Page 17 of Sophia & Cameron
“You could say that,” Sophia muttered.
Her friend’s eyes widened. “That sounds like a story I want to hear.”
“It’s not that interesting, really. He’s just a flirt and a tease.”
“Sounds like someone else I know.”
Sophia gasped and dug her elbow into her friend’s side. “How dare you?”
Emma shrugged. “All I’m saying is that you don’t exactly go after one guy for long.”
“Yeah, because we can’t all be lucky enough to snag a Keagan.”
Emma laughed. After a little while, she went quiet. “Well, if he’s not an option, then who is? We need to find you a man.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “I don’t need a man or anyone else. I have my family and my job. I’m perfectly happy.”
The look her friend gave her made it clear she didn’t agree, but at least she wasn’t going to argue with Sophia about her opinion.
Movement from across the yard stopped her even if she had wanted to say something to that effect. Caleb and Mateo stopped to speak to Cameron for a moment, and then they resumed their walk toward the house. Caleb gestured toward Emma, and she got to her feet. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Sophia nodded. “See you then.”
“Wow, you lookgood.”Emma’s compliment warmed Sophia’s heart. “Caleb is going to have to fight guys off you with a bat.”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t bring it with me tonight, Sophia. So you’re on your own.” Caleb chuckled as he shut the truck door.
Sophia laughed with him. “Don’t worry. I can handle myself.” The country club was already in full swing. And yet all Sophia could think about was the last time she’dreallyenjoyed going dancing. She’d come here since meeting Cameron at the conference five years ago, but nothing had compared to that night she’d been in his arms.
She shook her head to clear it of the memories. The pain that came with those memories had become more potent ever sinceCameron had shown up. And with that pain came additional memories of the first man who had ever betrayed her.
Closing her eyes briefly, she shoved those depressing thoughts deep into her soul where they wouldn’t be capable of bothering her tonight.
She was here to have fun with her friends, and she refused to let her past stop her from doing so.
They entered the country club, the upbeat music making it easier to let her past fall away. Almost immediately, Caleb dragged Emma to the dance floor. Sophia waved at her, laughing at the squeal that escaped Emma’s lips.
Once upon a time, Sophia had wanted to find that kind of love. But now she knew better. It was getting harder and harder to find someone who was so devoted that they would never leave the person they loved. Cheating and divorce rates only continued to grow higher. The fact that two members of her family had been affected by the former proved it.
Rather than jumping right into the fray and dancing with a stranger, Sophia decided to order a sweet tea. She didn’t want to blame Cameron’s presence on the ranch for the tension in her muscles, but part of her knew that was exactly what had happened. He was everywhere. His eyes would remain trained on her whenever she entered his vicinity. Needless to say, she had been on edge, and it was all because some small part of her still had feelings for him.
That was crazy, right?
Yes, definitely crazy.
She got to the counter and placed her order. In no time at all, her defenses softened. She moved to the dance floor but didn’t see Emma or Caleb anywhere. With a shrug of her shoulders, she let loose to the upbeat sound of the music playing. This place was relaxed when it came to dancing. It wasn’t anything like the fancy venues where she’d danced with Cameron fiveyears ago. Shane did everything he could to make this place feel safe. Everything from the refreshments offered to the music was carefully curated. The lighting even made people feel safe to let loose.
While his country club was nothing like the bars and clubs where the younger population enjoyed mingling, it definitely wasn’t your typical country club either. This place was a catchall that emulated the town of Copper Creek to a tee.
Sophia had only eaten once at the fancy restaurant that was part of this place. It was too highbrow for her liking. The ballroom was where it was at. Sophia could spend every weekend here just to get her social fix.
A woodsy, masculine scent enveloped her from behind, and she sensed she’d drawn a dance partner to her. A smile pulled at her lips, and she turned to find a cowboy with a smirk that matched her own. His moves were decent, but it was his charisma that intrigued her. He practically exuded confidence.
Cameron has something similar.
The flicker of a thought came out of left field, and Sophia’s smile faltered. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking about Cameron. He wasn’t at the country club, and he wasn’t going to get her attention anymore—bad or good. Once his contract was over, he’d move on and prove that she was right to keep him at arm’s length.
The music slowed, and before Sophia could slip away from her dance partner, he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. His right hand captured her left, and he led them both into a sultry sway.
