Page 21 of Provoking Camden

I inhale slowly. “I’m freaked out,” I whisper.

“I should come home, then.”

“No. There’s nothing you can do. I’m safe here. Nothing is going to happen. I just need to get my head on straight.”

“Please tell me you’re not going back to your apartment anytime soon.”

“According to Camden, I’m never going back there.”

Her breath hitches.

“What?”

“I’ve never heard you call him Camden. It’s always Professor Arnalt.”

“Yeah, well, things have changed in the last ten hours. We’re on a first-name basis now.”

“You won’t leave, right? I’m only going to agree to stay in California if you promise you’re going to stay at Camden’s. Don’t get any wild hairs and decide you should go back to your apartment. Promise me, Simone.”

“I won’t.” I shudder. I might make a fuss over the fact that no one wants me to go home, but the truth is I don’t want to go there, either. I’m uneasy about it. I’m worried, wondering if that man knew me. Did he stalk me? Did he follow me from Surrender? Or was I a random target?

“You might not be ready to hear this yet, but remember that therapist I went to a while back? The one you recommended?”

I nod. “Yeah.” She’s talking about Master Quinten. He’s a member of Surrender.

“Well, if you decide you need someone to talk to, he’s really good.”

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I might need a therapist over this, but it’s possible. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Good. Let me know. Or Camden, of course. I’m sure he knows Quinten.”

“I will, thanks.”

“You’re sure you’re okay there without me coming home?”

“Positive.” I’m not sure I’m okay at all, but Natasha returning from her vacation to visit me would only add to my stress since I’d be responsible for her missing out on fun in the sun. “Enjoy the beach. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Okay. Be good. Try not to be too hard on Camden.” She giggles.

“I’m not going to agree to anything of the sort,” I joke.

“I’ll text you when I get back in town.”

“Later.”

I half expect Camden to pop around the corner the second I hang up, but he doesn’t. I’m grateful that he let me have some time with Natasha. His hovering is sweet, but I might have punched him in the face so we’d have a matching bruise if he’d remained leaning over me during the entire conversation. On principle alone.

Chapter 7

Camden

* * *

It’s been two days since my world nearly fell out from under me. More than that. Fifty-eight hours since Jameson called me and I took off for the hospital.

It’s Simone’s third morning in my house. I know it’s to be expected that she would look and feel worse at this stage, but she’s more despondent.

When I’m with her, she will look me in the eyes and even sometimes gives me a lopsided smile. But the moment I leave her alone, she goes into a trance. She spends most of her time curled up in the overstuffed armchair in my bedroom.