AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As I reach the bar, I feel someone behind me. When I look back, Camden is right there. He comes to the bar and stands beside me, his arm molded to mine. I don’t flinch at the touch. My body’s normal reaction to recoil isn’t there and instead, his body heat makes me want to move closer. I resist.
“I’m sorry about that. I don’t even know that girl,” he says. I can feel him staring at me, but I keep my head forward, waiting for Riggins to come over.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” I tell him.
“Hey,” he says, grabbing my hand from where it rests at my side. “I know I have nothing to apologize for, especially when her advances were unwanted, but I meant what I said in the library. I think you should go on a date with me, Gray Eyes.”
I smile at the nickname.
“I don’t know…” Dating is foreign to me. Dating someone like Camden, someone who I’m sure has experience and expectations of the women he dates.
I can’t meet those expectations. I’m a broken, scared girl with a past I’m ashamed of, that I’m sure will send him running.
“Just one date. You can pick the day, time, and location. Whatever you’re comfortable with. I want to get to know you. Away from our friends, class, and studying. Come on,” he pleads.
“I’ve never…dated before,” I tell him honestly. It’s embarrassing to admit that at twenty years old I have never been on a date.
He smiles. “You really think that is going to stop me from chasing you?”
Riggins comes over, saving me from having to answer Camden’s question. “What can I get for ya, good-looking?” he asks.
Camden releases his hold on my hand, tensing beside me.
Riggins is a sweet guy. He is a major flirt, but that comes with the territory of being a bartender, I guess. His charm is always on, even when it’s as innocent as a wink my way.
“Could you get me an apple martini and a sex on the beach, please?” I ask.
He nods. “Sure thing, gorgeous.” He turns to another bartender and gets their order so he can make them all at once.
“Anything going on there?” Camden asks from beside me.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “Did I not just tell you that I haven’t dated,” I say more as a statement and less as a question.
“Your laugh is beautiful,” he says, making me blush. “And just because you haven’t dated doesn’t mean there isn’t something else going on between you two.”
He can’t be implying what I think he is. “Camden, there is nothing going on with Riggins, or any other guy for that matter.”
My response seems to make him happy. “Then what’s stopping you from saying yes to a date with me?”
“So much,” I whisper.
Riggins comes back with my drinks and glances between me and Camden. There is a silent question in his look, and I shake my head, letting him know this guy is okay.
“Kitchen says your food is ready. Want me to help you get it to the table?” Riggins asks. He keeps glancing between Camden and me.
I nod. “Sure, thanks.” As I bring the drinks back to the table, I can feel Camden following me. I set the drinks down in front of the girls. Stacy has moved on to Levi’s lap and they seem happy with the change.
A hand grabs my wrist and I’m forced to turn toward Camden. He’s staring down at me. While I have never considered myself a short woman at five-six, with him right in front of me like this I am having to strain my neck to look up into his eyes.
“One date, Gray Eyes. Trust me, it will be fun. And if for some earth-shattering reason it isn’t, I’ll leave you alone. We won’t have to talk about the horrible date, although I don’t see how it could go wrong, and I won’t ask you out again.” His eyes are serious. He wants this. Wants me. I have no idea why.
Camden has asked me to trust him on multiple occasions now. I feel as though he can sense that is difficult for me. Trusting him and going on this date would break every rule I have set up for myself. I haven’t allowed myself to be vulnerable around people in four years. Maybe this is the chance; the moment my therapist said would happen eventually.
I find myself letting out a quiet, “Okay.”
Camden’s eyes widen in shock at my answer.
“Blaire Wentworth, you are not going to regret this,” he tells me with a smile on his face. After giving my wrist a squeeze, he releases it and takes a small step back. “And I won’t even make it an uncomfortable date like some movie or something. It’ll be fun, I swear.”
