Page 39 of What Should Have Been Ours

I lean back, resting my arm over the back of the seat. “Not in the market for anyone right now.”

Not anyone who isn’t you at least.

She nods once, not saying anything. Just processing that.

Something about the way her shoulders tense up confuses me.

Wanting to change the mood, I nudge her knee again. “Besides, I won our bet, remember? That means you’re stuck with me tomorrow, and that’s all I’ve got time for with my busy schedule.”

That gets her to look back at me, an amused glint plays in her eyes now. “So, what are we doing tomorrow, oh victorious one?”

I grin, resting my chin on my hand. “Now that, Gabrielle, is a surprise.”

15

Gabrielle

Twelve years apart, and as soon as I’m back around Cam, it feels like all the years apart don’t even exist. Being near him feels like the most natural thing in the world.

So why am I so nervous? It’s just Cam. Just my childhood best friend, my first love, the guy who disappeared from my life for years and then showed back up with my heart still firmly in the palm of his hands. No big deal.

I pace my apartment, waiting for him, pretending like I’m not second-guessing everything right now. Kinsley has already told me to shut up three times over the phone, which, considering her usual lack of patience, is actually pretty generous.

I get off the phone with her shortly after so she can go back to work and not get herself in trouble for sneaking the phone call with me that I told her was a 911 emergency.

It’s fine. I’m fine. This is all—fine.

Then there’s a knock at my door.

I take a deep breath before pulling it open.

And—yep. Mistake. Huge mistake.

Cam leans against the door frame, wearing a fitted dark gray athletic T-shirt and black sweats. His hair is still slightly damp from a fresh shower.

He’s not supposed to look this good while looking so casual.

Definitely not helping my restraint.

“You ready?” he says, his eyes roaming over me before a slow smile tugs at his lips.

I grab my bag and walk out of the apartment, locking the door behind me. When I turn to face Cam, I see him still watching me.

It’s like the man can magically summon all of the butterflies to swarm my stomach just by looking at me.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Are we actually going to leave, or are you just going to stand there staring all day?”

His grin deepens. “What can I say? I enjoy the view.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t fight the smile pulling at my lips as I start to walk toward the stairs, stopping once I get to them and waiting for him.

He falls into step beside me, nudging me lightly with his arm. “Let’s go, trouble.”

* * *

It isn’t until we’re far away from the city that I realize where we’re going.

The shore.