eyes away.

“They’re much too sweet for me, but I’m glad you found some new drinks you like.

” He sets the cups back on the tray. “All you needed was a little push and here we are. Juliet Berns has not only one favorite coffee order, but three .”

He looks secretly proud of himself, but I find myself attracted to the small fact that he isn’t being cocky about getting me out of my comfort zone. He’s not rubbing it in with an “I told you so” attitude. Cam is all calm and cool, the complete opposite of prideful.

And it’s a breath of fresh air .

“Thanks for the push, Cam,” I say through a smile. “This was actually a lot of fun.”

“It was just coffee.”

“But it wasn’t just that. It was a chance to try something new, as trivial as coffee may be. And I wouldn’t have even bothered to get out of my comfort zone if it weren’t for you.”

His gaze rests on mine for three beats of my heart before he says, “You’re welcome, Jules. It was my honor.”

And just like that, I think I feel the door to my heart crack open just a sliver.

Ali jumps onto my bed and grins at me, her glasses slipping down her nose as she makes herself comfortable. With a brush of her finger, she pushes them back up and points a playfully aggressive finger in my direction.

“You have some explaining to do,” she says through a laugh.

Taking a seat beside her, I grab a pillow and hold it on my lap. “I told you, Cam and I are just friends.”

“I know that’s what you said , but why?!” Her eyes blow wide, and, without a warning, she chucks a pillow at my face. “That’s the worst excuse ever! He’s so cute!”

I can’t help but laugh, and I throw the pillow right back at her, being somewhat careful so I don’t hit her glasses.

“Being good looking isn’t a reason for me to date someone, Ali. I’m not in a position to have a serious relationship right now.”

“You’re right,” she groans as she sets the pillow down. “I just want you to let someone take care of you for a change.”

“Ali, I don’t need a man to take care of me. That’s why I have you.” I send a cunning smirk her way, and her mouth drops open as she pretends to be stunned by my comment.

She squints at me. “I knew you were just using my friendship for your gain.” Ali can’t keep a serious face, and she breaks into hysterical laughter.

“How much coffee did you have during work today?” I ask her, realizing she’s acting the way she usually does when she’s had too much sugar or caffeine.

“Probably less than you had from all the drinks Cam bought you!” she retorts. We both smile wide, remembering how sweet the gesture was.

Taking the pillow from my lap, I place it at the head of the bed and lay down. Ali copies me until we’re laying shoulder to shoulder.

“That was really sweet of him, wasn’t it?” I ask quietly, clasping my hands over my stomach.

“It was more than sweet. It was… romantic.” Ali’s voice is dreamy, and I turn my head to look at her.

“Would Trey do something like that?”

She chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Trey is all kinds of sweet, but he would never buy me six coffees at once. He’s too finance-conscious for that.”

Ali and Trey are an amazing couple, and it’s been exciting for me to watch them grow together in their relationship. I can’t always give Ali the best advice, seeing as she’s much wiser than I am, but it’s always nice to chat with her and hear what’s going on in her love life.

“Have you made plans to see Cam again?” Ali asks.

“No, but I think he’ll let me know when he expects to check another activity off his tourist list.”

Running her fingers through her dark, curly hair, Ali lets out a contented sigh before looking over at me. “He’s good for you. I can tell. ”

I turn my head toward her and meet her gaze. “How so?”

“I don’t know,” she says, shifting her focus to the ceiling. “But I can just feel it. Something good is coming.”

Hey.

Cam

Hey, I was wondering when I’d hear from you.

Oh? Are you sitting around waiting for my texts?

Cam

Could you blame me if I was?

I mean, I’m not that exciting. You must be pretty bored if I’m your best option. *winky face emoji*

Cam

You’re wrong. Just seeing your name on my phone made me smile. I’d say you’re the best option for that.

Well, in that case, can I take you up on that movie night offer?

Cam

Always. I haven’t had a good movie night in a while. How about this Friday?

Friday night is perfect. My place. I’ll have popcorn.

Cam

Can I bring you dinner? Pizza always pairs well with movies.

Somehow you know all the right things to say. I’d love pizza! Cheese only.

Cam

You got it, Plain Jane. You pick the movie. I’ll see you Friday.

Our Friday movie night came and went in a blur.

Cam brought over a pizza that was half cheese, half meat lovers.

In so many ways we’re the complete opposites of each other, but it’s in all those ways that we seem to fit so well together.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started becoming friends with Cam, but it wasn’t this.

We watched an action movie that I’ve always loved, stuffing our faces with pizza and popcorn.

It was Cam’s first time watching the movie, so I did my best to remain quiet while he enjoyed the action.

I’m a talker during movies, and it was difficult to tone it down.

The only people I watch movies with are Tyler and Ali, and they’re used to my narratives by now.

But I kept getting self-conscious with Cam, catching myself before I’d say something out loud.

Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind, and he even went out of his way to ask me what I thought of the most important parts.

I lay back on my bed, remembering how much fun it was to spend time with him last night. Is it too soon to text him again? No. We need to make plans for his tourist list. Maybe I can give him some ideas. I pull out my phone and find his name in my recent texts, typing out a new message.

Last night was fun, thanks for the pizza. I’d love to hear what other kind of ideas you have for your tourist list.

It’s only a minute before his reply comes through and my heart skips.

Cam

Are you sure you want to know?

Yes! Unless they’re activities you know I wouldn’t be up for. You can go ahead and scratch “ice fishing” off the list.

Cam

You’re funny. No ice fishing, I’m afraid. The lake isn’t frozen anymore. So far, I have biking, hiking, rafting, and tubing on the list. A few of those will be for the summer, obviously.

That’s a good list. We should add horseback riding. There’s a stable not too far from town.

Cam

And risk breaking your neck? Your brother would kill me. If I want to try getting back into his good graces after all these years, we should pass on that.

Maybe you’re right. Okay, I’ll keep brainstorming.