Page 86 of Effortless

Every part of Camilla that was not ready to deal with her new emotional reality screamed at her not to ask that question. Yet, there it was. Out there for Tommaso to hear, dissect, and answer with something that could break her apart even more.

His answer did just that.

“I don’t know,” he said.

“Of course,” she replied with a wave.

Not giving him a chance to respond, Camilla headed for the kitchen. She was already turning on the electric kettle and pulling a cup and coffee from the cupboards by the time Tommaso came in behind her.

“Of course,” he echoed. “What’s that supposed to mean, exactly?”

“It doesn’t mean anything, Tom.”

“I think it does, Cam.”

She set the coffee mug to the counter a little harder than was necessary. She didn’t miss the way Tommaso cocked an eyebrow at the action. It probably wasn’t helping her whole I’m fine routine.

What did it matter now?

“I guess a little more time with you would have been nice,” she settled on saying.

There. Let him make of that what he wants.

Tommaso came closer, and his hand skimmed over her back until he was holding tightly to her side. Just his touch alone relaxed some of her overactive, angry nerves. She wasn’t sure what to make of that, either.

“You are on March break for another few days,” he pointed out.

Camilla went about pouring teaspoons of coffee and sugar into the coffee mug. “What about it?”

“You could come with me to Chicago.”

She stilled in place, freezing up instantly at his suggestion.

Tommaso let out a dry chuckle.

“Wow, that went downhill fast, huh?” he asked.

“I can’t go to Chicago with you, Tom.”

“Why not? You’ve got time.”

“Because I still have a couple of things for school that I need to work on even if it’s March break. My mother and father are here, and I don’t just up and leave without giving them some kind of notice.”

Not to mention her father was still having some health problems. She didn’t offer that information to Tommaso, however, as it was still something their family was dealing with privately.

“Plus, August and I have some stuff planned this weekend,” Camilla added. “I’m not going to blow her off just to head to Chicago with you.”

“Just for me,” he deadpanned.

His flat tone hit her like a nail straight through the heart.

“I didn’t mean it like—”

“Nah, it’s fine, Camilla. I get it.”

Tommaso let her go, and took a couple of steps back. Instantly, she wanted to reach out and pull him right back into her. Stupid pride kept her from doing it, if only because she thought this might be easier.

Like ripping off a fucking Band-Aid.