by Aurora Rey
Lauren braved a glance at Cam. She looked relaxed and maybe amused. Nothing indicated she had any clue where Lauren’s mind had gone. Phew. “The real party will be with all of you once all the work is done. This is like pitching to a client—a massive amount of work that you hope will impress, but you really have no idea how it will be received until it’s done.”
Lauren shrugged and Cam nodded, surprised by how much Lauren’s assessment of the situation resonated. She’d have imagined Lauren to be all about the big show, being the center of attention. Which maybe she did some, but she also acknowledged it as work. Just one more little surprise along the way. “I know what you mean.”
Lauren took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders a few times. “I’m not panicking. It’s all going to be fine.”
The mini pep talk was downright adorable. But before she could say as much, Sophie came strolling toward them. Cam offered her a nod of greeting. “Decide to come after all?”
“The pull of lunch is strong.”
“Would you like to join us?” Jane asked Lauren.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the prospect of sharing a meal with her sisters and Lauren would have filled Cam with, if not dread, apprehension. Now? It sounded quite nice, actually. “You should. I’d wager money you haven’t eaten.”
“I’ll have you know I ate a full breakfast this morning.” Lauren grinned. “Mrs. Lucas made me.”
Cam chuckled. “It doesn’t preclude you from lunch.”
“No, but my to-do list does. My best friend arrives today and I need to be ready for her.”
“The photographer.” Cam resisted the urge to cringe.
“Yes, the photographer. Stop acting like it’s going to be torture.”
“Cam is going to be photographed?” Sophie didn’t even try to hide her amusement.
Lauren nodded enthusiastically. “She doesn’t want to be the official face of the campaign, but I’ve convinced her that a few shots of her with the still and in the tasting room would enhance the editorial spreads we’re doing.”
Sophie’s gaze went from Cam to Lauren and back to Cam. “You have to let me watch.”
Cam shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
Sophie turned an imploring look to Lauren. “Please.”
“I’m getting the feeling your intent is to make Cam squirm. Since I need her to be relaxed, I’m going to have to side with her.” Lauren’s tone was equal parts apologetic and playful. She might not have siblings, but she was getting the hang of how they worked.
“Thank you.” Cam shot Sophie the same look she used when one of their parents took her side. Some habits, it seemed, died hard.
Sophie huffed, but with no malice. “Fine. I’ll laugh at you from afar.”
Cam rolled her eyes. “You always do.”
Lauren cleared her throat. “As much fun as this is, I need to get back to work. Enjoy your lunch and the new seating.”
“It really does look nice,” Jane said.
“Thank you.” Lauren waved a hand in the direction of the tables. “And you all sitting here will be like free advertising.”
Sophie made a point of sitting on one of the benches and posing. “Happy to help.”
Lauren went back inside, leaving Cam on the sidewalk with her sisters. “Shall we go order?”
“Shall we first talk about how you’re all loved up?” Sophie stared pointedly after Lauren.
Cam shook her head. “No. We shall not.”
Sophie gave her a most exasperated look. “Come on. I’ve barely given you a hard time and you were practically drooling over her.”
Jane pinched her arm. “Don’t be mean, Sophie.”
“Yes, Sophie. Don’t be mean.” She didn’t really mind Sophie’s teasing, but if she didn’t push back, Sophie would be completely out of control.
Sophie scowled dramatically. “I’m not mean. I’m telling the truth. A truth Jane was in perfect agreement with a bit ago.”
Cam turned to Jane. “Et tu?”
Jane shrugged, looking sheepish and innocent in that way she always could. “I only agreed that you seemed happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
It was hard to argue that point. Feelings for Lauren aside, she was happy. Even with all the battles over the pub, she felt good about the outcome. And she had a renewed energy about Carriage House, fueled by Lauren’s enthusiasm and a real optimism about the new marketing strategy.
“See.” Sophie pointed at her. “You’re not even denying it.”
“Happiness is a lot more than being head over heels for someone.” Not that she was ready to use that phrase about Lauren anyway.
Jane gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Exactly. You have plenty to be happy about.”
Although Jane didn’t have a patronizing bone in her body, Cam cringed at the gesture. If Jane felt compelled to reassure her, it meant she saw something, too. Which meant Lauren might very well be picking up on it, whatever it was. She lowered her voice so that only her sisters could hear. “I like Lauren. Things with us are good. But let’s not turn it into more than it is.”
Sophie nodded slowly. “You’re not sure if she loves you back.”
As much as Sophie could be a thorn in her side, she was insightful. It made her a great ally and also a giant pain. “We like each other fine, but no one is using the L word or talking about the future.”
Jane offered a sympathetic look. “It’s okay. You don’t owe us any explanation. Unless you want to talk about it, of course. Then we’re happy to listen. Right, Sophie?”
Sophie sighed but nodded. “Right. We want you to be happy and stuff.”
Cam chuckled at the reluctant affection. When push came to shove, she’d lucked out in the family department. It was something she tried not to take for granted, especially when she thought about people like Lauren, who didn’t seem close to her family at all.
She shook off the doldrums that threatened to creep in at the thought of Lauren being estranged from her family. Lauren didn’t seem too bothered by it or, at least, like she managed it just fine. She had—what did she call it?—her family of choice. And from what she’d gathered, Anja sat pretty close to the top of that list.
It made Cam all the more interested in meeting her. First, to see the kind of person Lauren chose to associate with. But perhaps even more importantly, to see Lauren in that dynamic. She’d meant what she said to Sophie and Jane. She wasn’t in love with Lauren, but it had started to feel like more than a passing thing. That meant she wanted to get to know her on a deeper level. And in her book, meeting the family was one of the best ways to do it.
Chapter Twenty
Anja turned in a slow circle. “Damn, girl.”
Lauren smiled, more pleased with the declaration than any elaborate compliment. “Thanks.”
“It looks like a movie. For real.”
She thought back to the day she arrived, exhausted and overwhelmed. She’d envisioned a complete makeover, had fought Cam tooth and nail on some of the original details that felt just a little too tired, a little too tacky for even a quirky design. They’d compromised on so many things. A wave of giddiness bubbled up in her chest.
“You’re not even thinking about the inn right now, are you?”
“What? Of course I am. The grand opening is in two weeks. What else would I be thinking about?”
“A certain distiller you’ve promised to introduce me to.”
Lauren smiled in spite of herself. “You’ll meet her soon enough.”
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
They’d not used that word, at least not out loud. But she’d thought it a few times. It still felt too soon. She’d not added it up, but it seemed like Cam had disliked her for longer than she hadn’t. Even though they couldn’t seem to get enough of each other now. Even though the sex was, without a doubt, the best she’d ever had. Even though the prospect of selling the inn and going back to New York held less and less appeal with each passing day.
“You don’t have to say anything. Your face tells me all I need to know.”
Lauren lifted a hand. “I’m not sure about capital L love, but it’s more than I bargained for. That much I’ll give you.”
Anja laughed—not a titter or a chuckle, but long and loud, the kind of laugh that told Lauren she had her number. “I can’t wait to meet the woman who’s put you in this state of more than you bargained for.”
“How about I show you to your room first? I’m sure you’d like to settle in.”
Anja nodded affably. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Lauren hefted one of Anja’s bags and led her through to the inn. Upstairs, she opened the door to the room she’d reserved for Anja. Not the biggest room, but her favorite. It held the most personal touches—bits of her and bits of Cam.
“Okay, this is even better than I imagined.” Anja dropped her bag and turned another slow circle. “How much of this is you?”
“New paint, new art, new linens.” She smiled at the portrait of the hare in a blazer, then pointed to the table turned writing desk. “Oh, and that. Cam helped me refinish it.”
Anja crossed the room and trailed her fingers over its glossy surface. “You did this?”
Lauren shrugged. “With help. Cam is handy.”
“Handy, a craft gin maker, and amazing in the sack. Why aren’t you marrying her, again?”
“It’s not that simple.” Lauren closed her eyes and let out a sigh. When she opened them, she found Anja looking at her expectantly. “She really didn’t like me at first.”
“She didn’t think she liked you. The second she gave you a chance, she was a goner.” Anja tipped her head from side to side. “Which is not surprising, by the way.”
How could she explain? Even after coming to a detente, even after hopping into bed together, she couldn’t help but think Cam was holding part of herself back. “She’s come around, for sure. But I don’t think she thinks of me as marriage material.”
“What is that supposed to mean? I’d marry you in a second.”
Lauren fisted her hands on her hips, but smiled. “Are you proposing?”
“No, but only because you’d want me to settle down.”
Lauren laughed. “I know better than to think you’d be so inclined.”
“If I were to settle down, and if I didn’t already know I’d drive you crazy, you’d be at the top of my list.” Anja crossed the room and gave Lauren a noisy kiss on the cheek.
“I love you, too.” Lauren glanced at her watch. “It’s early still. Do you want to take a nap?”
Anja shook her head. “Just a shower. And then I want the full tour and to meet all your people.”
“Charlotte will be here any minute. Cam will stop by at some point. She wants to meet you, too. Why don’t you meet me back downstairs when you’re ready?”
“Can there be food in my future?”
Lauren smiled. Anja was always hungry. “Of course. Do you need a snack to tide you over?”
Anja seemed to consider, then sighed dramatically. “No. I ate a sandwich on the ride.”
She shook her head. “All right. Lunch service will be starting in about an hour. You can have your pick.”
“Excellent. I can’t wait to try your new menu.”
Mention of the menu made her think, once again, of Cam. “You will be well fed, I promise.”
“You know just what to say to a girl.” Anja hefted one bag onto the bed and unzipped it.
“Towels and such are in the bathroom. And I’d love your thoughts on the new line of toiletries I picked.”
“Ooh.” Anja’s eyes lit up. “I bet they’re amazing.”
Lauren backed toward the door. “Take your time and message me if you need something. Or, even better, call the front desk. We could use the practice.”
“Do you want me to pretend I forgot my toothbrush?”
Lauren chuckled. She’d stocked a cabinet of emergency supplies for just such a thing. “No. But really, if you need anything, just holler.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Enjoy your shower. Or bath.”
“There’s a tub?”
She forgot how many hotels, even on the high end, had done away with tubs. “Claw foot. Original.”
“Sweet lesbian goddess. I may be a while. Don’t wait up.”
“It’s ten thirty in the morning.”
Anja quirked a brow. “And your point is?”
Lauren laughed again. God, she’d missed her. “Like I said, take your time.”
She left Anja to her own devices and headed downstairs. She’d check on Mrs. Lucas, then head back to the pub to do some ordering with Charlotte. Because as much as Anja joked, Lauren figured it would be at least an hour until she emerged, and Lauren didn’t have an hour to waste.
* * *
An hour and a half later, Lauren sat at the bar, oddly nervous. It made no sense for her to be nervous. It’s not like Anja was her father, impossible to please and even harder to impress, or her mother, kind but still at a loss over what to do with a daughter who was ambitious and attracted to women. This was a friendly blending of her worlds—her favorites from each coming together in celebration. She had nothing to prove to any of them.
“You okay?” Charlotte studied her from across the bar, a look of concern on her face.
“Absolutely.” Lauren smiled and hoped it didn’t look forced.
“I’m excited to meet Anja. It feels like getting a little glimpse into New York Lauren.”
She’d not meant anything by it, but the phrasing struck a nerve. That’s what had her anxious. Not that Anja wouldn’t like Charlotte and Cam, or vice versa. She was afraid of starting a chain reaction, one where her old self took over and steamrolled everything her new self had built and, in the process, sent Cam running for the hills. She shook her head. That wouldn’t happen, for more reasons than she could count. At the top of the list was the fact that Anja was about as easygoing and un-New York as it got. Well, maybe not un-New York. More Greenwich Village than Madison Avenue.
“I can’t believe those tubs are original. Absolute gold mine.” In usual fashion, Anja didn’t bother with a hello. She bounded up to the bar and pulled Lauren into a hug. Like they’d not hugged four times already since her arrival. “I want to stay forever.”
Lauren smiled and gestured toward the bar. “Charlotte, this is my friend Anja. Anja, this is my right-hand woman, Charlotte.”
Charlotte extended her hand, but Anja was already running around the back of the bar. “I’m so excited to meet you. Lauren has been raving about you since the day she got here.”
Charlotte seemed taken aback by the display of affection, but not bothered. In fact, she returned the hug with enthusiasm. Was that a hint of attraction? Impossible to know for sure, but Lauren had known Anja long enough to sense when she was into someone. This definitely felt like one of those times.
Anja stepped back but didn’t immediately retreat from behind the bar. She surveyed the setup and nodded. “Nice bar.”
Charlotte smiled. Or was it a flirtatious smirk? “Lauren let me make some improvements.”
“She’s cool like that. You’ll let me take pictures, right, of you back here?”
Charlotte glanced at Lauren, then Anja, and raised a brow. “Me?”
“Featuring staff in the photography makes a place feel more cozy,” Anja said, and Lauren nodded her agreement. Then she added, “The fact that you’re gorgeous is a total bonus.”
Lauren feared for a second that it was too much, that Anja’s big, flirtatious personality might overwhelm Charlotte’s more staid British sensibilities. But as she watched Charlotte give Anja a slow smile, it became clear she worried for naught.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Lauren knew it was Cam before she even turned around. As it seemed to do these days, her heart rate ticked up a few notches. She turned around slowly, letting her eyes rake over Cam and letting her brain relive a few moments
of the night before. The sex had been fueled by the knowledge they’d probably not have a moment alone until after the opening, which was well over a week away.
But neither that knowledge nor just how sated she’d felt only hours before had any effect on her libido at the moment. No, all she wanted to do was push Cam up against the wall and undo her pants and—
“Lauren?”
How long had she been staring? Lauren looked around. Long enough for both Charlotte and Anja to be watching her with amusement. And Cam. Cam looked amused, too, but also aroused. It helped to know she wasn’t alone on that front. “What?”
“You need to make introductions,” Anja said, even though it was apparent she already knew exactly who’d come in.
Before Lauren could stitch together a sentence, Cam stepped forward. “You must be Anja. Lauren’s been talking about you nonstop.”
Anja took Cam’s extended hand. “And you must be Cam.” She offered Cam a wink. “Same.”
She would have expected the attention to make Cam uncomfortable, but it didn’t seem to. Cam offered Anja a warm smile and asked about her trip, where she’d been before. So different from their first meeting, when Cam had been cool and aloof. They’d certainly come a long way. “Why do I get the feeling you two will be dishing about me before the day is through?”
“It’s best friend, girlfriend prerogative,” Anja said without hesitation.
Lauren glanced at Cam, but again, not even a trace of discomfort. A long way indeed.
“Speaking of, don’t you have that interview to do?” Anja asked.
She did. The writer from Traveler was due to call within the hour. She should go prep for it. Even if the idea of leaving Cam, Anja, and Charlotte alone left her a hair uneasy. “Do any of you need anything from me before I go hole up?”
Anja shook her head blandly. Cam looked amused. Charlotte called over from the bar. “Will you go already so we can talk about you?”
Lauren chuckled. At least they were honest. “You know where to find me.”
She escaped to her office and spent a bit of time sorting out the talking points she wanted to work in and a list of photos she already had in mind to send along to accompany the story. When Alejandro called promptly at one, she was in full PR mode.