KISS ME

CHAPTER 11 - ABSENCE

The dew was on the grass the next morning when she ran barefoot across the back lawn and let herself into the house. She was tiptoeing up the stairs when she heard her mother clearing her throat from behind her.

"I think this is what they call the walk of shame, no?"

She turned around with a guilty smile, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"Morning Mama."

"Mila, what are you doing?"

Camila raised an eyebrow.

"Very funny," Sinu said drily. "I mean, is this a good idea? A romance with your handsome prince?"

"It's not like I just met him on the set and fell for him, Mama, I've had a mad crush on him for years, and him for me."

"Well, I know that. You two were so obvious back then, and it was written all over you both when he came for waffles."

"We were? It was?"

"Of course, but still, this worries me. What if you are not careful and word gets out?"

"We WILL be careful Mama, I promise."

The next day they had to go their separate ways. Shawn had some interviews to do in London, and a photo shoot, and Camila had a location shoot in the Lake District. She was picked up early, but by then Shawn was on his way. He rang her and talked to her while he drove, and she sat in the back of the car that had been arranged for her. The photo shoot went late, and Shawn decided to stay in the city. Camila was on location for three days anyway, there was nothing to rush home for, he said. They texted and talked, and it was sexy and flirty but they shied away from discussing their feelings. Camila was still so confused. She didn't want to sit alone in her room in the stately home they'd rented for the cast, so she joined them in the dining room and then they adjourned to the big living area where they all played silly games like Twister and charades and had a few drinks. She hadn't been aware that anyone took photos until the next morning when her mother messaged her with the pic of her and one of her co-stars in what could be construed as a compromising situation, but in reality was just a collapsing Twister moment. Social media had gone wild, and just as she and Shawn had discussed, fans online began to ship her with the other guy, whose boyfriend would probably be most amused. Shawn knew him, so there would be no jealousy, but she wasn't sure how he would feel about her being linked romantically to someone else nevertheless.

It was a long day on location and this time she did go straight up to her room. She had a shower, did some yoga and meditation to wind down, and ate the meal she had sent up. Then she sat on her bed and called Shawn. He would be waiting for her to ring, they had a prearranged time, and he answered on the first ring.

"Hi," he said almost shyly.

"Hey you," she replied softly. She was tired, and decided to slip under the covers and turn the lamp off while she talked to him. "How was your day?"

"I drove back today, but didn't have to go into the studio. I worked on my music at home. How was the shoot?"

"Long, exhausting, good."

"And how are you feeling about your new relationship with Nathan?" he asked in an amused tone, mentioning her Twister cohort.

"They're all going to feel pretty stupid once they realise he is quite openly gay."

"I know, I thought they would have found that out before they declared your romance."

"Well, it has taken the focus off us for a while," she said tiredly.