Page 49 of The King Contract
I’ve been busy lying my ass off.“I’ve had a bit on.”
Callum starts telling Millie all about it. The lazy swims at the rock pools, the morning surf sessions, stargazing if the sky is clear and cracking a beer at nine a.m.
“We kayaked last year, which was pretty sick,” Callum adds.
Millie’s nose wrinkles. “Kayaked?”
Callum smirks. “Not a kayaking type of gal?”
“I can barely stay alive on solid ground,” she points out.
“We’re not kayaking this year,” I promise. “But you’re welcome to join us for a surf.”
“No, thank you.”
Callum flops on the couch across from her. “Have you ever tried?”
Millie shakes her head, and Callum pretends to be wounded. “You’re killing me, woman.”
“Coordination isn’t exactly my strong suit.” Millie crosses her arms over her body and glares at me. “I’m not camping if there’s pressure to do activities.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. You canwatchwhile we surf. The scenery at Pebble Cove is breathtaking.”
Millie’s eyes light up. “Can I bring my camera?”
I ignore the pang of guilt about the one lost to the ocean. “Of course.”
Seeing her excited about the things she likes is endearing and I smile, affectionately smoothing my thumb over her chin. Millie’s eyes flare with heat at the contact.
“You two are nauseating,” Callum grumbles.
Millie’s eyes widen and I drop my thumb, unsure of what came over me. Pretending is coming so naturally I forgot Callum was even in the room.
Millie deflects. “Do you have a girlfriend, Callum?”
I snort and head into the kitchen. “Yes, Callum, do you have a girlfriend?”
When I look back at him, he’s giving me the finger. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“You should ask him that in front of Steph when you meet her,” I taunt, firing up the coffee machine. “She’s coming on the trip.”
Millie’s lips curl into a smirk. “Uh-oh, I sense tension.”
Callum sits up, his voice hard as he says, “Steph and I have an arrangement.”
“Oh, one of those,” Millie says, nodding. “I’m sure it’s balanced and not at all complicated.”
Callum points at Millie. “Don’t you start.”
Millie smiles cheekily at him and asks him questions about himself as I make the three of us coffee. Callum’s laughter and Millie’s snorts echo around my house and I find myself grinning. It’s been a long time since I’ve smiled at the sounds in my home. I’ve spent too much time partying and not enough time focused on the things that really matter, like coffee and jokes with the people I care about.
“You’ve surfed your whole life?” Millie asks, as I place our coffees on the table.
“Cheers mate.” Callum reaches for his. “I’ve surfed for a long time, but not as long as King, and I’m nowhere near as good.”
“I’d say it’s not a competition, but that’d be a lie,” I say, handing a cup to Millie.
“Thank you.” She takes a sip and moans as she swallows. I glance at her, quirking an eyebrow and she hides her face behind her mug, fighting off a smile.
