Close to You - Kristen Proby Page 0,46
not?”
“I’m not saying it first.”
“Now who sounds like a kid?”
“I don’t care if it sounds dumb,” I say, and shrug. “I really don’t. I’m not saying it first.”
“Whyever not?” she asks, completely confused. “I mean, who cares who says it first, as long as it’s said?”
“Because what if he just says ‘thank you’? Or ‘you’re so cute.’ Jesus, Riley, I would die. Dead. Deader than a doornail.”
“But what if he says, ‘I love you too, Cami’?”
“Well, that would be nice,” I admit softly. “But what if he just thinks that it’s all just a part of the crush I’ve had on him forever? Because it’s not. What I feel for him now is so much bigger, so much better. He’s not perfect, not by any means, and sometimes he makes me a little crazy, but he’s good to me. He listens to me. I care, more than I ever have about anyone, and I was married, Riley.”
“I know,” she murmurs softly, watching me with happy hazel eyes. “And I watched you be unhappy in a marriage that was just mediocre for far too long.”
“Yeah.” I nod and sigh and absently pet Scoot. “I don’t think anything with Landon could ever be mediocre. He’s not a guy that seems like he’d settle for mediocrity in anything.”
“Do you feel safe with him?” she asks, surprising me.
“Of course.”
“Honestly, Cami, I think you should tell him.”
“Maybe it’s too soon?”
“Oh, please.” Riley rolls her eyes and takes a scoop out of my tub of ice cream. “You and I both know that falling in love happens when it happens. You may have only been dating him for about a month, but you’ve known him most of your life. You know him, Cami.”
“I do.” I nod and stare at the paused screen. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should just let it slip out when we’re making love—”
“Bad idea,” she says, shaking her head. “That shouldn’t be the first time.”
“Why not? It’s as intimate as it gets.”
“Exactly. Don’t force it.” She’s staring at Scoot now. “How long have you had this cat?”
“I don’t know, a little more than a month, I guess.”
“You should probably take him to the vet.”
I frown down at him and realize that he’s been letting me pet him. Without trying to kill me. He’s coming around. “You’re right. I’ll make an appointment tomorrow.”
Scoot glares, as if he knows what I’m saying. “He’s smart,” Riley says.
“I know.” I chuckle when he slips out of my lap and curls up next to me on the couch to give himself a bath. “Want to help me take him to the vet?”
“Not a chance in hell of that happening,” she says, shaking her head. “I have a meeting with the Food Network tomorrow.”
“What?” I squeal, staring at her as if she’s just grown a third arm. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because I don’t want to get all our hopes up for nothing,” she says. “But I admit, I’m nervous.”
“Is this a phone meeting?”
“Video chat,” she says. “They might be interested in featuring us on a reality food show, and they have questions. I’ll be chatting with a producer and a publicist, a few others too. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it.”
“Well, duh. This is so exciting!”
“If the show wants to intrude on Mia’s kitchen, it won’t be. She’ll put up a fight.”
“She is territorial,” I agree. “But she’ll do what’s best for the restaurant.”
Riley and I stare at each other for a moment, then giggle.
“Okay, she’ll put up a fight. But wow, this could be really cool.”
“I’m ready for more wine and more Stephan.”
“Me too.” I nod and reach for the bottle. “Hit play, sister.”
THERE IS SOMETHING furry on my face.
“Mmmph,” I mumble, muffled. With my eyes still closed, I take stock of my body. My head is lying on something bony, and my feet are up.
What the hell?
I open my eyes, but all I see is gray fur. Scoot is sleeping on my chest. I glance up, and there’s Riley, sleeping with her head back on the couch, and my head is in her lap.
“Good morning,” Landon says, startling me.
“Holy crap.” I stare at his smiling face. “Is this a dream?”
“Yes, I’m your dream lover,” he says, and then laughs. “You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I don’t know where it is.”
“What the hell is happening?” Riley asks, stirring.
“Landon just woke us up.”
“Why?”
“You guys didn’t show up to work and neither of you was answering your phone,” Landon explains again, and circles around the couch,