Page 74 of Effortless

Or rather, she didn’t do serious.

Hadn’t, her mind taunted. Truth was, she hadn’t been with anybody since meeting Tommaso months ago. Nobody seemed to catch her interest.

But they weren’t something—they didn’t have titles.

So it didn’t matter.

“I don’t bring home dates. This would be a first for them.”

Tommaso smirked. “I’m not really a date, Cam. I’m a friend.”

He was not just a friend. He was far more than a friend.

Camilla liked it and hated it.

She just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

“Cam.”

The surprise in Calisto’s voice was only matched by the widening of his eyes as he opened the front door. His gaze darted to the man standing beside her, and then quickly back to his daughter. She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud at the effort her father was putting forth to put his calm composure back together.

Her dad, the crime boss.

Her dad, always smooth and collected.

Her dad, currently looking like he had swallowed a fly.

Oh, she loved her father. She was absolutely what some people might consider a daddy’s girl, and always had been. She probably always would be.

Camilla still got far too much enjoyment out of shocking her father. She was pretty sure it was only his kids who could actually do that to him. She had yet to see anyone else do it the same way they did.

It was just a little too hilarious.

“You brought a … friend,” her father said.

“I did,” she replied.

Calisto’s gaze drifted back to Tommaso.

It was only then that he finally decided to speak up. “Evening, boss.”

“Just Cal tonight, Tommaso.”

“Sure, Cal.”

Calisto widened the door, and stepped back. “Come on in. I don’t know why you bothered to knock, Cam. You never do.”

Because she had greatly wanted to see the look on either her mother or father’s face when they opened the door to see what awaited them on the other side. It had not been disappointing.

“Your mother is in the kitchen,” her father said. “I’ll be in there when you’re ready.”

He gave a little wave, and then headed back down the hallway.

Tommaso looked to her with a cocked eyebrow. “What was that about?”

“He’s going to warn Ma that I brought someone.”

“Come on, now.”