Never Say Never by Rachael Sommers (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

“What are you doing?”

“Making sure you look after yourself.”

“I wasn’t aware that was in your job description.” Camila folded her arms across her chest. “You’re supposed to look after my son, not me.”

“Part of looking after Jaime is making sure his mom is all right.”

Camila tilted her head, considering.

“You don’t have to eat with me, just…take a break, okay? You work too hard.”

“Very well.” Camila pushed herself up from her chair. “Let’s go.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm, before I change my mind.”

Emily pressed her lips between her teeth to hide her smile, then followed Camila out.

“Jessica, I’m leaving for a bit. Finish whatever you’re working on and go home. I’ve just been informed that because it’s Friday, we can’t stay here all night.”

Chapter 13

Camila watched Emily over the rim of her water glass.

They were in a booth at a restaurant down the street from the CEBC building, and Camila was just as surprised as the hostess that she was there.

Emily was just…well, persuasive, for a start, and nice to look at, and pretty great company tonight when she had been dreading the thought of returning to an empty apartment.

It was certainly better than spending the night in front of a computer.

She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t put her finger on it, couldn’t figure Emily out, because what she’d done—bringing Jaime to her and then making sure she ate—was probably the kindest, most considerate thing anyone had done for her in a very long time.

And she’d done it because that was who she was: selfless and caring and wonderful.

“Do I, um, have something on my face?” Emily squirmed under Camila’s gaze, self-conscious and absolutely adorable.

“No.” Camila tore her eyes away and cleared her throat. “Just lost in thought. Trying to figure out a problem.”

“Oh yeah? Anything I can help with?”

Probably, Camila thought, given that the problem is you and what to do with the way you make me feel.

But she couldn’t say that, so she shook her head and changed the subject.

“While we’re here”—her gaze settled on Emily again—“I’d like to check in with you. You’ve been Jaime’s nanny for a couple of months now. Is everything still okay? Anything you’d like to bring up?”

“I didn’t mean for this to be an employee review,” Emily said, but she was smiling. “But no, no issues. And everything’s great. If anything, I fall more and more in love with this job every day.”

“The hours don’t bother you?”

“I knew what I was signing up for,” Emily pointed out. “You warned me, and it’s been fine.”

“Good, good. And Jaime still sings your praises, so I know he’s happy. How are the college applications going? You’ll warn me if I need to start searching for someone else?”

She tried not to dwell on the thought of Emily no longer being in her life and the effect that would have on both her and Jaime, but it was always in the back of her mind that this wouldn’t last forever and her bubble would pop sooner rather than later.

“Of course.” Emily looked offended. “I’ve sent off a couple, but the deadline for most colleges is a ways off yet.”

“Where are you applying?”

“NYU has a pretty good master’s program,” Emily answered, “so you don’t need to start looking for a replacement anytime soon.”

“Glad to hear it.” That was an understatement. “And Jaime will be too. He’s rather fond of you.”

“The feeling is definitely mutual.” Emily smiled, and Camila’s heart filled with warmth at how completely the other woman cared for her son.

After their food arrived, Camila picked at her pasta and Emily inhaled her pizza.

“Hungry?” Camila asked as Emily stuffed the last crust into her mouth and settled back in her seat.

“Always.”

When the bill arrived, Emily tried to pay because Camila wouldn’t be there if not for her, and after a brief argument, Camila agreed to split it.

She agreed because she knew Emily wouldn’t back down, not because of those eyes that seemed to peer into her soul.

They made their way outside the restaurant, Camila ready to go back to work.

“Anything planned for the rest of the night?”

“I didn’t until my sister messaged. She wants to know if I want to go see some band play in a dive bar downtown.”

“God, I haven’t done that in years.” She had when she was younger, of course; she had spent most of her later teenage years and early twenties going to hear local bands.

“Really? I can’t picture you in a place like that.”

“Because you can only picture me as I am now,” Camila pointed out.

“Well, you can join us, if you want. It’d be nice not to be a third wheel.”

She knew she should say no.

The line between employer and employee was already blurred, had almost crossed into being friends, and it would be a terrible idea to spend the rest of the evening with Emily.

She should say no, but Emily looked at her with her head tilted to one side, and when she opened her mouth to say no…

She said yes instead.

* * *

Emily hadn’t expected Camila to agree, but half an hour after Cassie’s text, she was slipping through a side door and into a packed bar with Camila by her side. Emily wanted to pinch herself.

Camila was still in her work clothes, but somehow she fit right in as they weaved their way through the crowd toward the bar.

“Is your sister already here?” Camila leaned in to be heard over the din of people talking and the sound check. Emily shivered at the warm breath against her ear and the feel of her body pressed up close.

“I think so.” She scanned the room and found Cassie waving at her from the other side. She and Maia had managed to claim a table by the wall. “They’re over there.”

“Drink?”

“I’ll get them.” She ordered a scotch for Camila and a beer for herself, then followed Camila as she cleared a path over to Cassie and Maia.

“Camila.” Cassie greeted them when they reached the table and