Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Thirty-nine, New Fortunes
Rating: R [sexual situations, mild language]

Summary: Both Jimmy and Robert end up at their own homes, with their children, with varying results. Summer & Cameron fight teenage hormones, with varying results.





Stretching, Jimmy’s hands lightly collided with the headboard. He opened one eye and glanced around. It took him a few confused moments to realize he was not in a hotel room, but in his own bed, in his own house. A smile twitched at his lips. He had not realized how nice it felt to wake up in his own house. It was precisely the reason he even owned a house.

Feeling a bit odd, he slowly sat up. He rubbed his eyes before looking around. His eyes collided with a similar staring gaze. He blinked, trying to process what he saw.

“Hello, Scarlet.”

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Should you really be in here?” he asked coolly.

“I dreamed you were here. I had to make sure,” she stated.

“I see.”

“Can we go to the park?”

“You should ask your mother that.”

“I want you to take me,” she declared.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he responded and pivoted out of the bed. “Why don’t you go downstairs and… see what your mother is doing?”

“But I wanna be with you,” she protested.

Jimmy sighed, “Scarlet, go downstairs so Daddy can get dressed.”

“But–”

“Scarlet, go,” he pointed to the door.

She pouted, folded her arms across her chest, and stomped her foot. Jimmy continued to point and stare at her, remaining resolute. Her frown turned into a scowl and she turned on her heel, stomping out of the room. Shaking his head, he got out of bed and headed into the master ensuite bathroom.

Showered and impeccably dressed, Jimmy headed downstairs. He poured himself a cup of coffee, glancing sideways at Scarlet who sat at the breakfast table, eating a bowl of cereal. She flashed him a toothy smile, half-chewed cereal dripping out of her mouth. However, he found it slightly amusing; he merely shook his head and looked away from the young girl.

Charlotte entered the kitchen, picked up the coffee pot, and dumped out the rest of the coffee, “What are your plans for the day, Jimmy?”

“I wasn’t done with that,” he grumbled, setting down his coffee cup.

“It’s nearly noon, Jimmy. You don’t need coffee.”

He glowered at her and snatched the carafe from her. Remaining silent, he filled it with water and approached the coffeemaker. Not entirely sure what to do, he stood there, staring at the machine. Charlotte rolled her eyes and reached around him. Without saying a word, she prepared more coffee for the broody musician. He politely thanked her after she refilled his cup and headed towards the breakfast table where Scarlet still sat. Rather than sit next to his daughter, Jimmy pulled out the chair furthest from her.

Glancing at Scarlet, he spoke, “Charlotte, you need to keep the girl out of my room.”

She turned to look at Jimmy, “Excuse me.”

“When I woke up, she was there, staring at me,” he declared before sipping his coffee.

“She is your daughter. And she can hear you just fine right now,” she pointed out.

His dark eyes flicked to the young girl. Her mouth was completely open, her bottom lip trembling. His mouth moved to apologize or explain or something, but no words came out. He looked to Charlotte for help, but the Frenchwoman merely stood there, her hand on her hip.

Looking back at his daughter, Jimmy sighed, “Daddy does love you, Scarlet. He just needs time alone in the morning.”

Her lip still trembled.

“Daddy is not nice in the morning. I’m sorry,” he stated.

Her large eyes continued to stare at him, but she did not quite look as if she was about to cry.

Pushing back from the table, Jimmy walked around it and knelt in front of the young girl, “Daddy is very sorry. Can you forgive me?”

She shook her head quickly.

He frowned, “What if I take you to the park today?”

Her eyes lit up, “Really?”

Jimmy nodded.

Scarlet jumped off her chair, throwing her little arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek, “Yes, Daddy!”

He chuckled, holding her awkwardly, “Okay then. Let’s go find some shoes.”

“Can Amy come too?” the young girl asked, releasing Jimmy.

“Uh,” he glanced at Charlotte who nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

“Yay!” Scarlet shouted and hurried out of the room.

“Who’s Amy?” he asked, eyes back on Charlotte.

“Her baby doll. That you send from America,” she answered. “You better get the baby buggy ready.”

Jimmy groaned and followed his lady from the kitchen. What had he gotten himself into?



Gasping, Summer sat up quickly in bed. The crisp white sheet fell away from her body, revealing her nudity. Her wide blue eyes looked around in the darkness, her heart pounding. From dark shadow to dark shadow, her gaze darted. Though she did not know why or what, she was certain the darkness was trying to consume her. Images quickly flicked through her head, making her fear rise. Nothing seemed to make sense, but she could feel her nightmare at the very edge of consciousness.

Calling softly for her dog once her fear loosened its grip on her thoughts slightly. She frowned upon realizing the dog likely slept with Cameron once more. Aware she would not be able to go back to sleep alone, she slowly pulled the sheet off her legs and pivoted out of bed. Her toes snagged on her sleep shirt, making her brows knit slightly in confusion. She had no clue why or when she removed the garment, trying to not sleep nude as long as Cameron stayed with her. Rather than focus on that, as she did not want to be alone in the room any more, she quickly scooped it off the floor and hurried to the door.

She threw the door open and pulled her shirt back on. Not having any idea what time it was, she was nonetheless disappointed that Cameron was not on the couch. Tense with fear, she hurried over to his room. Though she knocked very lightly, she did not wait for him to answer. Her fingers curled around the doorknob, relief filling her when it turned without resistance. She pushed the door open and stepped in, looking around in the darkness.

Her eyes first found Queenie, happily curled up on Cameron’s pants. The dog did not stir as the young woman closed the door and inched closer. Rather than wake the puppy, she turned and approached the bed. Cameron slept once more on his back, his breaths deep and even.

“Cameron?” she muttered softly. “You awake?”

The young man did not respond.

Biting her bottom lip, Summer lifted up his bedcovers. With a bit of hesitation, she slipped into the bed and wiggled close to him. He unconsciously shifted to accommodate her. Reading his silent body language, Summer curled around his body, resting her head in the hollow of his shoulder, and let the bedcovers drop back down on them. Though nightmare images still danced on the edge of her thoughts, Summer relaxed and slowly managed to drift back asleep.

With his body rigid with arousal, Cameron slowly drifted into conscious thought a few hours later. He considered slipping his hand into his shorts to alleviate his sexual tension before seeing Summer. However, as he continued to wake up, he realized he was not alone in his bed. Lit by the warm light of mid-morning filtering between cracks in the curtains, his gaze settled on the young woman snuggled against his left side. His breath caught as she moaned every so softly and moved against him, her leg draped over his and dangerously close to his morning erection.

His eyes studied her sleeping features. Her long blond hair curled wildly about her shoulders, drifting onto his chest. Lips seemingly stained with sun-kissed strawberries parted slightly, allowing her breath to escape. Dark eyelashes danced slightly on her cheeks, indicating the nubile beauty dreamed. While his thoughts flicked to wondering what she dreamed, his eyes continued to appraise her silently. Part of him wished to pull back the bedcovers, certain her sleep shirt would be in disarray and allow him more glimpses of her body. Instead, Cameron closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to focus on the sensation of her breasts pressed against his side and chest and her little hand resting over his heartbeat.

The deep breaths were not helping. In fact, they increased the boil in his blood as each inhalation filled his lungs with her sweet, natural scent. He could feel each cell buzzing with light at contact with her cells. He had no idea what to make of how he was feeling – only that he needed to get out of bed and away from the pretty girl before he crossed a line.

Focusing on that thought, Cameron slowly started to pull away from the girl. Careful to not wake her, he moved her limbs as gently as possible. When her thigh accidentally brushed his erection in the actions, he gasped and froze. As what little blood that pounded in his head and heart rushed to fill his lower member, Cameron struggled to not grind against her soft, nude leg. His thoughts instantly jumped to the fact she was naked from the waist down and his body twitched slightly. He was certain if he had not been wearing boxers and sleep pants, he would not have been able to resist. Yet he found enough focus in his body to pull fully away from her and roll out of the bed.

He glanced once more at her as he stood up, his pants tented more than he could remember in a long time. Still asleep, Summer rolled onto her back, pulling the sheet taught about her hips. The motion also revealed her naked abdomen, scrunching the tee shirt under the swells of her small breasts. Cameron groaned and darted into the bathroom.

When he ventured back into the bedroom a few minutes later, he sighed upon finding Summer still sleeping in his bed, still half-exposed. Keeping his eyes from her, he rooted around the room and quickly shed his pajamas. Once fully dressed, he quietly herded the puppy from the room and closed the door behind him. Queenie stretched and shook before happily sitting at Cameron’s feet for her leash to be clicked on. With a slight smirk, he headed out of the suite to walk the dog, making certain to stop at the front desk to order breakfast up to the room.

Waking in the smaller bedroom, Summer stretched like a cat. Her fingers reached to her right, expecting to find Cameron next to her. When her fingertips collided with nothing but air and cold sheets, she abruptly sat up. Panic filled her blue eyes as she looked around, searching for any indication of the boy’s location.

“Cameron?” she called weakly. “Cameron?”

Getting out of the bed, she pulled the nightshirt down and reached for the doorknob. Stepping out of the bedroom, she looked around, hoping to see him sitting on the sofa watching TV or something like that. Finding the living room empty, she checked her bedroom and then stepped out on the balcony. She sighed and leaned on the railing. She was alone. Again. She hated being alone more than anything.

Feeling discontent and suddenly lost, Summer pushed away from the edge. This seemed like the perfect time to call Jimmy and lament the fact he was so far away. She turned around and headed back into the suite. As she stepped in, her eyes landed on her dog’s dish. Her mouth dropped open. Not only had Cameron left, but he had stolen her dog as well.

As that thought crossed her mind, the door opened and the yappy puppy bolted in. Tears spilled down Summer’s cheeks as she squatted for the dog and happily rubbed her. Her eyes flicked up to Cameron, her lips parting slightly.

“Summer,” he breathed, instantly noticing her tears.

Abandoning her dog, she jumped over Queenie and rushed to Cameron. She threw her arms around him, causing him to stumble backwards slightly. He quickly circled around her, holding her tight. Though he did not know the cause of her tears, Cameron wanted nothing more than to comfort her. His thoughts raced to the phone, leaping to the thought that Jimmy called and ended their relationship.

“Shhhhh, sweetheart. You can come back to California with me. We’ll figure things out,” he softly assured her.

“You’re… you’re going to California?” she muttered, leaning back to wipe her tears.

“That is where I live,” Cameron stated. “We can probably leave this afternoon. I’m sure it won’t take long to book the flight.”

“Why do you want to leave me?”

“I’m not leaving you! You’re coming with me!”

“…Why California?”

“Because, Summer, sweetheart, I might have a job, but I can’t afford this suite. I can get us back to California, but I can’t promise it will be as luxury as you’re used to,” Cameron declared.

“I don’t understand. Why are you taking me to California?”

He remained silent for a few seconds, “Jimmy didn’t call and break up with you?”

Her eyes widened, “He wants to break up with me!?”

“No no. Of course he doesn’t. I just thought… you were crying and I thought…”

“I was crying because you left me,” she shoved his chest slightly, causing his embrace to break.

“Me? I was just out walking your dog.”

Before she could respond to that, a knock sounded at the door. Cameron quickly placed his finger over her mouth to keep her silence before turning away to answer the door. He stepped aside, allowing the breakfast attendant to bring in their food. The young man set the silver-domed platters on the breakfast table, barely glancing at the young, hardly dressed woman. Cameron held out a tip to the attendant as he wheeled his service tray out of the suite, his eyes focused on Summer.

As soon as the door closed, she instantly declared, “I’m so sorry, Cameron. I woke up alone and you were completely gone and so was Queenie. I just… I just instantly thought the worst. I’m sorry.”

“Summer,” he approached her again, stopping just short of embracing her once more, “I’m not going to just up and walk out on you. I like you too much.”

“But… you were gone…”

He reached up and touched her cheek, “You looked so… sweet and perfect sleeping in my bed. I could not bear to wake you. I would have left a note if I thought you would see it.”

She bit her bottom lip about the slight, knowing he did not leave a note because he knew she could not read. Instead, she remained standing where she was, feeling a bit awkward and out of place.

“Summer,” he reached for her chin and tilted her face up to his, “why were you in my bed?”

Her nightmare instantly flashed into her mind and she squeezed her eyes closed, “I… I had nightmares last night and…”

Cameron quickly kissed her forehead, “You don’t need to say any more. Let’s have breakfast?”

After eating and depositing their dishes in the hallway, the two teens sat on the couch. Cameron was slightly uncomfortable with the fact Summer had yet to get dressed, but he made no mention of it. He could feel she was still on edge and he did not want to see her tears again – ever, really. Therefore, he sat next to her, internally debating turning on the television or telling her funny stories.

“Fire,” Summer blurted.

Cameron’s eyes went to hers, “Fire?”

“I kept dreaming of fire. Fire consuming everything and everyone I love,” she muttered softly. “I… there was something else more sinister about it, but I don’t know what. I woke up and was so terrified. I probably should have woken you up, not just crawled in bed with you but…”

He reached over and grasped her hand, squeezing it gently, “It’s okay, Summer. In fact… it was kinda nice waking up with you next to me.”

“I… my mom was killed in a fire,” her eyes remained downcast.

“Summer, you don’t have to…”

“She was in that fire that destroyed the compound. I…”

Cameron shifted over and embraced her, “Maybe she survived it.”

“No one survived. I went back and burned my feet so badly I couldn’t walk for weeks. There’s no way anyone survived,” she breathed. “There’s no way.”

“Miracles can happen. Have you heard anything from the investigators?”

“No.”

“Well… I know people up in the Bay area. I could call them and see if they’ve heard anything?”

“Really?”

“Really,” he nodded.

“Thank you,” she responded meekly. “I’m sorry for crawling into your bed.”

“It’s okay, Summer. It was kinda nice.”

“I’m just not… I’m not used to sleeping alone. And since my dog now sleeps with you…”

“Then I guess tonight we’ll just have to sleep together.”

Her eyes darted to his, “Really?”

He nodded cautiously, “But you really need to sleep with pants on.”

She smirked, “I have some shorts I can wear.”

“Good. Have you called Jimmy yet?”

Her eyes widened, “No.”

“You better do that before he starts worrying again.”

Nodding, she jumped up and retrieved the note from her purse. With Cameron’s aid, she read the note a few times until it made sense and then approached the phone. Sitting next to the device, Summer waited as it rang. She gave up after ten rings and hung the phone back up.

“No answer?” Cameron asked.

“No,” she shook her head and returned to sitting next to him on the couch. “You think he’s okay?”

“He’s probably just busy with press from the concerts,” he reasoned. “How about we work on a book and see if he calls back?”

She nodded, “Thank you, Cameron.”

He smiled, “Of course, sweetheart. Of course.”



Finding it completely ridiculous that he was driving back to his house in Black Country, Robert glowered at the road. He did not understand why Maureen had not signed the separation papers. He thought he was completely clear when he left the house that they were done. The longer she resisted, the more difficult it would be. Not just on him, but on her. The more she refused to sign the papers, the less he was going to give her. Plain and simple. She could go and live with her parents for all he cared.

Pulling up at the house with a scowl on his face, Robert groaned upon seeing Shirley’s car. He did not want to deal with her on top of dealing with his wife. However, it was too late. His daughter spotted him through the window and bolted out of the house towards the car. Therefore, he turned off the car and stepped out, closing the door just in time to embrace Carmen.

“Oh Daddy, I’m so glad you’re here!” the young girl professed.

“Hey,” he hugged her. “How have you been?”

“I thought you weren’t going to go away any more,” she stated.

Robert sighed, “I can’t stay here, Carmen.”

“Why not, Dad?”

“It’s complicated, sweetie. Is your mother here or just Aunt Shirley?”

“Aunt Shirley. Mom is with Karac at the doctor’s,” she answered.

Alarm instantly filled Robert, “Is he okay?”

She shrugged, “Probably just an ear infection.”

“Oh, I see. Well they’ll be back soon, right?”

She shrugged again, “I guess.”

Robert looked down at his daughter for a moment, “How about you and me go out on a lunch date?”

Her eyes brightened, “Really!?”

He nodded, turning to open his car door again, “Hop in. We can go wherever you want.”

“Yes!” the girl grinned and hurried around the car.

Nearly two hours later, father and daughter returned to the house. Before he even stepped out of the car, Maureen and Shirley rushed towards the vehicle. Maureen opened the door quickly, embracing her daughter and pulling her from the car. Shirley rushed around the car, her eyes set on Robert. He merely rolled his eyes and stepped around her, heading up to the house.

“You should not have taken her without saying anything,” Maureen spoke softly as they reached the door.

“It was just for lunch. She’s my daughter too,” he responded.

“I have been out of my mind since getting home. You should have–”

“How is my son?”

Her eyes glanced at the staircase, “Another ear infection. He’s asleep now. You can see him later.”

“I’ll see him before I leave. I cannot stay long,” he spoke softly.

“What? Why?”

“I’m only here for the papers, Maureen.”

“Papers?”

“I sent you separation papers a few days ago.”

Her lips parted slightly before she corralled her emotion, “I see.”

“My lawyer says you have not signed and returned them.”

“Perhaps,” she turned away, heading to the kitchen, “that is because I never got any papers.”

Robert followed his wife, “Excuse me?”

“I have not received anything from you, Robert,” she stated. “Except tickets to the concert and an invitation backstage, to watch some whore suck your cock.”

Confused, he stopped a few feet from her, “I am sorry you had to see that, but I did not send you tickets and an invitation.”

“No?” she plucked an envelope from the counter and held it up. “This isn’t from you?”

His blue eyes flicked to the envelope and instantly recognized it as Swan Song stationary, “Well that is the band’s company, yes, but I did not send it. Why would I invite you after what happened last time I was here?”

Her eyes dropped to her hands, focusing on her wedding band, “I thought you had a change of heart and wanted to reconcile.”

“I…” he halted, hearing unfamiliar emotion in her voice. “Maureen…”

Her eyes lifted to his, tears running over her dark lashes to dampen her cheeks, “Can we not try?”

He sighed, “I told you… I fell in love.”

“Fall in love with me again,” she declared.

Robert frowned, “I can’t just decide that.”

“Sure you can,” a voice spoke up behind him, making his skin crawl. “You chose to fall in love with Maureen the first time. Choose it again.”

“Bugger off, Shirley,” he glanced over his shoulder. “This has nothing to do with you.”

She rolled her eyes, “Choose your family, Robert. Not some slag back in the States.”

Before he could warn her to not speak of someone she did not know in such a manner, she turned and left the kitchen. Sighing, he looked back at his wife, his eyes focusing on her tears. He had not come all that way to make her cry. He certainly had not driven all that way to feel anything for her. But dammit, he was.

Running his hands through his long blond hair, Robert sighed. He stepped forward and opened his arms. Her eyes wavered, trying to read his intentions. Robert took another step forward and embraced his wife. She resisted for a moment before giving in and pressing her face to his chest. Petting her dark hair, he spoke softly, trying to silence her tears.

“I’ll do it,” he muttered.

“Do what?” she breathed.

“Give us, give this family, another chance.”

Maureen pulled back and looked into his eyes, “Really?”

“On one condition.”

“What?”

“Shirley does not set foot in this house as long as I am here.”



Hanging up the phone with a frown, Summer returned to the couch and plopped down next to Cameron. He quickly read her face and body language and shifted closer to her. His arm slipped around her shoulders and he squeezed her slightly. She attempted to force a smile but he saw right through it. Without pause, he kissed the top of her head.

She sighed, “He still isn’t answering.”

“Well he must be out doing something,” Cameron responded.

“All day?”

He shrugged.

“I don’t like this, Cam.”

He smiled at her sudden use of a nickname, “I like that.”

Her confused blue eyes turned to his, “What?”

“You just called me ‘Cam’,” he pointed out with a smile.

“I did?”

“Heh, yeah.”

“Well… good,” she smirked.

He reached up and tucked hair behind her ear, “Let’s do something different for dinner.”

“Like what?”

“Well… we’ve had pizza and lots of hot dogs. We can either go out some place nice or have take out.”


“I don’t want to leave in case Jimmy calls.”

“Of course,” he nodded. “I’ll go call for food.”

Brushing his lips across her forehead again, Cameron stood and headed to the phone. He pulled out the phone book and flipped through the pages. Selecting a restaurant, he quickly dialed and placed an order, glancing over at the blond girl. She had picked up the book they had been working on and opened back to where they stopped. His eyes could just barely see her lips moving as she sounded out words. It made him smile slightly.

Heading back to the couch, he leaned over the back and waited for her to acknowledge him. With her finger under a word, Summer looked up. Unable to resist, Cameron kissed her quickly before stepping away and grabbing a bottle of Coke from the fridge. Leaving the cap on the counter, he sat back down next to her and offered her the first drink.

“Food will be here in about thirty minutes,” he declared.

Summer sucked on the bottle for a moment before handing it back, “That should be enough time to finish the chapter.” 

He smiled, “You’re doing really well.”

“Yeah?” her eyes brightened.

“Absolutely,” Cameron nodded. “We might have to go and get more books soon.”

She grinned, “You think so?”

“You are so cute,” he stated softly.

A soft flush filled her cheeks and her eyes dropped, breaking eye contact. He set the bottle down and shifted closer to her. His fingers reached for hers, drawing her eyes back up to his. His other hand reached up and touched her cheek softly, drawing another rose glow to her flesh.

“Summer…”

The phone ringing instantly killed any connection they had. The young woman instantly jumped up, her book crashing to the floor. Midway through the second ring, she snatched the phone up and softly muttered a hello.

“Princess?”

A relieved smile filled her face, “Jimmy.”

Cameron shifted uncomfortably on the couch and reached for the Coke bottle. He chugged half the soda before setting it back down. His fingers reached for her discarded book, trying to not listen in on her conversation with Jimmy.

“I miss you,” she stated softly. “I really miss you, Jimmy.”

“I miss you, too, Summer. Have you been keeping occupied?”

“Oh yes. Cameron and I have been having a good time,” she responded.

“I see.”

“You must have been busy too. I’ve been calling all day.”

Jimmy paused, “What number have you been calling?””

Looking around for the note, she read off the number.

“Oh, Princess. That’s not the right number.”

Her eyes widened, glancing over at Cameron to confirm the numbers she read off, “It’s not right?”

Cameron quickly got to his feet and glanced over the note, “You told him right.”

“Oh sweetheart. I am sorry you did not have the right number. But now it does not matter. We have all the time in the world now.”

“Well… not exactly,” Summer responded.

“No? Why not?”

“It’s about dinnertime, Jimmy.”

“Oh yes, of course. How are you… feeling?”

“Well… I’m hardly sick the past couple of days, so that’s good. And Cameron has been happy to fill my odd cravings,” she smiled at the boy.

“I see.”

“He’s really amazing,” her eyes locked with his, causing him to flush.

“I bet.”

“What have you been up to, Jimmy?”

“Pushing a baby doll buggy in the park.”

“What?” she asked incredulously.

“I spent the day with my daughter.”

She instantly smiled, “Really?”

“Indeed.”

“That’s really–”

A knock at the door interrupted her words, making her dog instantly begin to yap. Cameron headed to answer the knock and quiet the dog. Eyes brightening as he led the takeout delivery boy into the penthouse suite, Summer struggled to focus on the telephone conversation.

“Summer, princess? Are you okay?”

“Oh yes, Jimmy. Food has just arrived. Can I call you back?”

“Did you write down the right number?”

“Yes, of course, I did.”

“Then I will await your call. Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you. Have a good night, love.”

“I love you, princess.”

“I love you too. Bye, Jimmy.”

She dropped the phone on the base and skipped over to Cameron. Ignoring the empty chair next to him, she plopped down in his lap. He chuckled and shifted back in the chair, making more room in his lap for her.

“What is this, Cam?” her eyes glanced over the takeout containers.

“Well,” he leaned forward awkwardly to open the nearest container, “this one is fried rice.”

“Fried rice?” her eyes met his.

“And I got wonton soup, sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken,” he stated.

She leaned towards the table and glanced in the boxes, “What kind of food is this, Cameron?”

Cautiously responding, he said, “Chinese.”

“Ooooh, okay. I wanna try it all,” she declared.

“Chopsticks?”

Summer turned back to face him, “What’s that?”

“Oh sweet girl,” he smiled crookedly, “so much more to teach you. So much.”

Remaining in Cameron’s lap through the meal, Summer struggled to eat with the chopsticks. Both eventually abandoned them for plastic cutlery, but with smiles on their faces. Summer disappeared into the bathroom, while Cameron cleaned up, leaving the two fortune cookies on the breakfast table. Returning to the room a minute later, Summer picked up one of the cookies and looked it over.

Stepping up behind her, his lips near her ear, “Break it open. There’s a fortune inside.”

Snapping the cookie in half, she squealed as it shattered. A small white slip of paper fell to the ground. Aware Cameron was very close to her, she bent over and pressed her butt back against him as she picked up the dropped fortune. He gasped, wanting to take a step backwards as she pushed against him, but managed to maintain his composure.

“What does it… say?” he asked as she stood back up.

She turned it over, “I can’t read it.”

“Yes, you can.”

“Cameron, I can’t read,” she argued.

“Yes, you can.”

Her eyes focused on it, “To…to…night you w-will be b…blin…ded by p…pass…ion.”

Cameron closed his eyes and repeated softly, “Tonight you will be blinded by passion.”

Summer turned around and placed her hands on his chest, “Are fortunes real, Cameron?”

“Summer…”

“Are they?”

He reached up and cupped her face with both hands. Eyes holding hers, he leaned forward, but stopped before touching his mouth to hers. Her lips parted in anticipation, her heart pounding.

“Cameron…” she breathed.

“I should open my cookie too,” he quickly pulled away and reached for the other cookie, squeezing it with one hand until it cracked.

Summer pressed on her toes, trying to see over his shoulder to glance at his fortune, “What does it say?”

Spinning back around, Cameron pulled her close to him and quickly kissed her. She gasped but instantly molded into the kiss. His hands pressed against her back, making her small breasts flatten against his chest.

A small slip of paper fell to the floor. Light purple words reading “Don’t just think, act!” turned face up as the fortune hit the plush carpet. However, neither teen noticed or cared. At all.