Page 72 of Her Filthy Grump
Kameron
I lean against the green cushion at the restaurant and study the menu. The white sheet is covered in grease smudges, but the food is phenomenal.
“What’re you getting?” Cole asks as he tosses down the menu.
“I’m getting the tenderloin. You?” Cole and I have grown tight over the last several weeks. We have the same schedule at the station, so when we’re off and Layla’s working, we go out to lunch together.
The first day I met him, I thought he was a cocky pretty boy, but he’s not like that at all. Well, he’s cocky, but he’s the kind of guy that has everyone’s back. And it helps that he’s not interested in Layla.
“Same.” He rubs his stomach. “I’m starving.”
I cock an eyebrow. The dude eats like a pig and never gains any weight–he must work out like a fiend. “Don’t you have a photoshoot coming up?”
“Yeah, in a couple of weeks.” He shrugs. “It’s not a big deal.”
“What’s the situation between you and Harbor?”
“Nothing.” He wrinkles his nose. “She’s my best friend’s kid sister. We’ve always had a ‘you’re a pest’ kind of relationship.
“Oh.”Shit.Layla has her heart set on Cole and Harbor getting together. I hate to burst her bubble.
“She thinks I’m a player. Her dad thinks I’m irresponsible. And her brother would kick my ass if I looked at her.” He picks up the menu, and I grin.Yeah, there’s something there.A guy doesn’t know how a woman’s family feels about him if he doesn’t have his boxers in a bunch over her.
“She’s a good-looking woman.” I pick up my water and watch the condensation run down the glass while waiting for the fireworks.
“Don’t get any ideas.” His jaw flexes.
“Is that brotherly advice?”
He growls and waves the waitress over. “Let’s get it to go.”
“Fine. I’ll stop giving you shit.” I grin at, Emily. She’s bubbly like Layla but has platinum blonde hair rather than auburn. And she’s probably four years younger.
“Hey, ya boys. What can I get for you?” She drags her order pad out of her apron and smacks her gum between her teeth.
After we give her our order, Cole crosses his arms. “Quid pro quo.”
“What?”
“Tit for tat.”
“You want me to get a tat on my tit?”
He glares. “Asshole.” Then, he grins. “However, if you want a tattoo on your tit, you should get a butterfly.”
I love Cole’s quips. He’s full of quotes and colloquialisms. When we get going, we can go all night.
“How’re you and Layla? What’re you going to do when your cousin comes back? She’s a great girl, and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
My hand shakes, and I drop it from the glass.Did I swallow part of the Sahara Desert?But I’m not about to take a drink. If I do, I might end up with water spilled all down my shirt. “I have no idea what I’m going to do.”
Every second of the day, I spend thinking about Layla and what to do when my time’s done. Do we try long distance? Do I stay here? Do I ask her to come with me? All those thoughts swirl like a hurricane in my head until I’m barely sleeping. “There’re still six weeks to figure it out.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes. Of course. What’s not to love about her? She’s an amazing person.”
“But?”