Chapter 18. Wasted Efforts

Evelyn

“You didn’t tell me you had a party going on here on the beachside—I thought it’d just be a walk by the beach,” I chuckled, swaying with the music as it thumped around us, the star-filled sky above, the wind tousling my hair while Cameron gently tucked a few loose strands behind my ear.

“I was afraid that scary-looking friend of your dad wouldn’t let you come if he got even a hint,” he laughed, sliding his hand around my waist and pulling me closer. Suddenly, I grew aware of our proximity, my senses heightening. “So, I kept it a secret.” He kissed my cheek, and though my body froze, I didn’t pull away. I didn’t want to.

I needed this distraction. Wasn’t this what I wanted? A connection that progressed smoothly, nothing too fast or frantic, just smooth sailing? But that came with its own downsides—no butterflies, no flutters of your heart, and no sparks.

“Well,” I slipped my hands around his neck, our bodies swaying with the music, in perfect rhy