My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 156 Wasted Efforts

Evelyn

"You didn't tell me you had a party going on here on the beachside-I thought it'd just be a walk by the beach," I chuckled, swaying with the music as it thumped around us, the star-filled sky above, the wind tousling my hair while Cameron gently tucked a few loose strands behind my ear.

"I was afraid that scary-looking friend of your dad wouldn't let you come if he got even a hint," he laughed, sliding his hand around my waist and pulling me closer. Suddenly, I grew aware of our proximity, my senses heightening. "So, I kept it a secret." He kissed my cheek, and though my body froze, I didn't pull away. I didn't want to.

I needed this distraction. Wasn't this what I wanted? A connection that progressed smoothly, nothing too fast or frantic, just smooth sailing? But that came with its own downsides-no butterflies, no flutters of your heart, and no sparks.

"Well," I slipped my hands around his neck, our bodies swaying with the music, in perfect rhythm. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Mason a sucking the lips off of a guy, and Nancy doing body shots with a blonde-she wasn't gay, but she'd fuck literally anyone.

"You're already so scared, huh?" I teased. "What are you going to do if someone else snatches me right in front of you? Will you still keep it a secret and have a secret affair with me then?"

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he leaned closer to my ear, his breath caressing the side of my neck without evoking the visceral response that even a single glance from that cursed Italian bastard would. "I'd steal you," Cameron whispered.

I'd kill him and snatch you back-Jacob would have said.

Fuck, Evelyn-don't think about him.

"That's not very brave, is it?" I tried to keep my thoughts from drifting back to him.

"You don't need bravery to win, beautiful," Cameron chuckled, turning me around so that my back pressed against his front, his chin resting on my shoulder. "You just need to be smart. And I think I'm smart enough to snatch you from anyone in this world-though I'd appreciate it if Jacob doesn't stay on the enemy's side," he joked.

Well... he is the enemy here.

"Cute," I laughed awkwardly before I pulled away from him. "But I need a drink to find your joke funny," I said, heading over to the bar, with him following me.

"Hey, it was a good one," he protested while I placed an order. A few seconds passed by.

at all, Cameron," I sighed as I grabbed the drink from the bartender and downed it in one go. "You need to work on your jokes. Especially if you're trying to make them funny when they involve that Italian I absolutely fucking hate." Another

for a third shot, Cameron took it from my hand. "Slow down, baby," he chuckled. "If I drop you off at your house, drunk out of your wits, do you

against my family and every fucking moral," I pulled him by his collar, feeling him freeze for

eyebrow. "So do I get to know who had the fortune to

seen him up close," I chuckled as I downed the third shot. I was already spewing nonsense; it seemed like the last two shots had made their way into my system

quipped, a laugh tearing

know you'd

the edge of the stool I was sitting on and dragged it closer. My breathing hitched for a second, but then I found myself trapped under his gaze. "Or else someone else

been the choice from the very first time. He was well-spoken, soft, careful, and always putting in effort-an ideal choice for any girl. But that was the thing-guys my age never interested me, nor

looked at Cameron, I didn't feel the sparks, the deep urge to run my fingers through his hair or caress his skin. I didn't burn with the desire to pull him in for a kiss and

hand rose to cup my face, his thumb brushing

he makes me feel nothing. At least, I was far away from the pain of heartbreak-Cameron would

small smile. "It's just that—" Before I could finish my sentence, he suddenly leaned in and pressed his lips on mine, causing me to freeze on the spot. His fingers tangled into my hair as he pulled me close diving in. For the briefest of moments, in the intoxication of the alcohol and memories of Jacob, I began to imagine the touch of Cameron as Jacob. As Cameron's lips brushed against mine,

kissed me, slowly and softly. But my imaginations began to fade, and reality

It was not Jacob.

who had his lips on mine, and suddenly the realization reduced all the warmth to ashes. I didn't feel anything anymore. I didn't find the urge to kiss him anymore. My hands, raised halfway to tangle themselves into his hair, dropped to my sides as I abruptly pulled away from the kiss. My

This felt wrong....

and soul had

what's wrong?" Cameron seemed to notice my

I'm sorry." breathed out, getting on my feet. am really sorry, I just-"I couldn't put my words together. I was a mess, and for once I knew, it was not the I alcohol-it was me. My thoughts. My

hand. "It's okay. Maybe I just

was betraying two people at once. Hurting one and having chances

it's not your fault. It's me," I

"There's no need to talk about you, and next time, you initiate it whenever you feel it's right. No more talking about

let out, leaning in and pressing a cheek on his cheek. "I really mean it, thank you." I caressed his cheek. He was really a good guy. The best one. Maybe if

question after a while. "I am just really tired