by Amanda Tru
“Oh!” Camden said, teasingly drawing his arm back. “I guess that makes it clear, doesn’t it!”
Bailey looked around for something to throw at him with her good arm. Realizing his imminent peril, Camden quickly hunkered down in his high-backed chair and tried not to chuckle too loudly while turning his attention back to his computer screen.
They both returned to working silently, but it took Camden about twenty minutes to get back into the zone with his focus in place and his surroundings fading into the background.
“Yes!” Bailey suddenly shrieked, jumping up and fist pumping the air with her good arm.
“What?” Camden asked, startled.
“I win!” she celebrated. “I win, I win, I win!”
“What are you talking about?” Camden asked, thinking she’d finally lost it.
She stopped her little dance just long enough to assure Camden, “I’ll still go on the date you planned, of course, but it doesn’t matter. I’m ahead of you, so the most you can do now is tie!”
Camden turned back to his computer. “Let me know when you actually want to tell me what’s going on and not just shout cryptically. Until then, I’m going to focus on work. Please keep the cheering down a bit.”
Bailey reached out and swung his swivel chair back around to face her.
“Remember when that woman contacted you to ask if you’d send her lists of dates for her brother?” she asked, her eyes dancing.
Camden nodded. “I remember. You and Mom tried to convince me to break policy and do it. She called it a family matter and was not at all happy when I refused, but there’s no surprise there.”
“I sent the lists.”
“What?” Camden asked, standing from his chair to look at her in exasperation.
“I sent a list of five names from each of us,” Bailey explained without a hint of regret. “It was too perfect of an opportunity for our contest. For you, I sent the first five names of the algorithm results. For my list, I compiled five personal matches without even looking at your algorithm results. Then I copied and pasted both lists and sent them to Selby. I always intended to tell you what I’d done. I just needed to wait until I had some results to report.”
“I can’t believe you did that, Bailey!” Camden didn’t even try to mask his anger. “You went behind my back and broke company policy, all in an effort to manipulate people into doing what Bailey thought best. Didn’t you learn anything from what happened two weeks ago?”
“I know I shouldn’t have done it.” Bailey faltered, breaking eye contact for the first time. “But that was before two weeks ago, and before I was saved, so it doesn’t count, right?”
Bailey looked up, a sheepish smile lifting one corner of her mouth.
Camden’s shocked expression ended in laughter as he realized she wasn’t serious.
“You little minx! What am I going to do with you?”
“Forgive me?” she suggested, batting her eyes in an innocent look that rivaled four-year-old Chloe in cuteness.
“I need a little more information first,” Camden adopted a hard line, looking at her disapprovingly in a mighty attempt at false bravado. “Are you sure we aren’t getting sued?”
“Not at all!” Bailey assured. Then, seriously, she added, “Just so you know, I would not make the same decision if presented it today. I will not go behind your back again, at least not intentionally.”
Camden’s expression softened, but before he could respond, Bailey excitedly spoke again.
“While the ends don’t justify the means, if there ever were an exception, this would qualify.” Lights danced in her brown eyes, and she seemed tempted to launch into an actual cheer. “Camden, he found a match! Can you believe it? The guy who’d never managed to land a second date now has an amazing girlfriend! His sister, Selby, has been keeping me updated on his progress. Honestly, every email she sent read like a comedy or a horror movie, or maybe a combination of both. I haven’t heard from her for a few weeks, though, and then just now, I got an email that says Heath has been happily dating the same woman for weeks now. Selby was so excited, she forgot to let me know earlier. Camden, she really thinks they’re meant to be together!”
“Let me guess, the woman he ended up with is one from your list,” Camden said wearily. “That would certainly account for the cheering and yelling about how you won the contest.”
“Yes, she is!” Bailey squealed excitedly. “I found the worst dater ever his forever match!”
“Show me,” Camden instructed, indicating her computer screen.
Happy to prove her accomplishment, Bailey brought up the email from Selby. “See, it says her name right there, and she was one I chose on my list. There’s your proof!”
“Wait a minute,” Camden murmured. “I recognize that name. Show me your original email to Selby.”
With a few clicks, Bailey brought up the email from a couple months ago. Camden took over the mouse and scrolled down.
“There,” he said, highlighting two words and throwing his hands up in triumph. “Do you see that name, Bailey? Tell me whose list that name is on.”
Confusion crowded Bailey’s face, and she scooted closer to the computer. “That doesn’t make sense,” Bailey murmured
“That’s my point! I’m the winner, not you!” Camden then launched into a rousing rendition of “We Are the Champions,” waving his arms to the rhythm in celebration.
“That’s your list. But how? I know she was on mine.” Bailey grabbed the mouse and scrolled back up. “Right there. She’s right there on my list.”
Camden positioned his head right behind her shoulder and looked at the name in clear black and white. “You mean, she’s on both of our lists? We both had her on our lists? That’s hilarious!”
Bailey scrolled up and down. “She’s the only one that is the same on both lists,” she sighed sadly.
Launching into a remix of his victory song, he pulled Bailey out of her chair and danced her around the room until she joined in the laughter.
“I guess we both win!” she finally relented.
Camden explained happily, “When Selby asked me for the lists, I remember looking over the names of the algorithm matches, trying to decide if there was any way I could help her but not break company policy. I finally decided it was a no-go, but when I saw that name, I recognized it.”
“I wish you hadn’t,” Bailey sighed dramatically.
“I know! I snatched that victory right out of your eager, little hand!”
“You just delayed it a little bit,” she retorted impishly. “We’re still tied. Tonight will be the finals with winner take all.”
Camden looked at her steadily, the humor draining from his expression. “Are we really going to do this?”
Bailey looked uncertain at his words, and truthfully, Camden didn’t know if he was referring to the contest or the dates tonight. Maybe both. Were they really following through with setting each other up on dates with other people in the effort to formally cut the other out of input in their business?
Camden swallowed and backed off, clarifying, “The winner gets control of the website to design as he or she pleases?”
“Of course, that’s what we agreed,” Bailey said easily, showing no clue that she may share misgivings.
An uneasy tension settled over them, and Camden said awkwardly, “Well, then I probably need to get some work done before then.”
“Yeah, me too,” Bailey replied, returning to her chair and sitting with her back to him once more.
A few minutes later, Camden was attempting to locate his focus yet again when his phone vibrated with a text message.
Elise: Have u told her yet???
Camden threw a glance behind to reassure himself that Bailey’s attention remained elsewhere and quickly texted a response.
Camden: Not yet. Working on it.
Elise: Come on, Camden. 2 weeks is long enough!
After Bailey was injured, Camden had spoken several times w
ith a very concerned Elise. With Sydney’s help, he’d managed to come up with a plausible cover story behind Bailey’s attempted kidnapping and injury. Somewhere along the way, however, Elise had figured out Camden’s feelings for Bailey. She then proceeded to encourage, or in this case outright hound, Camden to tell Bailey how he felt.
Camden winced, knowing that he wouldn’t do himself any favors by trying to explain to Elise about tonight and how he and Bailey intended to set each other up on dates. Instead, he kept it vague.
Camden: No worries. I have a plan.
Elise: LOL. Famous last words.
He certainly hoped not. He’d spent the last week praying, asking God to show him if he needed to leave Bailey alone. He still couldn’t stand the idea that being with him might put her in more danger. However, instead of his feelings fading with the adrenaline, he only became more certain that she was the one for him.
Lord, please help me not to screw this up. I have no idea how Bailey feels, and yet, I’m risking everything. If I say anything and she doesn’t have feelings for me, our friendship will be ruined, and maybe even our business. But I can’t go on like this. If anything, that awful night showed me that life is short. I don’t want to waste any of it without her. Please help me not to make a mistake! Amen!
Taking a deep breath, Camden opened his eyes and looked at the clock.
In so many ways, tonight determined whether he won or lost. Strangely, he didn’t care whether or not he won the contest. His hopes were instead pinned on winning something far more valuable.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?” Camden said, nodding up at the clock before he took another bite of cookie. “Your date is at five o’clock, you know.”
“Five!” Bailey choked around a mouth full of cookie. It took more chewing and a full glass of water before she could sputter intelligently again. “I thought it was at six o’clock! Yours is at six.”
“Yours isn’t,” Camden said with infuriating calm. “Didn’t I tell you? You’re supposed to meet your date at five.”
Bailey looked at him in open-mouthed exasperation, but there was nothing she could do. She’d agreed to go on the date, and she couldn’t back out now, even if Camden switched the time at the last minute.
“Fine, but you aren’t getting your location until I leave with mine!” she said as if that even mattered.
“That’ll work,” Camden said mildly, choosing another one of his mother’s warm chocolate chip cookies to sample.
Bailey marched upstairs and didn’t realize until she stood in front of the mirror that the change in schedule might actually be a very good thing. She hadn’t yet figured out how to be at both her date and Camden’s date at the same time, but if the times were staggered, that meant that she could wiggle out of her own date with enough time to be able to spy on Camden as he arrived at his.
Bailey’s phone beeped with a text. Putting her eye shadow down, she picked it up and read.
Elise: Have u told him yet?
Bailey: Told who what?
Elise: If u want me to spell out the whole mushy truth, I will. Have u told Camden that u r crazy in luv with him and asked him to check the box if he likes u back?
Bailey smiled. Elise was rarely so direct, but she had been relentless since she’d figured out that Bailey had feelings for Camden. It hadn’t taken her long either. The day after she was injured, Elise had called to see how Bailey was feeling. Within the first five minutes, her friend had deduced from Bailey’s emotional state that she was in love with Camden. Bailey hadn’t bothered to deny it, which then sent the expert matchmaker on a mission to see her two friends together.
Bailey insisted that she handle it without Elise’s help, and Elise reluctantly agreed. Now, however, Elise’s patience was obviously wearing as thin as wet paper.
Bailey: I will tell him. I have a plan.
Elise: Everyone says that. I need date and time details.
Bailey: Tonight. I will talk to him tonight.
Elise: U better. otherwise cupid might need to make a surprise visit.
As much as Bailey would love for Elise to come to Crossroads, she didn’t want her to do anything to influence Camden. She wanted Camden on her own terms. She wanted to know that he shared feelings for her not because of some romantic or even dangerous situation. Camden definitely knew her at her worst, and if he could still manage to care for her, then Bailey knew it would be genuine.
Bailey: Will update tonight.
Just seeing it there on the screen sent her heart into palpitations. Even though she hadn’t figured out all the details, tonight she would know if Camden loved her.
Bailey finished her hair and checked how she looked in a full-length mirror. Camden hadn’t shared anything about the actual date, so she didn’t know how to dress. She’d finally opted for a dusky blue dress with a pair of black leggings and a cardigan. It didn’t look like church attire, but it also wasn’t revealing in any way. Gray slouchy boots and some swingy earrings completed the look.
Glancing at the time, she knew she needed to hurry, or she’d be late. She rushed down the stairs, finding Camden waiting at the door.
“You look nice,” he said, though his eyes declared he’d just made an understatement.
“Thanks,” Bailey replied briskly. “Where am I going?”
“I just sent you a location on a map to your phone,” he said, holding up his own phone as evidence.
Bailey looked at the incoming text. “Isn’t that the ponds south of town? Here in Crossroads?”
Camden nodded, “Yes, your date is in Crossroads. You are to meet him at the gate to the walking trail. Don’t worry. With the nice weather, plenty of people are enjoying the trail. Besides, Sydney approved of your date when I checked with her.”
“Your date is also in Crossroads,” Bailey supplied, opening the door to leave. “You’re to meet her at La Bonita Sombrero at six o’clock.”
“Will do,” Camden said easily.
“I guess we’ll touch base with each other later this evening,” Bailey said, her confidence wavering.
Camden nodded. “Let’s plan on it.”
Bailey walked down the sidewalk to where Lydia waited in her car. With her arm in a sling, Bailey didn’t feel up to driving one handed. Camden had offered to take her to her date before his, but that just felt too awkward. Lydia had readily agreed to be her taxi, saying that she planned to do some shopping anyway and would stick around until Bailey let her know if she needed a ride home.
Bailey couldn’t seem to shake off the melancholy of walking away from Camden. Though she had agreed to date someone of Camden’s choosing, it all felt so wrong, especially since the one she wanted to choose was Camden himself!
Just get through the next hour, then you can talk to Camden, she told herself. But instead of encouraging herself, she only seemed to make things worse.
Why, oh why, didn’t I tell Camden how I feel before he set me up with another man?
Thankfully, Lydia didn’t seem to notice Bailey’s mood or her silence and kept a constant monologue that covered topics like her brother, Wayne, church activities, and her excitement over the upcoming weddings in the family.
By the time Lydia pulled into the parking area, Bailey had a speech prepared. As soon as she met this man, she’d launch into telling him that she really wasn’t interested and that her heart belonged elsewhere. She hadn’t decided if she should attempt to end on a happy note of friendship or just abandon the guy and take off right then and there to find Camden.
Is that fair to Camden? She asked herself. She’d promised to give his date a fair try for the sake of the contest.
I don’t care about the contest! she argued with herself impatiently. If skipping out on this date gets me that much closer to Camden, I’ll let him win!
Lydia dropped her off with the admonition to call her if she needed her. Telling herself that Lydia probably wouldn’t make it to the store before Bailey called to ask for her retrieval, Bailey wave
d goodbye and headed toward the gate at the entrance to the walking trail. With each step, she rehearsed her speech.
Should I introduce myself first or just get the speech over with? She wondered as she arrived at the gate.
She waited impatiently, turning back around and scanning the parking area for her date. Though evening, warmth from the day still clung to the earth with the lengthening days. It really would be a nice evening for a walk. Spring was pouncing quickly with many of the trees boasting their early gossamer skirts of green buds. A few more weeks and the blossoms of spring would be in full bloom, clothing those debutante trees in full-flowered ball gowns.
Bailey waited for several minutes, eventually resorting to tapping the toe of her boot against the black concrete of the trail.
He isn’t going to show! Bailey thought irritably. This date Camden set me up with is standing me up!
Eventually, even the caress of a breeze through the trees couldn’t calm her, and her toe became more insistent in its dull patter of impatience.
Then, she heard something. Thinking that the sound came from a few feet off the trail, Bailey scanned the area, expecting to see a little chipmunk or ground squirrel seeking some food after hiding out through the winter. Strangely, she didn’t see any animal, but something bright red lay amongst the rocks. Walking the short distance, Bailey reached down and picked up the red scrap. Only it wasn’t a scrap. It was a small origami paper heart.
Rocks crunched under footsteps, and Bailey turned to see someone step out from the trees to the side of where she stood.
“Bailey,” Camden called, his voice sounding hoarse.
Bailey blinked, thinking she must be seeing things. But the man in front of her was definitely Camden—rugged good-looks, dreamy blue eyes, and a pair of cargo shorts sticking out the bottom of his jacket. Why was he here? Did something happen to her date?
Camden came forward, a nervous smile on his face as he handed Bailey a red origami heart matching the one in her hand. “Hi, I’m Camden Hutchins. I’m your date this evening. Sorry I’m a little late. I have a slight problem being on time, so it’s best if you know that up-front.”