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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Alright, everyone. Let’s keep up the pace.”

My department leads nodded and stood from the conference table, a mix of determination and panic charging the air in the meeting room.

I breathed in deeply through my nose, ignoring the ache in my head. Last week, the chief marketing officer of LearnQuest, Henry Johnson, had asked for a full campaign. I had been excited to win a new client, until he told us he needed the campaign ASAP — in two weeks, to be exact.

It would be a close deadline, but my company had finished bigger projects in less time, so I knew that we could handle it. That didn’t make the past week any less gruelling though.

Exhaustion weighed down every muscle in my body, making my steps drag a little when no one was watching. I’d taken more than a few micro naps during lunch breaks, and with all the caffeine I had been drinking, my heart raced while I still felt exhausted.

I was in a constant state of discomfort, but I forged on because it was my job and my company’s reputation on the line. I couldn’t falter, especially when I was leading the charge and motivating the others to keep pace with me.

When I was the last person left in the conference room, I started to head toward the door, but Cameron walked inside before I could get there. I sighed as he shut the door behind him. “Not now, Cameron. I need to call Henry and give him an update on the campaign.”

Cameron held his arm out to keep me from leaving the room. “It’s time for lunch. He’s probably eating right now, so you can take a break and eat something too. You can call him when we get back.”

I shook my head, taking a step back from him. He meant well, but I couldn’t let him distract me from what I needed to do. “I’ll feel better if I call him first.”

Cameron reached out and took my hand, gesturing to how it slightly trembled. “You’re jittery. You’re drinking too much coffee and not eating enough.”

I parted my lips to argue, but I couldn’t think of what to say. He was right, but sitting down and eating a full meal during the day ate up too much of my work time.

Cameron sighed and pulled me closer, holding both of my hands now. “It’s lunchtime. We’re going to walk across the street and eat at that café that has that chicken salad sandwich you like.”

A faint smile formed on my lips. He knew me so well, which also made me a little sad. We could’ve been getting to know each other much more lately, but I had to keep turning down our plans after work. I didn’t have time to go out on dates, not when I had so much work to do. This client was pumping so much money into this campaign that it could be a disaster if we didn’t deliver what we promised.

“I can do a quick lunch,” I agreed, figuring it wouldn’t kill me to get some fresh air and a change of scenery before diving back into work for the rest of the day. I could always make up what I didn’t finish when I was at home.

He looked relieved, and his hands moved to my hips, stealing a quick moment while we were in the conference room away from prying eyes. “Good. Let’s try to limit your desk lunches, okay?”

“There’s nothing wrong with a desk lunch,” I replied stubbornly.

Cameron flashed me a pointed look. “All the crumbs on your desk beg to differ.”

I swallowed a laugh. If someone out in the hallway heard me laugh, they would know that something was up. That was probably kind of sad now that I thought about it.

There just wasn’t time for jokes when we were in the middle of a stressful campaign. Cameron got a pass, though.

“Let’s go to lunch then,” I said, giving in to his suggestion.

Cameron leaned down and captured my lips in a sweet kiss, his smile pressing against mine. I melted into him, forgetting about everything else going on for a few blissful seconds. The weight on my shoulders lifted. The ache of my tired eyes faded away. Just for a few moments, it felt like things were normal.

When we broke away, the weight returned. The warmth on my skin faded. All of my worries filled my mind again, but with Cameron next to me, the volume was at least turned down a little.

Cameron left the conference room first. It would’ve still looked innocent if we left together, but we needed to put as much distance between each other as possible unless we were actively working on something together. Even if we were overdoing it, we still had a better chance of not being caught.

I waited a few minutes before leaving the conference room, keeping my eyes forward and my expression casual as I headed to my office to drop off my things. Afterwards, I met Cameron outside, waiting for me on the sidewalk. Together, we walked across the street where the little café was located, already smelling fresh bread and strong coffee.

“If you’ll grab us a table, I’ll get our food,” Cameron offered as he opened the glass front door for me.

I nodded and picked a small table by the window at the front of the café. I took a seat and peered outside, watching cars drive by and people walk by on the sidewalks. Downtown was always busy.

As a kid, I loved going to downtown, feeling entranced by the busy people, the chaos, and all the things to do. Now, I got to work in the place I grew up loving. Obviously, it wasn’t as magical as I thought it was back then, but I made it here. That was what mattered.

“Chicken salad sandwich and a water for you,” Cameron said as he placed my lunch in front of me. He sat down, with a Reuben and a water for himself.

“Thanks,” I said.

Cameron smiled a little as he got settled. “We should try to do this more. I know it’s not an actual date, but I like going out to places with you.”

“Once we get through this campaign, I’ll have more free time.”

Cameron’s smile wilted a little. “You’ll still be busy, though.”

“Well, being busy is part of my job description. It’s my company.”

“I know that. I’m just worried about you, Alison. I’m not saying you shouldn’t work,” he explained as he put his hands up innocently. “I just think you need to slow down a little. You’ve been really stressed out since taking on this campaign, and I can tell you’re tired.”

I blinked at him. “Oh, thanks.”

“That’s not what I meant. You zone out a lot. You’re drinking more coffee. I know you’ve been napping at your desk.”

I frowned and looked away from him, wishing he didn’t notice little things like that. Of course, his attention to detail and care were some of his best qualities, but I didn’t like that he could use them against me. How could I argue against him without seeming like a jerk?

“Naturally, I’m more tired and stressed than normal when working on a big project,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “But that’s normal. I know you’re more on edge too.”

“I’m not on edge because of the campaign. I’m on edge because you’re running yourself into the ground,” Cameron stated with a straight face. He wasn’t playing around.

But neither was I.

“Have you forgotten that you’ve been working with me for years now?” I asked. “I’ve always been like this.”

Cameron sat back in his seat. “I know,” he said quietly.

Now, I felt insecure, like he saw me as some heartless machine. Needing to defend myself, I said, “I’ve always been like this. I did the same thing in college.”

“Why?” Cameron asked. He didn’t sound accusatory, though, but genuinely curious .

I couldn’t think of a direct, simple answer. “I’m not sure,” I said with a shrug. “I’ve always believed it’s important to give something my all. Maybe it’s a lesson I internalised as a child.”

“Are your parents like you?” he asked.

“They used to be. Now, they’re retired, living the life in Key West.”

“Well, I want you to be living the life now,” he said. “It’s good to take breaks. It’ll keep you from getting burned out or sick.”

“I did get the flu during exam week of my junior year in college,” I admitted, nearly shuddering at the memory of me sweating and suffering that whole week. That had happened after several all-nighters and skipped meals. My immune system took a huge hit, and I paid the price.

If I got sick now, I was screwed.

“I…” Cameron began, and it was one of the rare moments he looks unsure of himself. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to question your work ethic. I know you work hard, and it’s one of the things I admire so much about you. I guess I just…” he trailed off, then cleared his throat. “I guess I just wish we could spend more time together.”

My heart softened. “Me too,” I murmured. I really did want to spend more time with him, but work always came first

“Well, I’m going to suggest something,” Cameron said. “You’ll automatically want to say no, but just think about it, okay? Really think about it.”

I felt a mix of suspicion and nervousness. “Go on.”

“Promise to be open-minded?”

“Yes, yes. Tell me,” I replied, motioning for him to spill.

“Let’s do a weekend getaway.”

I opened my mouth to shoot him down, but when he gave me a stern look, I shut my mouth. I told him I would think about it.

A weekend getaway meant two full days where I didn’t do any work. I couldn’t catch up on anything that I didn’t finish, and I couldn’t get ahead for next week. I would also be away from not only the company office, but my home office too.

While those things made me nervous, I forced myself to consider the positives too.

Cameron and I would be able to actually spend an extended amount of time together, which I had been wanting to do. I could get out of town and refresh my brain. Getting away would also help me see if my relationship with Cameron could be long-term material. And it would be fun. That was another upside.

“When would we leave?” I asked him.

“As soon as we submit the LearnQuest campaign,” he said. “The project would be finished, so you could spend the weekend relaxing. It’d be a reward.”

I nodded slowly. A reward to look forward to after this current project did sound nice .

“I was thinking we’d leave Friday evening after work and go to the beach. We’d stay at a hotel there, then come back Sunday afternoon. You’d still have Sunday night to prepare for the next week.”

My heart pounded heavily as my face warmed. He really did know me well. “The beach, huh?”

Cameron grinned and nodded. “Hope you have a swimsuit.”

I had a few, but I hadn’t worn them for over a year.

Cameron leaned forward with a hopeful look on his face. “So, is that a yes?”

I held his gaze for a moment, thinking. What could a weekend away hurt? I wouldn’t be in the office, and it was a chance for me to finally spend some time with him away from the office.

“Okay. Let’s do it,” I said impulsively. It would be a good thing for me to have a break, especially after the past few hectic weeks.

“You won’t regret it,” Cameron promised me. “We’re going to have a great time.”

I believed him. A weekend away would be amazing for both of us.