Chapter 5

FIVE

Ford

She painted me.

She painted me a lot.

I just keep thinking that same thought over and over again. I know it has to mean something, but I also know that Cameron isn’t ready to admit to just what that means right now. She’s going to need some more time.

I’ve learned a lot today, not just that Cameron thinks of me often. I’ve also learned that if I want to get her to do something right now, I just need to ask in front of her grandma. Then Fran, her grandma, always jumps to say yes before my girl can come up with a reason to refuse.

That’s how I convinced them to let me take them out to dinner tonight. I had to run to work to check on things, and they went to the grocery store. Now, I’m headed back to Cameron’s house to pick them up.

I park out front and smile as I head for the front door. I feel lighter than I have in a long time as I make my way to the door and knock. Fran opens it a moment later, and I smile as I step inside.

“Cameron is just about done getting ready,” she tells me, and I nod.

“We’re not in a rush.”

“No, we aren’t,” she agrees. “I have to say, I’m so glad that you two finally got together. I always hoped that you would. You two were so cute when you were kids, always blushing around each other.”

“I’m glad too, ma’am. I’ve always… cared for Cameron,” I say.

It’s more than that, though. I love Cameron. Always have. I don’t know if I should tell her grandma that. Especially if she thinks we’ve only been together for a few weeks.

“Sorry, I’m ready now,” Cameron says as she joins us in the living room.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her as I take her in.

She’s wearing a pair of dark jeans and a flowy pale pink tank top. I watch as she slips a cardigan on and smiles shyly.

“Thanks.”

I offer my arm to Fran as we head down the front steps and she gives me a grateful smile. She’s still pretty spry, but I can tell that she’s getting tired. I can’t blame her; she had a long day of traveling and then catching up with her granddaughter.

“What are you ladies hungry for?” I ask as I open the passenger door of my truck for them.

“You can ride up front, Grams,” Cameron says, helping her into the seat.

“Is that burger stand still open up the street?” Fran asks, and I nod.

“Sure is.”

“Oh, let’s go there.”

“You got it,” I tell her.

I open Cameron’s door for her, and she smiles as she climbs into the backseat. Everything feels so perfect as I head over to the driver’s side and climb behind the wheel. I wonder if Cameron can feel it too, how easy being together is.

I pull into the parking lot of Backyard Burgers a few minutes later and try to park close to the door.

“Want to sit outside?” I ask, and both women nod.

Cameron helps her grandma out of the truck, and I follow them over to a table.

“I haven’t been here in a while,” Cameron says as she takes a menu and looks it over.

“Me either,” I say as I pass a menu to Fran.

We all take a moment to decide what we want to eat, and then our waitress comes over.

“Just a water for me,” Fran says, and Cameron nods.

“Three waters,” I say, and the waitress heads back inside.

“So, how did you two finally come to realize that you liked each other?” Fran asks, and Cameron turns her wide eyes to me.

“Well, I’ve always known,” I admit, and Cameron huffs out a laugh.

“Liar,” she chides me. “We didn’t get together until I started working for him a few weeks ago.”

“I’ve liked you for longer than that, but you had left town, and then when you came back, I barely saw you,” I admit.

Cameron looks shocked, and I turn to Fran.

“But she’s right. I didn’t make my move until a few weeks ago.”

“Took you long enough,” she mutters to me, and I grin.

“Too long,” I agree.

The waitress comes back to take our order, and I wait for Fran to order before I order for Cameron and myself. When I turn back to look at my girl, she looks surprised.

“How did you know that was what I wanted?” She asks, and I smirk at her.

“I know a lot about you.”

“How?” She asks.

“I pay attention.”

Fran is smiling as she looks between the two of us and I wink at Cameron as I grab my water and take a drink.

“How are your dad and brother doing?” Fran asks, and I look away from Cameron to answer her.

“They’re good. My dad had a bit of a health scare earlier this year, but he’s on the mend now.”

“I’m happy to hear that he’s getting better. What about Foster?” Fran asks.

“He’s good. He’s with Lilliana now,” I tell her, and Fran beams.

“That’s great! They were so cute when they were kids and I always knew that one day they would realize they loved each other,” Fran says. “Just like you two.”

She gives a knowing look between Cameron and me, and I nod.

“Just like us,” I agree.

I can tell that Cameron doesn’t know what to make of all of this, and I back off, giving her some time to process things. Our food arrives a minute later and we all dig in.

“Foster took over the mechanic shop then?” Fran asks, and I nod.

“Yeah, my dad retired just last year, and Foster has been running things since. He seems to really like it. I think he’s talking about hiring some help, too, since business has picked up lately.”

“That’s great! I’m glad that you both found your calling.”

She pats my hand and I smile. We finish eating and I pay the bill. I can see Fran’s eyes starting to droop and I head back to Cameron’s house.

“You two go have fun,” Fran tells us as I help her out of my truck. “I’m just going to turn in early.”

The sun is just starting to set as Cameron unlocks the front door and I help her grandma up the front porch steps.

“Do you need anything before bed?” She asks her grandma.

“No, dear. You two go have some alone time. I’ll be fine.”

Fran kisses Cameron on the cheek and then shuffles back to the guest bedroom.

“What do you want to do?” I ask her once she turns to me.

“I should probably stay here and keep an eye on her in case she needs anything.”

“Okay, we can hang out here,” I agree, plopping down on the couch.

“You don’t have to stay,” she protests, and I grin.

“I want to.”

“Why don’t we sit outside? It’s a nice night.”

I nod and follow her out to the front porch. We take a seat on the steps and enjoy the quiet for a moment.

“So, am I your muse then?” I ask, and she groans.

“I was waiting for you to bring that up,” she sighs, and I laugh.

“Can you blame me?”

“No, I guess not.”

I wait for her to go on, and she sighs again before she starts to talk.

“Would you believe that I was just trying to get better at painting people and used you as practice?” She asks, and I laugh.

“Maybe if you had only painted me once or twice, but you had at least five in that room.”

“I know,” she says softly. “I just like your face.”

“Go on,” I smirk, leaning closer to her.

“You know that you’re hot,” she tells me, elbowing my side.

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t complain if you told me more often.”

She side-eyes me, but I can see her biting back a smile.

“I never knew that you felt that way about me,” I tell her, and she looks back out to the road.

It’s starting to get dark now and the street lights flicker on.

“I never knew that you were paying so much attention to me,” she counters.

“Yeah, I’ve been pretty obsessed with you since we were kids.”

Her head snaps to mine and she looks shocked.

“You have? You never said anything.”

“We were always friends and I was scared. I didn’t want to ruin that,” I admit.

She swallows and looks back to the street. A leaf falls from the tree in the front yard, landing in her hair and I reach up, brushing it away.

Cameron turns to look at me and a current passes between us. We lock eyes and I could swear that we were on the same page about us.

I’m not sure who moves first, but soon our lips connect and then I’m kissing Cameron.

I’m kissing Cameron.

Part of me is in shock that this is finally happening, but then my brain shuts off and I cradle her face in my hands as my lips move over hers.

She kisses me back, her mouth moving against mine sensually. I feel her hands land on my chest and she fists my shirt, trying to pull me closer.

I lick against the seam of her lips and she opens for me, letting me slip my tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers.

“Cameron,” I murmur against her mouth, and she moans, her hands tugging at my shirt until I kiss her again.

We’re both shifting towards each other and soon enough our knees knock against each other. I’m reaching for her hips to pull her against me or into my lap when the porch light above us flips on, jarring both of us.

We break apart and Cameron stares at me in shock. Her eyes are wide as she raises a hand to her swollen lips. When she licks her lips, I’m ready to pick up where we left off, but she pushes to her feet, putting space between us.

“I should get inside,” she murmurs, and I nod, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I tell her, pushing to my feet too.

She gives me a forced smile before she hurries inside. I watch her go, trying not to be disappointed as I hear the door lock behind her. Then I force myself to walk away, trying to discreetly adjust my hard-on as I go.