Close to You - Kristen Proby Page 0,45
and worries her bottom lip. I can see that she’s torn between hanging out with Riley and me leaving for the night, and that’s never a worry I want to give her. She doesn’t have to choose. She can have all of us.
“I’m fine,” I reply, and kiss her forehead. “Have fun with Riley tonight. I’ll see you all weekend.”
Her face lights up. “Do we have plans?”
“Do we need them?” I ask.
“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t care what we do, as long as I get to do it with you.”
“I’m going to gag,” Riley says, and starts for the living room. “I’ll take my chances with your homicidal cat while you all play kissy face.”
“He’s not homicidal,” Cami calls after her, then stares up at me with a happy smile. “Thanks for understanding.”
“I’m a guy, babe. I’ll never understand hot vampires.” I kiss her nose, then her lips. “But I understand needing time with your friend. Seriously, enjoy yourselves. Do you need anything?”
“Ice cream!” Riley calls from the other room.
“So much for privacy,” I mutter.
“The walls are thin!” Riley yells, making us both laugh.
“I’ll go get your ice cream.”
“You don’t have to,” Cami says.
“I know.” I walk through the living room and wave at Riley on my way out.
“Cherry Garcia, please,” Riley says with a sweet smile.
I nod, but rather than walk out, I turn back to look at Cami. She’s just sat down next to Riley, and she’s laughing at something Riley said. Cami’s head is tossed back, her hair fallen back so I can see the soft curve of her neck.
I want to bury my face there and breathe her in.
I rub my chest as I walk out of the house and down to my car. It aches.
I’m in love with her.
I can’t imagine my life without her in it. She’s it for me. And this isn’t just a childish crush. It’s the real thing.
Holy fuck, I’m in love with her.
Now I have to figure out a way to tell her without scaring the shit out of her.
Chapter 11
~Cami~
“Seriously,” Riley says, her eyes glued to the TV, “Stephan makes my insides tingle.”
“Your insides?” I giggle and sit back, giving Scoot room to jump onto my lap, give me the stink eye to make sure I don’t dare try to pet him, then settle in to sleep. “Are we fourteen? Your girlie parts are tingling?”
“Stop judging me,” she replies. “You know what I mean.”
“We really should go to a Comic Con sometime. They are always there.”
“Why haven’t we done that?” she asks as Landon walks back into the house, carrying a bag.
“I have several kinds of ice cream here,” he says with a grin, passing over the bag. “I also grabbed spoons so you don’t have to get up.”
“I like you so much,” Riley says, reaching eagerly for the bag. “Oh my God, seriously! Look at him!” She’s pointing at the screen where a very mostly naked Stephan is standing. “Hubba hubba.”
“He looks twelve,” Landon says, frowning. “You like the young ones, Ri?”
“He doesn’t look twelve,” we reply in unison.
“He’s over a hundred years old in the story,” Riley says, her face perfectly serious. “But he was in his late teens when he was turned, so he’ll always look young.”
“I’m so relieved,” Landon says, laughing.
“Well, I think we have everything we need,” I say.
“Does that mean, please leave?” Landon asks.
“It means, thank you very much, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I wink at him, enjoying the way he looks at me with those hot, blue eyes. He kisses my cheek and waves, then leaves. When we hear his car start, Riley pauses the show.
“Hey!”
“Spill it.”
“Spill what?” I open a tub of Chunky Monkey and sigh happily after the first bite. “You should have some of this.”
“Spill your guts,” Riley replies, also digging into the ice cream. “This is going to be much better than the show.”
“I really don’t have anything to say.” I keep my eyes on my spoon as I eat.
“Lies.” Riley sighs. “All lies. The electricity zinging between you almost electrocuted me. I want the details.”
“Okay, fine. I’ve already admitted it to Addie and Kat. And I’m sure Mia knows.”
“Why am I always the last to know?” Riley demands.
“I’m in love with him,” I mutter, and stare at the ice cream. “Like, head-over-heels, can’t-feel-anything-else in love.”
“That’s awesome. I’m assuming you guys are flinging around the L-word?”
“Nope.” I take a gulp of wine. “No L-words have been spoken.”
She stares at me, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Why