Cameron Wants to Be a Hero (Love Austen 2)

His phone buzzed and he wedged it free from his pocket. Not Henry.

Isabella: I’m sorry about what happened this weekend.

* * *

Isabella: I hope that you found somewhere to stay.

* * *

Isabella: You’re always welcome to crash with us.

* * *

Isabella: I finished Pride and Prejudice. It was wonderful, like you said. I know we’re not supposed to, but I quite liked Lydia. Not her fault she was born in the wrong century.

* * *

Cameron: Her selfish actions had consequences that affected others.

* * *

Isabella: Thought that’d get you typing.

* * *

Isabella: I liked how much fun she had. Silliness is underrated.

* * *

Cameron: Her silliness caused humiliation and misery for the rest of the Bennets!

* * *

Isabella: We’ll have to agree to disagree. I liked her. I understood her.

* * *

Cameron: She doesn’t ever grow, either, just stays the same.

* * *

Isabella: Why does she need to? She’s happy with who she is.

Inspiration hit him like the waves crashing against the rocky shoreline. That was what Henry had meant when he’d criticized his script.

He was right. Callum didn’t change. Was never tested. He was Lydia if she were a main character. No one else in the script changed either.

He could see it now. If only he had his journal!

He sent shorthand notes to himself through email. He’d write it up properly later. Ask Henry his thoughts.

If he could handle more criticism.

Maybe he’d keep it to himself.

Or maybe this is my own opportunity to improve.

Isabella: Oh, Cameron, I really want to see you.

* * *

Isabella: Like, need to see you.

* * *

Isabella: Can we meet up? Can you swing by?

* * *

Isabella: Pretty please?

* * *

Cameron: How about tomorrow after work?

* * *

Isabella: No, this can’t wait. It has to be today.

* * *

Cameron: I’m hanging with Georgie today.

* * *

Isabella: You promised to hang with us today, but we gave you space because of your dad.

* * *

Cameron: I have no car. We’re out of town, and she doesn’t finish until five.

* * *

Isabella: Five thirty then. Perfect.

* * *

Isabella: You’ll really love what I have to tell you. If you haven’t already guessed.

* * *

Isabella: Muah.

Cameron gritted his teeth. Isabella expecting him to be at her beck and call was irritating. Yet . . . what did she have to tell him?

“You all good there?”

Cameron startled at Georgie’s voice and grabbed the railing as he twisted toward her big smile. Her hair had come free of its pins. She tucked the wind-swept locks back.

“Just thinking.”

“You have the same concentrated look you had coming out of dad’s study this morning.”

“About that . . . Please don’t tell your brother?”

Georgie mimed zipping her lips. “What did you see in Dad’s office that made you frown, anyway?”

“Nothing.” He paused, then admitted, “There were a lot of pictures of you both.”

She nodded animatedly. “Every year Dad drives us out to our farm and we take new ones.”

He nodded. “It’s just . . . my dad never put up any pictures of me.”

“I’m sorry.”

He wasn’t seeking sympathy. “I meant . . . it’s nice that he does that.”

“He cares.”

“Yes.” Exactly.

A penguin waddled across the shore holding a fish in its mouth. The tour guests went wild with their cameras, and Cameron decided he loved hanging out here at the cliffs, hanging out with Georgie.

By the end of the day, he was even proficient at wrapping and bagging soft toys, and could deliver a tour verbatim.

On the ride back to the city, Georgie apologized for him having to spend the entire day with her.

“I like you, Georgie. Maybe not like your dad thinks I do, but I enjoy spending time with you. Thank you for letting me hang around.”

Georgie slowed for a light, nodding, blinking hard. “You seemed distracted by the end of it?”

“Nothing to do with your delightful company.” He sighed. “Would you do me a favor?”

Digging her sharp nails into his wrist, Isabella hauled Cameron over the threshold and dragged him through Lake and Knight’s living room.

She plucked a bottle of wine off the mantelpiece and poured two glasses.

She clinked his with a giggly smile. “It happened. Oh, stop with that arching eye. I know you know.”

Cameron stared at her, puzzled.

“This is that feeling we love so much from reading. But in real life! I keep waiting for the butterflies to subside.”

He was pulled to the couch, hardly managing to save his wine from spilling. “You probably guessed the moment I texted, but I’m so glad you came anyway. Do I seem happy to you? I feel it. Your brother is the best thing that ever happened to me. To be honest, I’m not sure I deserve him.”

She drank deeply.

A terrifying thought rushed through his mind. He gulped. Had he proposed? Without warning Cameron?

“Of course I said it back. It was the first time anyone’s ever said that to me, so I couldn’t leave him hanging!”