Page 6 of Below the Surface

I bite back a grin. I admit I was skeptical about pursuing anything beyond friendship with Cameron. My skepticism shifts toward interest with each passing moment.

She shakes her head. “I’ve called one person ma’am in my life—my great-grandmother in Georgia. She was about a hundred and fifty andmean.”

I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help myself. My God, she’s endearing. “I’m sorry, Cam. Listen, I like you. I’m not about to pressure you into a romantic or sexual relationship. I’m not Caleb, and you aren’t Kelsey. I don’t have a hidden dungeon I plan to throw you into, and I may be older, but I have a few years before I can move into the over-fifty-five community.”

Cameron giggles and blushes.

“I know Kelsey is your best friend. And it’s understandable she’s shared things about her relationship and her experiences with you. But she shouldn’t assume that my situation is parallel to hers.”

“I’m so sorry, Piper. It’s weird.”

“Talking to me is weird?”

“No. Not talking to you—talking to you about this. I never imagined we'd talk about this if we ever went out.”

“Did you imagine us going out?”

“Sure.”

My face must show my genuine surprise because Cameron chuckles.

“I’ve liked you for a long time,” Cameron tells me.

“Why didn't you say something?”

“I’m not good at that,” she tells me. “Men ask me out all the time. They tend to be obnoxious.”

My gaze narrows.

“I don’t think they see me,” Cameron says. “More like who they think I am. Do you know what I mean?”

“I think so.”

“And I can’t be myself with someone like that. With men, it’s like they try to seduce me because it’s a conquest—something to prove. And women? They flirt and wait for me to take the lead."

“You don’t need to explain,” I tell her. “I think I see the picture.” I take a deep breath. It’s strange for people not in my lifestyle to have conversations about sex—to establish interests and limits with someone before they enter an intimate relationship. I wish I knew what Kelsey told Cameron about me. “Something Kelsey told you has made you uncomfortable.”

“Contracts.”

“Contracts?”

“Yeah. That we might need a contract.”

I groan. We haven’t even had a proper date. “Kelsey,” I mumble.

“I think she just wanted me to be aware of?—”

I hold up a hand. “We might as well have a candid conversation since Kelsey has apparently opened the genie’s bottle.” I’ve learned over the years that once you let a genie out of the bottle, it’s impossible to stuff her back inside. “This isn’t what I envisioned for tonight. We’ve been friends for years, Cam. I’ll be honest. I never considered you as anything more than that.”

Cameron nods sadly.

“That’s because you’re Kelsey’s best friend. And frankly, you come across as someone who likes maintaining control.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard that before. People either expect me to be in control of everything, or they get off on trying to prove they can break me. That applies to every part of my life.” Cameron looks down.

“Not for me,” I tell her, and she looks up at me. “I think you have the idea being with me would mirror Kelsey’s relationship with Caleb.”

Cameron bites her lip.