Page 47 of The Write Track
I laughed at her morose expression then released her hand and lightly slapped her knee. “Come on. Let’s take a look around the campground. I want to see what we’re dealing with.”
“And then?”
“And then we’ll come up with a plan of attack for Preston.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is going to be easy. That guy is used to people falling at his feet. When that doesn’t work with us, he’s going to get more and more frustrated until he shows his ass in public.”
“Do you really think he will?”
“Iknowhe will.”
She blew out a sigh. “Okay. Let’s look around the campground. I still think this whole thing is weird.”
“Oh, it’s nuts. We’re committed to the plan, though. Plus, I think I can get a lot of writing done at this place. It’s only a month. We might be able to benefit.”
“I guess.” She didn’t sound convinced. “I probably am going to have to take regular shopping breaks, though. Don’t tell Bree.”
“My lips are sealed.”
THE CAMPGROUND WAS BIGGER THAN I’dthought. A full trail circled the lake, which wasn’t overly large but a decent size for things like kayaking and swimming. We chatted as we walked, talking about movies and books. We liked a lot of the same things. She was open and excited when talking to me, and I found I was sucked in by her energy.
All of that enthusiasm died when we made it to the big bonfire pit, where Preston stood with other authors who werepart of our group. I recognized their faces from events at various restaurants and bars and wasn’t surprised that he seemed to have attached himself to Daisy Freeman, a very young new author who had made a splash in contemporary romance this past year.
Daisy was only twenty-two and busty. She knew it too. Every shirt she wore had a vee, and her cleavage was impressive. I would never say otherwise. She was friendly enough, at least on the surface, but there was something about her I didn’t like. I hadn’t even attempted to hit on her, which was unheard of for me. I would have at least reflexively flirted with her. I never had, though. She seemed manipulative to me, like she was lining us all up for a specific reason. I couldn’t put my finger on why I didn’t like her. The fact that she was giggling like a schoolgirl as Preston schmoozed her only made me dislike her more.
“There you guys are,” Bree boomed, gracing us with a bright smile. “Did you get all your heavy petting in on the other side of the lake, away from prying eyes?”
Next to me, Bella stiffened. I recognized what Bree was doing, however, and returned her smile with one of my own. This was all for show, to drive Preston nuts.
“We had a very nice time,” I confirmed, taking Bella’s hand.
Her fingers automatically linked with mine, and for a moment, it rocked me how right this felt. I wasn’t much of a hand-holder. It had never seemed important to me. I was only doing it here for optics. Yet somehow, I liked holding Bella’s hand.
I liked it because she was little and vulnerable, I decided. I felt protective of her. It had to be that, right? It couldn’t be anything else. Even as I reassured myself it wasn’t a big deal, part of me—a bigger part than I was comfortable admitting, even to myself—wasn’t convinced.
“What’s the plan for dinner?” I asked, desperate to give myself something to focus on other than how much I liked holding Bella’s hand.
“I have food being delivered in two hours,” Preston replied, focusing his full attention on me. There was harsh edge to his stare. He truly hated me.
Good, buddy. The feeling is mutual.“Great.” I gave Bella’s hand a little tug. “We’re going to head back to our cabin to unpack. We’ll see you guys for dinner.”
“Have fun,” Bree called out in her singsong way. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Brody gave his fiancée an adoring look. “You’ll do anything.”
She shrugged. “That’s what I said.”
I waved them off and refused to look at Preston. He wanted to be the center of my world, to live rent-free in my head. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Not for anything.
12
TWELVE
Nathan closed the curtains the second we got back, causing me to raise an eyebrow.
“Do you have something against sunshine?”
