Chapter 6

SIX

Cameron

“I’ll be back late tonight,” I tell my grandma as I gather my things and get ready to head to work.

“Okay, have a good day, dear! I’m going to catch up with some old friends. Maybe we’ll stop by and see you.”

“Sounds good.”

I kiss her cheek and then hurry out the door and down the sidewalk. I walk to work most days since it’s so close. It takes me less than ten minutes to get to the diner, and I head into the backdoor and to the employee breakroom to clock in and stow my things.

“Hey there,” Ford says, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

He kisses the top of my head and I melt in his hold. I wasn’t sure how to act around him after our make-out session last night, but it appears that we’re going to pick up where we left off.

Not that I’m complaining about that.

The truth is that it feels so natural to be with him like this, to have him touch me and kiss me whenever he wants.

“I’m running late,” I warn him, and he sighs, releasing me.

“Let me know when you take your break and I’ll join you.”

“Alright,” I agree, and he gives me an easy smile.

He drops a quick kiss on my lips and then I’m hurrying past him. I can’t seem to stop the smile from curving my lips as I tie my apron around my waist and hurry out onto the floor. I take over my section from Nikki and get lost in work. It’s the lunch rush so time goes by quickly. Soon, it’s time for my break and I walk past Ford’s office as I head for the breakroom.

“I’m about to go on break,” I tell him, and he nods, pushing to his feet and following me back to the breakroom.

“Be honest,” he starts as we take a seat at the small table. “Did you paint me last night?”

I groan, rolling my eyes as I grin, and he laughs.

“No, I was tired so I went to bed.”

“That’s a shame.”

“I actually haven’t painted that much lately. I got busy with work,” I tell him, the excuse rolling off my tongue easily.

“I can cut your hours if you need me too,” he offers, and I shake my head.

“I need the hours to be able to afford things like rent and food,” I tell him.

“Well, if you ever want me to pose for you, let me know.”

“Really? Are you comfortable doing nudes?” I tease, and he gives me a wicked smirk as he leans closer to me.

“Absolutely.”

I can feel my face heat, but I don’t look away from him. I’ve never really flirted with anyone before. It’s always just been Ford for me, and I was too afraid to try with him before.

You shouldn’t be trying now; I remind myself. This is all fake, a show for Grams. Don’t get attached.

My smile drops and I sit back in my chair. Ford doesn’t notice; he’s too busy asking one of the cooks to get me a burger and some fries.

“Coming right up, boss!” The cook, Gary, calls back.

“Oh, and hold the onions!” He reminds him.

I love how he knows so much about me.

“I’m not sure that I’ll have time to eat all of that,” I point out, and he shrugs.

“It’s not busy right now. You can take some extra time.”

“You need to be careful or your employees are going to start talking about you playing favorites,” I warn him.

“They’ll get used to it,” he says with a shrug.

A bubbly emotion bursts to life inside me and I swallow hard. I love this. I love being with him like this. I feel like a lovesick teenager, like I’m a kid again.

“So, about this next painting,” he starts as he sets my food down in front of me.

“I really haven’t been painting much, and I can’t with my grandma here since she’s staying in the art room.”

“Why haven’t you been painting?” He asks. “Really.”

I grab a fry, stuffing it in my mouth to avoid answering him. The truth is that some of the joy was sucked out of painting when I came back to Wolf Valley.

“I… I failed at it,” I whisper, and he frowns.

“What? No, you didn’t. You’re so fucking talented, Cameron. You always have been.”

“I left and couldn’t make a living at it,” I point out, and he scoffs.

“You barely tried. You weren’t gone for long, and I read that the art industry is one of the hardest to break into.”

“You read, huh?” I ask, trying to change the subject to something lighter.

“Yeah, I did. After you left, I started reading up on it.”

“Why?” I blurt out.

“Cameron!” Nikki calls, and Ford and I both turn to see her in the doorway.

“You have a guest,” she says with a smile.

“I should get back to work,” I murmur, standing.

“Your food.”

“I’ll just take it home and eat it later.”

I grab my plate, tossing it in a to-go box and sticking it in the employee fridge. I hurry past Ford and out to the dining area. I spot my grandma right away and I smile as I make my way towards her.

“There she is! With her beau,” my grandma says and I glance over my shoulder to see Ford right on my heels.

“Hello again,” he greets her.

She’s with her friends, and I say hello to all of them before I grab my notepad to take their order.

“You two are finally together?” Mrs. Warren asks, and Ford wraps his arm around my waist.

“Sure are,” he confirms.

“Well, it’s about time!” Mrs. Abbot shouts.

She’s half deaf so I don’t blame her, but I still wince at the volume.

“That’s what I said!” My grandma says, and the women all share a laugh. “Don’t they make a cute couple?”

“So cute. You two look as pretty as a picture together!” Mrs. Warren says.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Ford says, and I smile.

“Thanks. Can I get you ladies something to drink?”

“Just waters, dear,” my grandma orders.

I turn to grab their drinks, leaving Ford there with them. I can see him charming all of them and smile as I watch him.

I love him, more than I did growing up. It’s different now. We’re not kids and it doesn’t feel like it’s just a schoolgirl crush. It feels weird.

It’s not, my subconscious reminds me and my smile drops.

I keep forgetting that, but I can’t afford to. When my grandma leaves, I have to go back to just being his friend and employee.

We can’t be with him, I remind myself as I heft my tray and head back to their table. What would we do if we messed everything up? We need Ford in our lives. I can’t imagine not seeing him every day and what would I do for work? What happens when I fail at being with Ford the same way that I failed at art?

I need to be strong and try to remember that this is all just meant to be fake.

Somehow, I know that that’s going to be harder than I think.