Page 28 of Pretty Desperate (Pine Village #6)

I blink a few times before feeling the rush of embarrassment. I turn to face her, trying to put thoughts of Kameron and what he’s doing to my panties out of my mind. “I bet. Your hours are probably crazy.”

She nods between bites of her food. “It can get a little hectic every now and again,” she starts, glancing to her right to where her husband sits, “especially with us both being physicians, but it’s so much better than when I was in Chicago. I can breathe here.”

“I get that,” Kameron replies.

“Did you two ever run into each other?” I find myself asking, since they were both living in Chicago at the same time, even if it was a very short time period.

They both shake their heads. “No, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t know he was there. I barely kept up with anyone from here after I moved away senior year. Well, except Hallie, but even then, it wasn’t very regular. Med school was intense, and the first few years afterward were a blur,” Blair states.

“Same. I didn’t keep track of many people when I went away to culinary school,” Kameron says, “and when I started working after school, I dove headfirst into the frying pan. I barely slept those early years, so keeping up with relationships wasn’t something I was good at.”

Gabe looks at Kameron, and I swear something passes between them. It reminds me of a private conversation, one only the two of them know about.

“I bet it’s good to be back,” I say to both of them, and they both nod in agreement.

“Very much so. I never realized how much I loved the slower pace of small-town life until I came home to help with Dad’s practice.

Now, I don’t think I could ever go back to a bigger city.

I love it here,” Blair says, looking over at Gabe, who clearly agrees and is happy to hear her say that.

They’re both established physicians in Pine Village, and I know the entire town would take a huge hit if they left.

“I agree wholeheartedly. I could never go back to a place like Chicago, and even while I was away, I missed this place. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken me so long to get back here,” Kameron adds, a far-off, sad look in his eyes.

I know what he’s thinking—hell, the other two at the table probably know too. He wishes he would have come back sooner and gotten to spend time with his parents before their unexpected deaths.

“You’re here now,” Gabe says, lifting his water glass. “A toast.” When we all do the same, he continues, “To friendship, being home, and to new relationships.”

He winks at Kameron before moving his glass to clink against ours. I follow suit, but my stomach feels heavy. I take a small sip of water, wishing my heart wasn’t beating out of my chest.

I don’t like deceiving our friends.

Especially when my heart is starting to get the wrong idea about my time with Kameron.

The rest of dinner goes well, and when Gabe goes to pay, he’s informed by the server there is no bill. Kameron just smirks and takes a drink of his water. “One of the perks of owning the restaurant.”

“Well, that’s bullshit, but I do appreciate it. We’ll have you over for dinner soon. You and Jillian. But you can’t bitch that my burgers aren’t as good as yours,” Gabe says, placing a very healthy tip on the table.

Kameron laughs. “I’d bitch even if they were the best burgers I’d ever eaten,” he teases his friend.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he replies as he stands up and turns to Blair. “Ready to head to the field?”

“I am,” she replies before turning her attention my way. “We’ll see you there?”

I nod. “I’ll be there.”

Before I can gather up dirty dishes, the waitstaff is there, collecting our used dishes and cutlery and preparing to ready the table for the next guests.

I’ve noticed it has picked up quite a bit, the Friday evening diners ready to enjoy their own meals before heading off to their next destination.

I know I should go. Kameron will need to get back to work. It’s a busy night.

“Come with me,” he says, gently taking my hand and guiding me toward the back area where his office is located. As soon as we step inside the room, he spins me around and presses me against the door. His lips find mine, softly at first, but then more insistent as the kiss deepens.

I whimper against his mouth, desperate for more as he glides his lips down my neck. “I like kissing you, Jilly.”

I feel breathless and a little lightheaded. “I like it when you kiss me, Kam.”

He sighs deeply, his warm breath fanning across my flushed skin. “I wish I could go with you to the game. I don’t even know when the last time I went to a Friday night football game was.”

I clear my throat, trying to push all thoughts of kissing him out of my head. “TD is a great coach. He makes it fun to watch, even though I don’t necessarily know what’s happening.”

He chuckles and straightens to his full height, leaving his hand wrapped around my hip. “Will you tell everyone I said hello?”

“I will,” I confirm, wishing I didn’t have to leave.

“Good. Maybe I can figure something out and go to a game before the season ends.”

“If you do, hit up the first half of the season. Those games in October are too cold for my blood,” I state, hating bundling up in fourteen layers of clothing just to go sit on a freezing bleacher to watch a game. I do it, of course, but it’s not my favorite.

“Noted.” There’s a promise in his eyes, a hint of conviction, as if he’s vowing to attend a game soon.

Maybe even with me.

“You better get going, Jilly,” he says, taking a step back and putting some distance between us.

“Okay,” I say, holding his gaze.

After a few seconds, he adds, “If you don’t go, I’m liable to kiss you again.”

My body heats instantly. “That doesn’t sound like a threat.”

The corner of his mouth curls up in a wicked grin. “It’s a promise, Jilly, so go. Before they fire me from work for making out with my girlfriend in my office instead of cooking food like I’m supposed to.”

I can’t help but grin. “They can do that?” I ask, skeptically.

“No,” he replies with a chuckle. “But it shows you where my head is at, because I’d rather stay in here and kiss you instead of going to where I’m needed.” He takes a deep breath and holds my gaze as he adds, “That’s a first for me.”

Like a peacock, I practically preen with giddiness.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to continue causing you duress while at work,” I say.

“You’re very duress invoking,” he informs me.

I step forward and go up on my tiptoes, pressing a light kiss to his lips. “Thank you for dinner, Kameron.”

“You’re most welcome, Jillian.”

I step back and grab the doorknob. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

He nods. “I hope so.”

As if I were floating on clouds, I exit his office and head for the front door. I wave at a handful of patrons I know, and offer a friendly, “Good evening,” to Veronica as I leave the restaurant, all while wishing I could stay.

Because of Kameron.

He makes me want to be where he’s at, plain and simple.

He puts the smile on my face just by being near.

He stirs up feelings I have no business entertaining.

It’s the last one I should be most worried about.