Cam arrives early and waits at a small table in the back of the intimate restaurant.
A mix of excitement and nerves flutter inside his chest.
He has no idea how things will go once Stella realizes he’s also CJ.
There’s a good chance she’ll be upset that she was duped.
Cam swears. He’s second-guessing his whole plan, but it’s too late for that.
Because a moment later, he sees Stella walk through the front door.
The hostess weaves her through the tables and candlelight.
Stella’s wearing a white cocktail that dress hugs every ample curve of her body like a possessive lover.
Her midnight hair falls in waves down her back and over her shoulders…
And Cam’s hands itch to dive into its silky mass.
Rising, he gathers her hands in his. He pulls her in to press a kiss to her petal-soft cheek.
Cam
You take my breath away, Stella.
She blushes and lowers her gaze to where his thumbs are caressing her palms.
Stella
Thanks. You look nice, too — I almost didn’t recognize you in the shirt and tie.
Cam holds the chair out for Stella as she sits. He takes the seat adjacent to her.
Cam
Thanks. These clothes don’t get a lot of use, so it’s nice to clean up when the occasion calls for it.
Stella
Well, I’m flattered. But I would’ve been fine with a couple sandwiches in the park, too.
Cam
You don’t like the restaurant?
Stella
No, that’s not what I mean. I love it.
Stella
I just want you to know that though fancy is nice once in a while…
Stella
Next time we can do comfy and casual.
Cam
Are you saying I’m going to get a second date already, Stella?
Stella
Maybe. If you’re a good boy.
Her eyes widen as though she realizes she’s made a mistake.
Stella
Oh God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk to you like one of my students.
Stella
Obviously I need to get out with adults more.
Cam
You can play teacher with me any time you want, Miss Torres.
Cam
I have to warn you, though…
Cam
I can be a very, very bad boy.
Stella tries—unsuccessfully—to keep a straight face.
Cam
Mm-hm. But I can promise you’ll enjoy every minute of my bad behavior.
Stella
That’s a bit presumptuous, don’t you think?
Cam
I prefer to think of it as optimistic.
Stella
I guess we’ll just have to see how that pans out for you.
The waiter interrupts them and they place their orders.
As soon as they’re alone again, Cam tries to think of a way to bring up who he really is,
But as soon as she turns those big, dark chocolate eyes on him…
He forgets his train of thought.
Stella
Has your grandma told you about any of her crazy dating stories lately?
Cam
Ugh! Thankfully no, she ha—
Cam stops mid-sentence when he realizes his mistake.
Stella
I knew it! Oh my God, I can’t believe this.
Stella
I mean, I thought I was actually going crazy.
Stella
Like maybe I’ve been talking to this guy so much that my mind was starting to play tricks on me.
Stella
But it’s actually you — you’re CJ.
Cam
I was going to tell you tonight, Stella, I swear.
Cam
I wasn’t sure how, exactly, but I was.
Playfully, Stella crosses her arms and raises and eyebrow.
Cam
How — how’d you figure it out?
Stella
That truck today, that Andy was playing on…it said “Engine 17” on the back of it.
Stella
And I remembered you telling me the number 17 was your lucky number, going back generations…
Cam
THAT’S what tipped you off?
Stella
Not just that. It was more of a niggling coincidence in the back of my mind,
Stella
But you didn’t give me much of a chance to think about it before you started with the full-on flirting.
Cam
Can’t blame me for not wanting to waste time.
Cam
And then you saw my last name, right?
Stella
Yeah. You also said “gotta go do my thing.”
Stella
You’ve said the same phrase in our text conversation when you were being called into work.
Cam
Really? I have a catch phrase and I didn’t even know it?
Cam
That’s funny, because something YOU said made me realize you were Daisy.
Stella
Oh? And what was that?
Cam
Well, it was after I saw this…
Cam turns her hand over and brushes his thumb over the tiny daisy tattoo on the inside of her wrist.
Cam
But I heard you tell that little boy in your class the “Anger is heavy” quote you told me a few days before.
Cam
I thought it had to be you, as crazy as it seemed.
Stella
It IS really crazy, right?
Stella
I mean, what were the odds of us meeting in the real world?
Stella
I still haven’t quite wrapped my mind around it.
Cam
I had the same problem after I left the school yesterday.
Cam
I thought I was looking too much into the coincidences.
Cam
That’s why I made up that game last night.
She laughs and her big brown eyes twinkle in the candlelight.
Stella
And I fell right into your trap when I told you I was a kindergarten teacher, didn’t I?
Cam
You did. Your name would have helped too, but you thwarted that attempt.
Stella slaps his hand playfully.
Stella
Hey! I made up for it with the picture.
A blush spreads over Stella’s cheeks and she averts her gaze.
Stella
That picture reminded me of all the things we’ve sent each other.
Stella
The things we’ve said and done…
Stella
I go back and forth between being embarrassed and turned on.
Cam
Choose the latter, sweetheart, because as far as I’m concerned…
Cam
There’s nothing embarrassing about anything we did or shared in our conversations.
She looks up at him through her thick lashes, a small smile curving her full lips.
Cam
Absolutely. And for the record, it wasn’t only the sexting that attracted me to you.
Cam
If all I wanted was to get laid, I could find anyone.
Cam
But with you it’s just…I enjoy talking with you about everything.
Cam
You have a great sense of humor and I like to make you laugh.
Cam
I think I fell for you the moment you asked if I wanted to annoy Chris with Chloe’s gift.
They both laugh and Stella seems to relax.
Stella
Well for the record…
She reaches forward and this time, leaves her hand on top of his.
He likes the way it feels, all soft and warm.
Stella
I like talking to you, too.
Stella
But what are we doing, Cam? I know how you feel about relationships.
Cam
Well…last night I kinda made this decision.
Cam
It came to me once I knew without a doubt you were Daisy.
Cam
I want to throw out the idea that I’m not cut out for relationships.
Cam
During our very first conversation you made a joke that maybe you were fated to help me sleep.
Cam
But that’s not the only thing you helped with over the past few weeks.
Cam
So I want to see where this goes for us. Because I think you were right.
Cam
You said I don’t have the wrong job.
Cam
And that in the past, I had the wrong woman.
Stella squeeze Cam’s hand.
Cam
I know you’ve been with the wrong person too…
Cam
So maybe…we could be the right people for each other.
A slow smile spreads across Stella’s beautiful face.
Stella
I think there’s a good chance we could be.
Cam
I’m really glad you think so.
Cam
If you said no, I was going to try plying you with orgasms until you agreed.
Stella’s eyes grow heavy lidded and she sinks her teeth into that tempting bottom lip.
Stella
Is it too late to take back my answer then? I think I’d enjoy being convinced.
Cam’s cock starts to grow in his slacks and he loses the last thread of patience he has.
Cam
Damn, I want you so badly.
Cam
Do you think it’ll be frowned upon if I put my head between your thighs right in the middle of the restaurant?
Stella chokes on a laugh and Cam smiles.
Cam
Want to get our food to go?
Stella catches the waiter’s attention from across the room.
