Cameron was dropping butter and cream on her te when she said, "Brad, you''re so gentle normally. I thought you''d go easy on pretty girls, but turn out you''re a total straight shooter."


    Bradleyughed, "Go easy on pretty girls?" He pushed the nut crumbs toward her. "You forgot the nuts."


    "I don''t eat nuts, thanks," Cameron said.


    Bradley was stunned. He hadn''t picked up on that.


    "Look, Cameron," he said, "I think guys should go easy on the girls they


    ey like. Why waste that kind of care on someone you''re not into?" Otherwise, you end up like Eddie-a total yer.


    Cameron paused, setting down her fork to look at him. "So you really don''t like Amelia? But she''s stunning."


    To be fair, when Cameron had seen Amelia tonight, even she''d been blown away, and she was a girl. She hadn''t expected Bradley to bepletely unaffected.


    Bradley shrugged. "Since when does likinge


    depend on looks? Smoked sausages are ready," he said, cing some on her te.


    "Thanks," Cameron nodded.


    Bradley didn''t want to keep talking about Amelia. There was nothing more to say. He asked, "Cameron, are you staying at Noble Vista these days?"


    She nodded. "Yeah, it''s more convenient here."


    "I''m back now. I could drive you to work every day. Do you want to move back? Pearl''s been lonely."


    Cameron thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, I don''t want to hassle you, Brad. I''ll get my driver''s license soon, then buy a car." That would make things easier.


    Bradley smiled, "Convenience is key." He thought, ''I''ll just stay here too, then.''


    He had specifically bought that castle for Cameron to raise Pearl. If she wasn''t going back, neither would he.


    They talked as they ate, not finishing up until 11:30 p.m.


    When Cameron got up to clear the table, Bradley stopped her. "Leave it. I''ll have the cleaners handle it tomorrow. It''ste, and you''ve got work in the morning. Go get some rest."


    Cameron nodded. "Alright, Brad. Night."


    Bradley walked her to the door.


    She turned back. “Brad, I really am sorry about today. It won''t en again."


    Bradley flicked her head gently. "Since when are you such a worrywart? Go on, get some sleep."


    Cameron waved and hurried off.


    Bradley stayed put, watching her go with a smile. He wondered, ''Why would Eric think Mike Cameron?''


    Sure, he thought Cameron was nice. But Cameron was a guy. Even though Bradley hadn''t fallen for any girls yet, he was pretty sure he was straight,


    404 Nu, Jun MNO


    The next day, after washing up, Cameron picked up her phone and saw a message from Bradley: Walting in the parking lot.)


    Cameron was confused, wondering, ''Why does he want to meet in the parking lot early in the morning?'' Still, she shot back: (Okay.]


    She changed and headed downstairs, still in men''s clothes with a chest binder. The weather made it stifling, but she needed to find the right time to reveal she was a girl. Dropping that out of nowhere would freak everyone out.


    When Cameron got to the parking lot, there was Bradley, waiting for her.