She giggled, then noticed his hand was turning purple. She let go and smiled at him. “No.”
“Backstreet Boys?”
She snorted, then slapped her hand over her mouth. Had she really snorted? How embarrassing. “No. R.E.M.”
“Really? They’re a good band. Why would I have laughed at that?”
“Not everyone likes my taste in music.”
Camden grinned at her. “Not everyone is me. Now, what’s your favorite color?”
“Sunset orange.”
“What? That’s not a color.”
“Yes, it is. It’s the color of the sky during a sunset.”
“That’s totally cheating.”
The look on his face made her laugh. “Why? That’s the color I like the best.”
“But sunset orange has pinks and purples in it. It’s a gradient, not a solid color.”
“My favorite color is a gradient. Get over it. Just because your favorite color isn’t as cool as mine—”
“Hey, who said mine wasn’t as cool?”
“What’s your favorite color, then?”
He tapped his chin. “Sea blue.”
“Talk about cheating! You just changed your favorite color so yours is a gradient too.” Kenzie tried to keep a straight face but failed.
“You’re impossible to please.” He scoffed, but she saw the smile in his eyes. “Okay, on to another favorite. What’s your favorite movie?”
“That’s easy. Better Off Dead.”
“Seriously? I love that movie. There’s nothing funnier than the kid on his bike screaming, ‘I want my two dollars.’”
She whacked his leg. “Get out. I can’t believe you’ve seen that. Most people just look at me funny.”
“What? It’s a classic.”
“I think so. I guess everyone else isn’t as sophisticated as we are.”
He grinned at her. “True. What’s one movie where you would change the ending if you could?”
“Titanic. Worst. Ending. Ever. I mean, Rose, you idiot, why didn’t you take turns on the floating wooden thing? Really. How stupid to have him die. That was an epic love story. There was no reason for him to die.”
“I’m going to disagree with you there. The movie is so memorable because he died.”
Was he crazy? “What? There are plenty of epic love stories that are memorable even though neither one of them die.”
He slowly pried her fingers off the armrest. She hadn’t noticed she’d gone back to gripping them with all her might. His warm hands enclosed hers. “But the ending was so poignant. It took a decent film and made it epic.”
She scoffed. “Whatever. Share the floaty thing and live. That’s what I say.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. If you could go back to school to learn anything, what would it be?”
“Web design.”
One eyebrow lifted. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been trying to get a website up and running for months, but it baffles me. I need some help figuring it out.”
“I’m no expert, but I could help you get one up and going.”
“I’d need an online shopping cart.”
He nodded. “I’m pretty sure I could help you figure that out.”
“Thank you. That would be wonderful.” She pulled out her phone and glanced at the clock, suddenly feeling tired. One in the morning.
“Do you want to lie down? These seats recline.”
“Maybe for a little while.”
He showed her how to adjust the chair, and they both reclined. He took her hand again. “How are you doing?”
She realized she wasn’t as tense. She still didn’t love the idea that they were so high in the air, but Camden had successfully gotten her mind off it, and she’d relaxed a little. “I’m alright.”
“Good. Close your eyes and focus on the pressure of my hand.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll tell you about the time I accidentally locked myself out of my hotel room.”
She opened one eye. “And I imagine you were naked.”
“Why would you imagine that?” He gave her a fake shocked look. “Do you often imagine me naked? Because that’s not right.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Funny.”
He chuckled. “I thought it was.”
“So, what happened?” She closed her eyes and settled back into the seat.
“I had gone out to get ice, but I forgot my key. I got back to my room and could hear my cell phone ringing, but I couldn’t answer it. I was expecting an important call.”
“That’s not good.”
“I finally found someone to let me into my room, but it was too late. I’d missed the call. Had to call them back with a lame excuse.”
He was speaking softer now, and the drowsiness took over. “Mmmm.”
He shifted in his chair, and for a second she thought she felt him press his lips to her forehead, but the feeling was gone so quickly, she must have imagined it. “Goodnight,” he whispered.
She felt herself slip into sleep. At one point she became aware that she was snuggled up against Camden, her head on his shoulder. She decided not to worry about it. He knew they were nothing more than friends. She allowed herself to drift back to sleep.
The plane dipping woke her with a start. She sat up, her heart hammering. Was this it? Was the plane going down? “It’s okay,” Camden said, his voice calm. He raised the back of her seat, then took her hand. “We’re about to land.”
Relief flooded through her and she swallowed. “Thank goodness, it’s almost over. I’ll feel a lot better once I’m on the ground.”
He squeezed her hand. “If you could time travel, where would you go?”
The plane jolted again and she sucked in a breath. “Eighteen hundreds. Before airplanes.”
He didn’t laugh at her, he just continued to hold her hand as the plane touched down and put on the brakes. They came to a stop, and Kenzie looked down to see his poor fingertips were purple again. She let go of him. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said, flexing his hand. “We made it.”
A rush of feelings enveloped her. Camden had not made fun of her for being afraid to fly. He’d spoken to her to calm her, and he had stayed right by her the entire nine-hour flight. He hadn’t complained when she’s squeezed the life out of his hand. He’d successfully taken her mind off her fear and relaxed her so she could sleep. She wanted to tell him thank you, but that seemed inadequate somehow. The words wouldn’t come out.
She rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Ten after six in the morning, local time.”
“Plenty of time to get to the hotel and get checked in. Mason gave me the schedule, and there’s nothing planned before ten.”
Camden grabbed their luggage and helped her down the stairs. She refrained from getting down on all fours and kissing the cement. They rented a car, and Camden drove them to the hotel where the family reunion was taking place.
When they got to the front desk, Kenzie felt like curling up on the tile and taking a nap, but she put her elbow on the counter and rested her cheek on her hand. It wasn’t until the lady behind the desk said there was only one room left that her head snapped up, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“I’m sorry, we’re booked solid. All I have left is one suite on the third floor.”
Kenzie groaned and buried her face in her hands. “That’s great.”
“We’ll take it,” Camden said to the lady. He turned to Kenzie. “We’ll make it work.”
She forced a smile. Camden was right. They’d figure it out. The lady at the desk typed on her keyboard. “The room won’t be ready until noon. You can come and get the key cards after that.”
“Sure. Can you hold our luggage for us?”
“We’ll lock it in the back room.” He followed the employee around the desk, then disappeared into the back. Had he gotten more handsome overnight? He had a day’s stubble on his jaw, and his hair wa
s a bit tousled, but that just made him sexier. Kenzie tried to keep her heart from hammering in her chest, but she was having a difficult time. She repeated the mantra in her head: just friends . . . just friends.
He came back from the room; with one look, she knew she was in trouble.
Chapter 22
Camden sat across from Kenzie as they ate breakfast. The hotel was large, and the breakfast area spilled out into an open area with a water fountain and a glass elevator. Skylights lit the area. They sat by a palm tree that came up through a grate on the floor.
He was so proud of her for getting on the plane. She had amazing courage. He could see how frightened she was, but she pushed through it. For Mason. The thought made his stomach sour.
“I told you my favorite movie. What’s yours?”
“I’m a classics kind of guy.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Gone with the Wind?”
“No. Princess Bride.”
She got that funny look on her face, the one where she’s trying to hide a smile, but not quite succeeding. “That’s not a classic.”
“It totally is.”
She rolled her eyes and picked up her glass of water, hiding a wide smile behind it before taking a drink.
Mason came in the breakfast area and strode over to their table. “There you are. How did you get here so fast?” He pulled a chair from another table and sat next to Kenzie.
“My jet.” Camden enjoyed the surprised look on Mason’s face.
“Wait—you have a jet? And you got her to fly?”
Camden admitted that he probably had a smug look on his face. “Yes.”
“Well, all right.” Mason grabbed her hand. “Where’s the ring?”
Kenzie frowned and pulled it out of her purse. She slid it on her finger, but didn’t look to happy about it. Mason’s arm snaked around Kenzie’s shoulders. Kenzie stiffened, but didn’t move away.
Camden tried not to grind his teeth. Kenzie was there to pretend to be Mason’s wife. As much as it annoyed and angered Camden, there wasn’t much he could do about it.
“The family is meeting in the courtyard in a half-hour. I’ll wait here with you so we can walk in together.”
Camden lost his appetite.
“That’s fine,” Kenzie said.
Mason leaned back in his chair and raked his fingers through his blond hair. He was handsome, Camden had to admit it. Handsome and confident. And Camden watched as Mason’s gaze flitted to a woman in a tight dress standing by the elevator. His eyes slid down her body, and Camden felt like throwing up.
“How’s your father doing?” Kenzie asked.
Mason didn’t take his eyes off the woman. “Mm? He’s fine.”
Kenzie’s fork clattered to her plate. “Fine?”
Mason finally looked at her. “What, babe?” When he noticed the fire in her eyes, he straightened. “I mean, fine for being just out of the hospital. Overall, he’s not doing well. But he’s having a good day. A miracle, really.”
Kenzie suddenly stood and Mason’s arm dropped. “Let’s go. I want to get there early.”
Mason shrugged. “Okay.”
They took care of their breakfast trays and Camden trailed behind as Mason and Kenzie walked in front. Camden’s heartbeat pounded in his ears as Mason put his arm on Kenzie’s shoulder. This weekend was going to give Camden permanent heartburn.
They entered the courtyard. Tables and chairs lined the brick. Palm trees and shrubs decorated the area, and a small water fountain sat in the middle. A woman approached them. “Kenzie. I’m glad you made it.” The frown on her face didn’t match her words. She gave Kenzie one of those fake hugs, where her arms were sort of around Kenzie’s shoulders but she didn’t pull her close, and let go faster than necessary.
She turned to Camden. If her gaze could have turned any frostier, snow would have started to fall. “And who is this?”
Mason pulled Kenzie to his side, his arm around her waist. “This is Camden, Kenzie’s assistant. I told you about him. Camden, this is Delores, my mother.”
He shook the ice queen’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Well. When Mason told me about Kenzie’s assistant, I was thinking . . . well. You’re different.”
Camden wasn’t sure what to say, so he simply smiled.
“He just wanted to come meet you. Kenzie got a big jewelry order in this morning, so Camden’s going to be super busy today.” Mason shot him a look. “You might want to go start on that.”
Camden wasn’t about to leave Kenzie alone with Mason. “Actually, I got all that shipped out already,” Camden shot back. “I’m free for the rest of the day.” He hooked his thumbs in his pockets.
Kenzie flashed him a wide smile. “Camden’s very efficient.”
Mason’s mother narrowed her eyes at Camden. “Is he, now?”
Kenzie skillfully shrugged out of Mason’s grasp. She took two steps toward Delores. “Where’s Alfred? Mason said he’s having a good morning.”
“He’s resting in our suite. And yes, I’d say he’s having a good morning.”
“Oh, good. I was worried when Mason told me about his heart attack.”
Mason’s face drained of color.
Delores frowned. “He didn’t have a heart attack.”
Mason swept in and put his hand on Kenzie’s arm. “You misunderstood me. I wasn’t talking about father.”
A couple entered the courtyard and Delores whispered, “Excuse me.” She glided over to them. “So glad you could make it. How was the flight, Irene?”
Kenzie rounded on Mason. “You lied about your father. How could you have done that?”
“I’m sorry, but you weren’t going to come. I needed you here.” His face didn’t look apologetic at all.
“I ought to smack you,” Kenzie hissed.
Camden wished she would. In fact, he started imagining it.
“He’s dying anyway. Why do you care if he was in the hospital or not? You don’t have the right to lecture me on ethics. You destroyed our marriage.”
Kenzie’s cheeks flamed red as she clamped her mouth shut. She yanked her arm away from him and stalked off to the other side of the courtyard. Camden didn’t care what it looked like—he followed her.
More people entered the courtyard and Mason went to talk to them. Camden didn’t dare pull Kenzie to him, so he shoved his fists into his pockets. “You okay?”
“This was stupid. Why did I come?” She blinked, trying to keep the tears at bay. One slipped out anyway, and Camden brushed his knuckles over it. His fingers tingled from the contact with her skin.
“You have a big heart.”
“I have a stupid heart. I’m such an idiot.”
I love your big, stupid heart. Camden pinched his lips together. He couldn’t say the words. Could never tell her how he felt, because as soon as he tried, she would run. He took in a breath, and let it out slowly. How was he going to make it through this without screwing it up?
***
Kenzie discreetly wiped her cheeks. Tom Hanks’s voice screamed in her head: There’s no crying in baseball. She needed to suck it up and get through this. She was being a baby. Mason was a jerk, and she already knew that. She couldn’t let him past her wall. She needed to build it a little higher. Make it stronger. She could get through this, and then never see him again.
“Kenzie!” Mason called from across the courtyard. “Come meet my cousins.”
She nodded, then took in a deep breath. “Duty calls.”
Camden caught her arm. “Remember, we can leave whenever you want. Just say the word.”
The concern behind his eyes softened her. “Thanks, Camden. You’ve been a great friend.”
He let go of her arm like it had caught on fire. He pressed his lips together and nodded.
Kenzie joined Mason, Camden following behind her. They spent the next two hours being introduced to family members Kenzie had no idea existed. She smiled and small talked while Mason manhandled her. The
smell of his cologne sickened her, but she kept grinning like a fool anyway. Just when she thought she was going to lose it, Camden pulled out his cell phone.
“Oh no.”
Everyone who had been ignoring him now looked at him. Kenzie squirmed away from Mason. “What’s wrong?”
“Emergency order. I can’t say who is commissioning this piece—we have a strict client confidentiality clause—but she’s quite famous overseas. And she must have this in her hands before the upcoming party at Buckingham Palace.”
There was a collective gasp.
Camden slid his finger over his phone screen as if he were reading an email. “She’s paying the several-thousand-dollar rush fee, so I’m afraid we have to get back to the room and start on the piece.”
Mason’s Aunt Irene put her hand on Kenzie’s shoulder. “Well, dear, Mason said you made jewelry for some important people, but I had no idea.”
Kenzie could have kissed Camden, right there in front of everyone. Instead, she just smiled. “Yes. The business has taken off and Camden is invaluable. I’m sorry to disappear, but hopefully I’ll get done before this evening’s dinner.”
Delores pinched her lips. “I’m sorry that you’ll miss Alfred. He’s awake and will be down any moment.”
Guilt bubbled up in her chest. “I’ll hurry.”
Camden took a step back. “Nice to meet you all.”
“Bye,” Kenzie said before Delores or Mason could pile on more guilt. She turned and walked with Camden back into the hotel. As soon as the doors were shut, relief lifted her shoulders and she looked up at him. “That was brilliant! Thank you. I thought I was going to die in there. Mason and his arms. I thought he had like seven of them.”
“You looked like you needed a breather.” They walked through the lobby to the front desk. Camden got their luggage and suite key cards. “Let’s go put the luggage in the room, then we can find somewhere to eat lunch.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Kenzie tried not to stand too close to Camden in the elevator, but a large group of people got on right after them, and she ended up pressed against his chest. His broad, well-defined . . . she shouldn’t be thinking about that. And dang, he smelled good. Her hand involuntarily splayed across his chest. “Sorry,” she whispered.
Her Big Fat Fake Billionaire Boyfriend (Billionaire Series Book 1) Page 14
