“I used to go camping some when I was younger, but I haven’t been in years. It seems like I haven’t done much of anything lately but work.”
I wanted to steer her away from the topic of work if possible because I couldn’t tell her what kind of work I did for Hazen’s company, but sure enough, it was the next thing she asked.
“Do you work as a photographer or something else?”
“I do photography mostly these days, but I work for a friend’s company here and there.” I held my breath and hoped she wouldn’t ask me to specify.
“That’s great. Where do you go camping?”
“There’s a place up in the hills that’s a bit closer, but caught light pollution in the last image, so I have to find a place further west. I need someplace dark.”
“I don’t know that I’d like to be all alone in the pitch dark,” she said.
“What if you weren’t all alone?” I asked boldly, looking into her emerald eyes.
She cleared her throat and a blush rose to her cheeks.
I asked my next question, trying to lighten the conversation. “The latte is good, but I’m feeling like a steak. Do you eat steak?”
“I love a good steak. I can’t remember the last time I had one. Aunt Helen makes smothered pork chops that are out of this world.”
“Aunt Helen?” I wondered if she lived with her aunt. That could pose a problem if we wanted privacy. With Megan living at my place, we couldn’t go there.
“She’s not my aunt; she’s my friend Rain’s. I live in their garage apartment. Both of my parents moved a few years ago, and they took me in. I’ve got my own space, but my best friend is right next door, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
“That sounds great.” Really great, in fact, no nosy aunt just down the hall. “So what do you say to dinner?” I asked her again.
“I’m in. Where are you taking me?” I caught her glance over across the room and turned to see her make eye contact with a girl across the room with jet black and purple hair.
When I glanced back at Kami, her cheeks were redder. “That’s my friend Rain. She’s trying to be discreet about keeping her eye on me, but she was afraid you were going to be a pervert.”
“Well the night is still young,” I said in an over-the-top way that said I was joking. But was I? She laughed, took my hand, and led me across the room to her friend’s table.
“Hey, Rain. This is Tate Evans. Tate, this is Rain Campbell.” Rain held out her hand.
“It’s good to meet you. I was just finishing up my coffee and about to head home. Should I wait up?”
That’s up to you.
CHAPTER NINE – KAMI
Tate brought me to dinner in his jeep, and I couldn’t get over what a nice ride it was. The thing was tricked out with every additional feature you could imagine, and I knew he must have a good job to afford it.
For dinner, he’d bought me the biggest steak and shrimp platter I’d ever seen, and I had more than half of it in a to-go box.
We’d spent the better part of two hours getting to know one another. We shared stories from our childhoods, talked about photography as well as our other hobbies, and confessed our hopes for the future. It was thrilling to hear that he wanted a sole career in photography as much as I did.
“That was an amazing dinner. I only wish I could have finished.”
“I can’t believe I did. I haven’t eaten that much in a long time.” He helped me into the lifted jeep and placed the to-go box in my lap after I clicked my seatbelt.
He went around and climbed in beside me. “Do you need me to take you back to your car at the Loving Cup?”
“No, Rain brought me. I didn’t want to have to go back for my car. I live across town, not far from the coffee shop.”
“I’ll take you home then. If you’re ready?”
I didn’t want the night to end, but I gave a nod, not wanting to sound too eager. “Sure, thanks.”