"You think that''s possible?" Cameron stared at him. "Do you believe we can go back to how things were?"


    Even Austin''s patience had its limits. After repeated rejections, his smile vanished. "I''ve apologized a dozen times!" he snapped.


    "So?" Cameron snorted. "That means I owe you forgiveness?"


    Austin said, "Enough with the grudge, Cameron."


    Cameron''s eyes turned icy. "Last warning, Austin. Stop harassing me, or you''ll regret it."


    Austin shrugged. "Do your worst. You saved my life. You might as well take it back."


    Cameron almost lost her temper.


    "Cam.” Just then, Jacqueline and Helen''s approaching footsteps crunched over the sand.


    Cameron thought Austin was hopeless. She couldn''t even stand to look at him any longer.


    Then, she schooled her features into serenity. As she brushed past him, she warned him in a low voice. "Don''t bother me again."


    Austin didn''t respond.


    Cameron beamed at Jacqueline. "Mom."


    "Having a nice chat?" Jacqueline asked warmly.


    Cameron linked arms with her. "Just catching up."


    Helen nced between Cameron''s practiced smile and Austin''s rigid posture, brow furrowing.


    By the time Austin turned around, his mask was wless again. "Mrs. Yates," he said softly. "Cameron and I have so much inmon."


    "Really?" Jacqueline ruffled Cameron''s hair affectionately.


    Cameron frowned, then forced herself to rx.


    Helen smiled, "You two are ssmates. Of course, you''d have a lot inmon."


    Austin chuckled, "Helen, we''re alumni, too."


    Helen''s smile widened. "Yeah, we are."


    For the rest of the day, the four of them stayed together the whole time. Every time Austin tried to catch Cameron alone, she deliberately shut him out.


    By evening, Jacqueline had warmly extended dinner invitations to both Helen and Austin.


    Levi looked at Cameron with loving eyes. "Did you enjoy your afternoon, sweetheart?"


    Cameron nodded. "Very much, Dad." As long as her mom was there, it was perfect.


    Gavin looked guilty. "Sorry, Cam. i''ve been too busytely. I couldn''t join you."


    Cameron smiled gently, "I''m not a kid needing constant entertainment. As long as Mom was with me, that''s enough."


    Austin sighed dramatically, "Cameron, our family so warm. I''m jealous."


    13:36 Wed, 18 Jun G 88


    Cameron nced at him and gave a faint smile, without saying a single word.


    Helen, trying not to let the moment grow awkward, smiled, "Yeah, our family has always been loving."


    Austin''s gaze dropped. "I wish 1 had that."


    Seeing Austin''s sad look, Helen wasn''t sure what to say tofort him.


    Jacqueline smiled, "You''re Helen''s friend. If you''d like, feel free toe visit anytime."


    Austin''s head snapped up, eyes shining. "Really? Mrs. Yates. But... won''t that be too much of a bother?"


    Jacqueline shook her head. "Not at all."


    Levi stayed silent. If Austin were Helen''s potential boyfriend, asional visits wouldn''t be an issue either.


    As for Gavin, his attention had never left Cameron the entire dinner.


    After dinner, while others lingered over chat, Cameron went outside and gazed silently at the night sky.


    Less than a minuteter, she heard footsteps approaching. She turned around and saw Austin standing behind her.


    Cameron looked at him with a faint smile and whispered, "nning toe to my home often?"


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