Chapter 14: Coffee
955 Words
Chapter 14
Camille groaned the moment she opened her eyes.
Her head pounded.
Her body felt heavy.
And the sunlight streaming through her window was doing absolutely nothing to help.
She blinked slowly, staring at the ceiling.
“…What time is it?”
She reached blindly for her phone on the bedside table.
12:04 PM.
Her eyes widened.
“Shit.”
She sat up too fast and immediately regretted it, pressing her fingers to her temples.
“I’ve been sleeping that long?”
She looked around quickly.
Her apartment.
Her bed.
Everything in place.
She exhaled in relief. “Thank God…”
Her memory of last night came back in fragments—
the club…
the music…
Cameron…
Her heart skipped. She blushed when reality becomes clear. She kissed him.
She grabbed her phone again.
Multiple messages.
Cameron: Did you get wake up okay?
Cameron: Drink water when you wake up.
Cameron: You’re probably sleeping, but text me when you’re up.
Camille stared at the screen, her chest warming slightly despite her headache.
She typed:
Camille: I’m alive. Barely.
Three dots appeared almost instantly—
Then—
DING DONG.
Her head snapped toward the door.
“…No way.”
The doorbell rang again.
“Be right there!” she called out, her voice still rough.
She jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror—
then froze.
Her outfit.
Still the same dress from last night.
Her hair—messy.
Makeup—slightly smudged.
“Oh my God.”
She rushed to the bathroom, splashing water on her face, brushing her teeth quickly, then throwing on a robe.
“Okay… okay…” she muttered, taking a deep breath before opening the door.
And there he was.
Cameron.
Standing there like he just walked out of a magazine.
Simple white shirt. Casual shorts.
Clean.
Fresh.
Effortless.
And somehow even more unfairly attractive in daylight.
Camille blinked.
“You look… alive,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
She crossed her arms slightly. “Don’t start.”
He smiled softly. “Rough morning?”
“You have no idea,” she groaned.
His expression softened immediately. “I figured.”
He lifted a small bag in his hand. “I brought you something.”
Camille stepped aside. “You came all the way here?”
“Yeah,” he said simply, walking in. “You didn’t sound like you’d survive alone.”
She closed the door behind him, watching as he moved comfortably into her kitchen like he had been there before.
“What did you bring?” she asked, leaning against the counter.
“Hangover recovery kit,” he said. “Water, something light to eat… and coffee.”
At the word coffee, she perked up slightly.
“Okay, you can stay.”
He chuckled under his breath.
As he started preparing it, Camille watched him quietly.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she said softly.
He glanced at her. “I wanted to.”
A small silence followed.
Then Camille looked down slightly.
“…About last night,” she started. She blushed
Cameron paused for a second, then continued pouring the coffee.
“You don’t have to apologize,” he said.
“I wasn’t going to,” she replied, lifting her chin slightly.
That made him smile.
“I just… don’t usually act like that,” she admitted.
“I know,” he said gently.
She looked at him. “You do?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “That’s why I didn’t let it go too far.”
Her chest tightened slightly.
“You could have,” she said quietly.
Cameron met her eyes.
“I could have,” he admitted.
A pause.
“But I didn’t want that version of you.”
Camille blinked. “What do you mean?”
He stepped closer, handing her the cup of coffee.
“I want you when you’re sure,” he said. “Not when you’re tipsy and emotional.”
Her grip on the cup tightened slightly.
That… did something to her.
Something deeper than flirting.
“Last night wasn’t a mistake,” he added. “I just want to do things right with you.”
Camille looked at him, really looked at him.
“You’re different,” she said softly.
“I told you,” he replied with a small smile. “I’m not playing around.”
She took a sip of the coffee.
Warm.
Perfect.
And somehow… comforting.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
Another pause.
Then Cameron straightened slightly.
“So,” he said, more casually now, “I’m making it up to you.”
Camille raised a brow. “Making what up?”
“Last night,” he said. “I’m taking you out. Properly.”
Her lips curved slightly. “Properly?”
“Dinner,” he nodded. “No loud music. No distractions. Just you and me.”
She studied him. “And?”
“And,” he added, his voice softening just a little, “I’ll ask you something.”
Her heart skipped.
“What kind of question?” she asked carefully.
He smiled—but didn’t answer directly.
“You’ll see tonight.”
Camille narrowed her eyes playfully. “You’re being mysterious now?”
“Just a little,” he said.
She took another sip of her coffee, trying to hide the smile forming on her lips.
“Okay,” she said finally. “I’ll go.”
Cameron nodded once, satisfied.
“Good.”
As he turned slightly, Camille watched him again.
Still calm.
Still steady.
Still dangerously good at making her feel something she wasn’t used to.
And for the first time—
she wasn’t questioning it.
She was looking forward to it.
- Writer
