Eddie grinned. "Of course I told him ahead of time. You''ll being here often."


    Cameron nodded.


    Eddie then sidled closer, prompting Cameron to immediately shift away. She wasn''t used to people getting that close, especially not someone she barely


    knew.


    "Don''t dodge, cutie," Eddie teased. "I got something to tell you.”


    Cameron said, "Just say it, Eddie. I prefer personal space."


    Eddie shot a nce at Bradley before whispering, "I can''t let Brad hear our secrets."


    Cameron was speechless.


    Bradley stood. "I''ll head upstairs."


    As he reached the foot of the stairs, Eddie spoke, "Don''t you think Brad treats you differently?"


    Cameron stiffened. "Huh? Different? Brad has helped me a lot. Hmm... He''s generous," In her view, Bradley was a good guy.


    Eddie smirked. "Generous? Yeah. He dropped 100 million dors on this castle just for your tiger."


    Cameron was dumbfounded upon hearing this.


    Eddie rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If you were a girl, I''d think Brad had his first crush. But you''re a guy."


    Cameron slightly parted her lips, then pressed them again. She was speechless.


    Eddie watched her with a satisfied smile. "Cutie, you''ve got really nice skin, so tender and smooth. Mind if I touch it?" As he spoke, he reached out toward


    her face.


    The next second, his hovering hand was abruptly intercepted by Bradley''s grip. "Ow! Damn it. Brad, let go!" Eddie screamed in pain.


    Bradley shoved Eddie''s wrist away. "Keep your pickup artistry outside. Cameron is male."


    Rubbing his wrist, Eddie huffed. "Pickup artistry? I just wanted to see if his cheek was as soft as it looks."


    Bradley stared at him.


    Cameron finally spoke up, "Eddie, just call me Cameron. My name is Cameron Wace." Being called "cutie" was odd.


    "Sure thing, Cam." Eddie grinned.


    Cameron was speechless.


    The three of them chatted while dinner was prepared.


    The dishes on the oak banquet table were impable, aromas weaving through the hall.


    As they settled in, Eddie picked up a bottle of vintage wine. "Have a drink, Cam?” Cameron nodded. "Sure." Tomorrow was Saturday. She didn''t have to go to school.


    Bradley offered no objection.


    After decanting the wine, Eddie filled three sses.


    Cameron stood up, holding her ss. "Brad, this toast is mandatory. Thank you


    for everything." Her gaze dropped to Pearl, curled obediently at her fee


    Bradley motioned downward. "Sit, please. It was nothing."


    Cameron stayed standing. She thought, ''Nothing? This castle is worth 100 million dors!''


    Bradley relented, standing to clink sses. “Friends help when needed."


    Cameron raised her drink. "It''s all in the wine." With that, she drank it all in one go.


    Eddie apuded. "Good drinker, Cam." He replenished Cameron''s ss instantly.


    Bradley drained his own but frowned at Eddie''s refill. "That''s enough for Cameron."


    Eddie grinned. "Enough? Cam is a good drinker. Wait, you drank yours too?"


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