8. Cam

Chapter Eight

CAM

We wake up a little late on Saturday morning, our sex-filled night leaving me tired, yet very satisfied. I send Holly a quick text message to let her know we'd be a little late. I'd planned on being at her place by eleven, but with it already after ten, and we're still in bed, that isn't going to happen.

"Morning, beautiful." Ethan's raspy voice breaks the silence.

"Morning," I say on a yawn. "We have to get up soon."

"I know. Even if I do want to stay in bed with you all day."

"Maybe we can do that tomorrow," I suggest.

"Don't tease me, woman." He laughs, smacking my ass.

"No teasing. If we come back tonight, then we can spend tomorrow in bed, or lounging around. If we crash at Carson and Holly's, then we can get up and come back and do the same."

"Sounds like the perfect day to me," Ethan says, before shifting me so he can kiss me.

"Hey, guys!" I call out to Holly and Carson as we get out of Ethan's car, a couple hours later.

"Hey! Glad you guys could finally make it," Holly teases, as she walks over to me to wrap me in a hug.

"We kind of woke up a little late. Had a late night," Ethan tells her as he walks up behind me, placing a hand on my hip.

"Uh…huh," she says suspiciously, taking in not only what he said, but the fact that we arrived together, and that he's got his hand on me. "So, what's all this about?" Holly circles her hand around at the two of us.

I look over my shoulder at Ethan, smiling up at him as he gives my hip a little squeeze. The smirk on his face tells me he's going to let me take the lead on answering Holly's prying questions.

"After Ethan finished my tattoo, we went out for a drink together. He asked me out for dinner for last night, and we're seeing where things go," I tell her honestly.

"Yes!" Holly cries out. "Carson, I told you I saw sparks between these two! You owe me, babe!"

I can hear Carson grumbling from where he's manning the grill, as Holly continues gloating over the fact that she thought Ethan and I would hook up. Little does she know how inseparable we've been since Thursday night.

We have such a great day at Carson and Holly's. They've invited a big group of friends and family over to enjoy the summer day and set up a temporary pool for the kids to play in, as well as some yard games scattered around for the adults. We mainly just hang out, though, visiting, eating, and drinking. Ethan doesn't stray too far from my side for most of the day, and after we eat dinner, I notice he sticks to drinking water or soda. I inwardly grin, realizing he wants to be sober enough to drive us home tonight.

As the afternoon fades into early evening, Holly and I finally get some time by ourselves to catch up, and we curl up on a couple of lounge chairs in the backyard to chat.

"Spill it, girl. You have to give me something. I knew I saw the attraction; I had that same look when I first met Carson," she says. "C'mon, don't leave me hanging here!"

I laugh before I give her the details she so desperately wants. "God, he's amazing, Holly. I can't begin to describe how incredible it feels to have a man touching me again. I knew it was time to dip my toes in the dating pool again, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly. It feels like we've known each other forever, yet at the same time, it's like we can't get enough time to talk and learn about each other."

"Probably because you're too busy sucking face to talk," Holly chides, snickering.

"Shut up." I laugh, but the look on my face tells her all she needs to know.

She raises an eyebrow. "Mmhmm, I knew it."

"In all seriousness, though. I never anticipated this happening so soon. He's kind, thoughtful, and is genuinely interested in me as a person, not just physically. Ben wanted me to move on, find someone else. I know he'll never be replaced as my first love, Holly, but I'm glad to know I'm not broken; that I'm able to feel something for someone else. I'm just excited to see where this might head."

"Well, I'm happy for you, Cam. You deserve all this and so much more. And Ethan's a good guy. He'll treat you right." She shrugs. "Or I'll castrate him."

I burst out into laughter, and smack her arm. "Holly!"

"What? I mean it. You're my best friend. It's part of the code."

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I love you, too."

"Well, I'm taking bets that you two move in together in a few months, and he proposes within a year."

"Come on, I just met the guy. While I wouldn't brush off the idea of marriage again, in the future, we're taking this slow. Ethan and I are just going to enjoy each day as we have it, and let our relationship take its own course."

She gives me a knowing look, conceding for now. I know her, though, and this conversation is far from over.