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

through the same three apps on my phone,” she said, and she riffled through the games, choosing Scrabble—because she knew it was Camila’s favorite—and Monopoly—because that would definitely pass some time.

“There’s no Catan,” Emily said when Camila returned with steaming mugs of cocoa and set them down on the coffee table, “but I made do.”

“I added a ridiculous amount of cream to yours.” Camila said. “It is not fair, you looking like that with the number of calories you consume on a daily basis.”

“I have a high metabolism,” Emily replied with a shrug, “and I work them off.”

“You certainly do.” Camila said it so quietly that Emily didn’t think she was supposed to hear. Camila glanced at her biceps, so she flexed them a little when she set up the Scrabble board. It wasn’t often that Camila looked at her like that anymore.

As usual, even at two in the morning, they both played to win, and when Camila lost, she stared down at the board like she couldn’t believe it.

Emily couldn’t help gloating a little, suggesting that Camila might be losing her touch. But she paid for it the next game.

“Monopoly?” Camila suggested, after the second game, and Emily nodded, setting up the board. “Do you have any weird rules?”

“Nope.” Emily said, and they moved onto the floor to play.

After about an hour, the two women started to flag. Emily was struggling to keep her eyes open, and Camila was stretched out on her side, resting her head on her arm.

“You wanna call it a night?” Emily asked, and was relieved when Camila nodded.

“What time do you have to be up?” Emily asked after they had packed up the game.

“In about”—Camila glanced at the nearby clock—“two hours,” she said, wincing. “I should probably try and get at least a little more sleep.”

Camila returned their mugs to the kitchen while Emily dragged herself back to the second bedroom, but she paused in the doorway because Jaime had managed to stretch his little body across the entire bed and she didn’t think she could slip back under the covers without disturbing him. Instead, she grabbed a blanket from the closet and returned to the couch.

“What are you doing?” Camila was back from the kitchen and frowned when she saw Emily flop down on the couch.

“Your kid is starfishing, and I don’t wanna wake him, so I’ll just sleep here.”

“You shouldn’t have to do that.”

“It’s fine.” Emily shrugged. “Besides, this couch is more comfortable than my bed at home.” She could rest her head flat and stretch out without her feet touching the opposite arm.

“I…” Camila looked down at her, and for a split second, Emily thought she was going to invite her to sleep with her. But then Camila seemed to think better of it.

“If you’re sure.”

Emily was already falling asleep, and she mumbled “Good night Camila.” Camila flicked off the lights, leaving Emily in darkness.

Tonight had been good—great, even. It had felt like before the kiss, without any awkwardness, and Emily wondered if things might be different here, if London would be a kind of bubble where they could pretend that night had never happened.

She felt better than she had in a long time, and she fell asleep with a smile on her mouth and Camila on her mind.

Chapter 18

Camila cursed when her alarm went off. What had she been thinking, staying up so late last night just to spend more time with Emily?

It had been like old times. She dropped her defenses when she walked out of her room and found Emily on the couch wearing fluffy pajamas with llamas on them. She should have looked ridiculous but instead looked adorable.

It would have been better if she had just turned around and gone back to bed, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep, and she’d wanted company.

She regretted it now, though, as she rubbed her hands across her face. It was still dark outside.

She dragged herself out of bed and into the shower.

Emily was still asleep in the living room, and Camila tiptoed into the kitchen. She was sipping coffee and scanning her tablet for emails at the dining table when she heard an almost inaudible “What time is it?” She glanced over to see a sleep-rumpled Emily peering at her over the back of the couch.

“Seven thirty.”

“Ugh.”

Emily fell back dramatically onto the couch. Camila walked over and looked down at her, a hand on her hip. She had just woken up but still looked gorgeous with the early morning light settling on her face and lighting up her features.

“Go to my room, sleep a little longer.”

“No, I’m good.”

Camila prodded her until she looked up at her again. “Go on. I’ll send Jaime in to wake you up before I leave.”

Emily didn’t argue this time, and she made her way to Camila’s room without falling down, Camila watching her every step.

Camila made some toast and finished her coffee. At eight sharp, there was a knock on the door. It was Jessica, as punctual as ever. She looked more put together than Camila felt, so at least one of them would be operating at full capacity.

She had about thirty minutes before they had to leave, just enough time for her to get Jaime up and dressed and his teeth brushed before she sent him in to wake up Emily.

* * *

Emily woke up to a five-year-old climbing on her chest.

It took her a minute to remember where she was. The room was dark and the sheets smelled of Camila. Jaime peered down at her, far too awake, in her opinion, as he tugged at the collar of her pajamas.

“Emily! Wake up! It’s time for dinosaurs!”

“Manners, young man.” Camila admonished him from the foot of the bed. She looked much better than Emily felt, considering she had had even less sleep than Emily.

“It’s time for dinosaurs, please.”

Emily shifted Jaime so that he was beside her instead of on top of her.

“All right, buddy, give me a minute to wake up, and