replies dryly. “Three-year-old and a two-year-old, boys. They’re in bed, thankfully.”
Joshua shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “If you ever want to lose your mind, have two children that close,” he grumbles.
I laugh as Adrian hands me a glass of champagne and holds his up until we all clink his glass. “To Ashley the doctor.” He smiles softly
“You know that I’m a doctor?” I frown. Has Cameron been talking about me?
“I know all about you, Ashley.” Adrian smiles.
“You’re fucking creepy, Murph,” Joshua says, and we all laugh. “Ignore him, Ashley. He knows nothing.”
My eyes linger on Joshua, and I can’t believe just how good looking he and Cameron are. How do two brothers seem so different, yet so similar?
Cameron is tall, broad and dark like Joshua, but where Joshua is rugged, Cameron is cultured. Cameron has the whole rich playboy look mastered to perfection.
Cameron walks over and picks up his glass. He grabs my hand, our eyes meet, and I feel myself melt. As long as he is with me, everything is okay.
Adrian
I watch Cameron watching Ashley and I smile. He’s absolutely smitten and hangs off every word that comes out of her mouth.
I like this girl. She’s different to anyone he’s ever dated before. Naturally beautiful, intelligent, and witty, and she gives it back to him. I haven’t seen Cameron like this with anyone, ever.
The conversation has been light and natural. She’s very easy to get along with and I’m getting flashbacks of when I first met Natasha and the hold she had over Joshua. Dinner is nearly ready and Natasha is fussing in the kitchen. Joshua is doing as he’s told and helping her. Cameron is next to me and Ashley is on the other side of him. We’re sitting at the kitchen counter still drinking champagne.
“Can I help with anything, Natasha?” Ashley asks.
“No thanks. We got it.” She smiles as she bends to get something out of the oven and Joshua’s hand drops to her behind, only for her to swat him away with the tea towel.
“Behave.” She smirks and he grabs her again just to show her who’s the boss.
I smile. He can’t keep his hands off her.
“Adrian, shall we have pie or cake for dessert?” Natasha asks me.
“Pie,” I reply, distracted by Ashley and Cameron. I can’t take my eyes off them.
The sexual energy between them is palpable.
A text beeps through Ashley’s phone and she picks it up to read it, immediately frowning.
“That’s weird,” she mutters to herself. I don’t think they can tell I’m listening.
“What’s weird?” Cam asks as he slides his hand up her thigh.
“I just got a text to say thanks for my phone bill payment today, but I didn’t pay it yet,” she whispers.
“Oh, I paid it this afternoon,” Cameron replies nonchalantly.
What? Cameron is super conscious with his money. He is serious about this girl.
Her face falls. “Why would you do that?” she whispers angrily.
“Because I know you didn’t have the money to pay for it,” he whispers back.
“How fucking dare you?” she hisses.
I bite my bottom lip to stifle my smile and I sip my drink as I listen.
“Don’t how fucking dare me. A simple thank you is all that’s needed,” he snaps back.
I shouldn’t be listening, but I really can’t help myself.
“Just because you have money, it doesn’t mean I fucking want it,” she whispers angrily.
He taps her on the leg and signals to us. I try and act as though I’m not listening. “Yes, pie would be great, Tash. Do you want me to whip the cream or anything?” I ask.
“No, it’s good. Joshua can do it.”
Joshua shakes his head, smiling with a curled lip. “Whip the cream, Murph,” he mouths.
“Can you show me the back yard, Cameron?” Ashley asks as she stands abruptly.
Cameron purses his lips and I want to hoot with laughter. He’s going out the back to get blasted.
I really, really like this girl.
“Sure.” He picks up his glass and leads her out the back, and I watch as they close the door behind them.
“Oh my God,” I whisper to Natasha and Joshua. “She’s gone out there to give it to him.”
Natasha’s face falls. “What? Why?”
“He paid her phone bill and she just found out.”
Joshua frowns. “How do you know that?”
“I was eavesdropping.”
Joshua rolls his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?” he mutters with a shake of his head.
Natasha comes over to the counter. “Cameron really likes this girl. I haven’t seen him like this before.”