dinner and that we’ll be eating at six o’clock when our fathers get home from the office.
Bringing my attention back to Camryn, I nudge her with my elbow, “Hey, I was thinking maybe you could give the girls a call and see if they want to meet up at Aces for a few drinks. Sort of like a welcome home party.”
She raises her eyebrows. “It’s Friday night! Mr. Banks doesn’t have a hot date?”
A laugh escapes my throat, holding my hands over my heart, I pretend I’m offended by her comment. “I do have a hot date tonight. I intend to spend the evening with a beautiful brunette, who has the most amazing hazel eyes. When she walks into the room, every man stops and stares at her. So I’ll have to keep her close to me tonight. You know, to keep the vultures away.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down at her.
Her eyes widen and she tilts her head to hold my gaze. Without giving her time to respond, I swing my arm around her shoulder and pull her in to me, whispering in her ear, “You’re my HOT DATE tonight, Camryn Townsend. I plan on spending my Friday night right where I want to be . . . by your side.”
My lips touch her ear lightly. We are so close I can feel the heat from her body.
Her body trembles and she bites her lip, “Jamieson Banks, if I didn’t know better, I would say you’re flirting with me?” She laughs and pushes away from me.
Holding my hands up to surrender, “Hey, I can’t help but flirt with a beautiful woman when I have the chance.”
“Wow! That’s the second time I’ve heard that line today.”
“Who else told you that you were beautiful today?” I ask. She was on a freaking plane for the past six hours. Was someone trying to put the moves on her while she was in the air? Did the guy think he was going to become a member of the mile high club by flirting it up with my girl?
“It’s not important who told me I was pretty.” Camryn waves her hand in front of her, dismissing my question.
Christian clears his throat from across the kitchen island. “Are the two of you done with this little back and forth bullshit? The way the two of you act, it’s no wonder everyone who sees you thinks you’re a couple.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Camryn turns her attention to her brother, “I don’t care what anyone thinks about our relationship, you ought to know that by now. People have been talking for years, I don’t pay any attention to it.”
Christian knows I’m in love with Camryn. I think he has known for years. I got drunk a while back and professed my love for her to him. Of course, the next day I didn’t recall a damn thing about that night, but he felt the need to enlighten me. He’s given me his approval to go after her. He said that he would rather her be with me than some other douche. Christian knows that I can make her happy. I’m sure he isn’t thrilled about the idea of me sleeping with his sister, but he knows I would never hurt her.
Christian told me to tell Camryn how I felt. But I don’t think he understands, if I tell her how I feel, and she doesn’t feel the same way, it could potentially ruin our friendship. Christian has never told Camryn about our conversation. He said it wasn’t his story to share and that it was up to me to come clean to her.
“I know you don’t pay any attention to it. Trust me, I know,” he says with a glance in my direction. “Anyway, let’s talk about our plans for tonight. Do you want to head to Aces when we’re done here and stay in the City with one of us, or do you plan on spending the night catching up with Mom and Dad?”
“Let me see if Mom has anything planned. I feel bad just getting home, then heading to the City.”
“You know Mom. She won’t care,” Christian says.
“Mom, do you mind if I head to the City with the boys tonight? They want to head to Aces to hang out with everyone.” She bats her eyes in her mom’s direction.
“Don’t be silly, sweetheart. Go spend time with the