Protect Me Not

Chapter 11

As soon as he saw her, Camden jumped out of his waiting car to greet her. He opened the door to the back seat for her as any chauffeur would. His black luxury vehicle screamed privacy with dark tinted windows. The leather interior was noticeably spotless and the car aroma oozed that new car smell.

"Is this a new car Camden? It's not the same one you picked me up in at the airport is it?" Mary asked politely. That day almost seemed like a distant memory even though it occurred nearly 24 hours prior.

"Ya, well no really," was his explanation.

"Okay then," Mary sarcastically uttered.

"Well what I mean is that it is different from the one I picked you up in yesterday but it's not new. Well, new to me," Camden paused.

"It's nice is all I'm saying," Mary reassured.

"Thank you Madame," he joked hoping to change the topic. "Where are you off to today?"

"Considering my appointment has not been confirmed for a specific time, or date for that matter; I am going shopping," she declared.

"Shopping it is! So where would you like to go shopping?" Camden asked.

"Yorkdale please," she informed him in a rather professional tone.

"Yorkdale Shopping Centre it is. You know we could have walked there," he forewarned. "It will actually take longer to get through traffic and park than it would to walk to the Centre."

"Thank you Camden but I do believe I hired you to drive me to my destinations, not advise me on the best mode of transportation," Mary concluded.

"Yes, of course," he uttered. "Please accept my apologies."

"Oh my God! Geesh, I was only fooling around with you," she explained half laughing. "I'm hoping this day relaxes me and lifts my spirits up a bit so no more formalities okay?"

"Oh, okay," Camden said with relief. "For a moment I thought I had really pissed you off."

"No, don't be silly," she giggled. "In fact, today you are going to be my personal shopper and my companion."

"Sounds like you have our day all planned out," he exclaimed with pride. "Don't forget your lunch date too."

"Lunch date? Well I wouldn't go as far as calling it a date. I am married you know," Mary reasserted.

"I know that, I just meant...Well what I should have said is your lunch mate," Camden corrected.

With a girlish smile and a slight chuckle Mary's day seemed to have picked up already. Camden was the exact type of friend she had been looking for. He wasn't possessive and he seemed to understand her need for pure friendship without any strings attached.

"My Mate, we have arrived," Camden joked.

Opening the back door and extending his hand to assist Mary's exit from the car was the first of many kind and friend like gestures Camden offered Mary. They both strolled through the clothing stores arm and arm as if they had been friends for many years. They would exchange glances and looks of both disapproval and approval on items that were being considered for purchase. Their natural correspondence with one another flowed flawlessly and without effort. It was like they were meant to be friends with each other from day one. Mary was more than pleased to have made such a strong personal connection with Camden.

"Maybe this is exactly the type of trip I needed to get my head screwed back on straight," she vowed.

"I wasn't aware your head was crooked," he interjected.