Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) by Jackie Wang Page A

can go ahead. I can hang out on the side. I
brought a book,” I said.
    “There's probably a gift shop here,” Cameron said. “You could
buy a suit.”
    “Yeah, that's true. I'll take a look.” My stomach rumbled.
“Speaking of lunch, when and where? I'm starving.”
    All seven of us decided to have lunch at the hotel restaurant since
it was the most convenient.
    Over lunch, I got to know the other girls a bit better. Terri worked
as a registered massage therapist, and Rose was actually a bit of a
celebrity: she produced CBT's latest hit show: The O'Connells.
Compared to them, I felt severely unaccomplished, and that made my
self-esteem plummet. Sure, they were older than me, but I doubted I'd
be even half as successful by the time I hit thirty. When I told them
I was studying to be a fashion designer, they seemed mildly
interested but didn't dwell on the subject.
    I was famished by the time my club sandwich came around but
disappointed to find out that it was a soggy mess. A puddle of liquid
sat at the bottom of the plate and I quickly lost my appetite.
Luckily, Cam offered to share his ribs (which were only slightly
better but not by much).
    After lunch (Cameron paid for me again, against my wishes), I decided
to browse the souvenir shop with Cameron. Sure enough, on the far
wall, there hung a rack of vibrant-colored women's swimwear. The
colors ranged from stripes and polka dots to psychedelic tie-dye. I
finally settled on a conservative black bikini set with little white
hearts on it. Unfortunately, the store owner informed me that the
only sizes left were small and extra-large. I was a medium, and since
I didn't feel like accidentally exposing myself in public, I decided
to purchase a size small.
    I quickly realized the error of my ways when I popped out of the pool
changing room an hour later with my boobs practically spilling out of
my bikini top. The bottoms weren't much better—they were skin tight
and for a few horrendous seconds, I wondered if it would show too
much camel-toe or ass crack.
    But no one commented on my swimsuit when I joined them at the pool.
Everyone was chatting about a new TV show and some celebrity
appearance. None of them even noticed me joining them. Except Asher.
    He looked sullen and pale, and I could've sworn I saw a vein
throbbing along his temple.
    I waded into the cool water and snuck up behind Cameron. Would he
think I looked too slutty? I already thought I looked too slutty.
    When Cameron turned around and saw me, that heated look in his eyes
made me want to run straight back into the changing rooms and cover
up.
    “Sierra...” Cameron said, voice low and husky. “You look...”
    “Slutty?” I whispered.
    “I was going to say 'lovely',” Cameron said.
    “They didn't have my size so I had to go one size down,” I
explained.
    Terri spoke up to diffuse the tension. “You're giving Cam a boner,”
she pointed out.
    I didn't know how to answer that so I didn't say anything. But I did
catch a glimpse of Asher. His face was white, his lips almost blue,
and he looked pissed as hell. What had gotten into him?
    Before I could think too much about it, Cameron splashed me with a
faceful of water. My hair was soaked and stuck down my back. My eyes
stung, and I tasted chlorine in the back of my throat. I had to
retaliate so I swam after him. “Get back here, you jerk!”
    When I got closer, I dove underwater and tried to grab him by the
ankles, but he was faster. He snatched me up by the waist and tickled
me until I couldn't breathe. His scruffy jaw rubbed up against my
shoulders, and I could feel something hard pressed up against my
back.
    No way.
    Was that his—
    I turned around to beg for mercy and caught Cameron studying me.
“Truce?” I squeaked out.
    “Only if you give me a kiss,” he said in a low growl. He tapped
his lips with his index finger and puckered up.
    Everyone else was staring at us. Including Asher.
    I wanted to make Asher see red and green at the same