Love Burnt Baby Stayed (by Nina R.Calder) novel Chapter 285

It was like something just seemed to draw them together.

Shepard found himself moving toward her without even thinking.

Briana, almost without realizing it, started walking toward him as well.

Then, they embraced tightly.

Shepard pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“I feel so happy,” Briana whispered. “I’m seriously the luckiest person ever, right?”

“Nope,” Shepard replied.

“Huh?” Briana blinked, a little confused.

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Shepard murmured, “I’m actually the luckiest person ever. You’ll just have to settle for second place, at least for now.”

Briana finally realized what he meant. “Look at you. Getting all smooth with your words lately.”

“No, I really mean it. Every word comes from the heart,” Shepard replied.

They only had eyes for each other.

They’d completely forgotten about everyone else.

Olivia kept clicking away, snapping several more photos.

She carefully chose the angle for each shot.

“Let me see,” Camila said, leaning in curiously. “How many did you take? Let me have a look first.”

Olivia nodded. “Sure. And I didn’t just get Shepard and Briana. I took some of you, too.”

“Me?” Camila laughed. “I was just a prop in the background.”

“No way. Your smile was so bright. Just wait till you see the photos,” Olivia said.

Olivia scrolled through her phone.

Soon, Camila’s photo popped up on the screen.

“Whoa, really.” Camila’s eyes sparkled. “I never knew you were this good at taking pictures.”

Olivia grinned. “Actually, Charles is your real background. In every single photo of you, he’s always right there by your side.”

Camila’s smile grew even brighter. “I wouldn’t dare use Mr. Lane as my background.”

“Hey, what’s going on? Are you two gossiping about me?” Charles said.

Charles had sharp ears. He caught his name right away and quickly made his way over.

He fixed his gaze on Olivia. “Don’t slander me or make me look bad.”

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Chapter 285

Olivia’s sharp tongue was legendary.

Charles had learned that the hard way.

Joking around was one thing, but if Olivia started saying anything negative about him in front of Camila…

He’d have to bend over backwards just to fix his image in Camila’s eyes.

“I didn’t,” Olivia snorted. “If you’re really such a stand–up guy, why would you care what I say about you?”

“That’s why I called it slander,” Charles retorted.

Olivia just chuckled.

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Camila jumped in to play peacemaker. “Mr. Lane, Olivia took a ton of photos, and we’re just enjoying them one by one. You show up in many of them, and we’re just joking. Nothing serious.”

“Oh, really? How did you capture me?” Charles instantly forgot what they were talking about and focused on the photos. “Do I look handsome, tall and cool?”

Olivia just put her phone away.

“You think you can just check them whenever you want? Anyway, today’s real stars are Mr. Carter and Briana. Why are you so obsessed with looking good in the pictures?” Olivia teased.

“I’m just afraid you caught me looking bad,” Charles said.

“Come on. Handsome people never have bad photos. You’re photogenic from every angle,” Olivia replied.

Charles just rolled his eyes. “Real men don’t argue with women.”

“You’d better hurry up,” Olivia teased. “If you’ll still be single by the time Briana’s got her second kid, that’d be a real shame.”

Charles instinctively glanced at Camila.

Camila didn’t look away.

She met his gaze and gave him a gentle smile. “Mr. Lane, it’s time to step up your game.”

Charles rubbed his nose and shot back at Olivia, “I’m a guy. Age doesn’t really matter for us. But you? Looks like you’ve always been single.”

“I–I–I… Olivia stammered, totally flustered.

She was so stunned. Words completely escaped her.

Charles cleared his throat and teased, “Olivia, no offense, but most guys like girls who are gentle and sweet. If you don’t dial back that fiery attitude, you’ll never get married. Seriously, you’ll be single forever.”

“It’s none of your business,” Olivia shot back, lifting her chin defiantly. “If I ever get married, it’ll be to the man I love and trust the most. No compromises.”

Charles was about to say something, but Camila pulled him back with a quick nudge.

He immediately shut up.

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Chapter 285

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Camila smiled gently. “Olivia, just ignore Mr. Lane. He’s just clueless about girls like you. I totally get you. You’re amazing, and most guys just don’t see it.

“But you’ll find someone who’s totally into your vibe. For now, just keep being yourself and let destiny work its magic.”

Camila’s words made Olivia feel all warm inside.

Olivia looked at Camila and then at Charles, making a mental comparison.

She thought, ‘Charles totally doesn’t deserve Camila.’

“What are you guys talking about?” Briana said, seeing them all gathered and joining the fun. “Thanks so much for today. You all worked so hard. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime soon.”

Then she turned to Camila. “Check your schedule. You have to be there.”

“Me?” Camila pointed at herself. “Mrs. Carter, why do I have to join this dinner?”

“Come on. If Briana wants you there, just go,” Charles chimed in. “Don’t make it complicated. We’ll leave from the office together. It’s on the way, and we can just go as a group. Super convenient.”

‘But what if I have to stay late at work?” Camila asked.

Who says you have to work overtime? I’m your boss. If I say you’re off the clock, then you are,” Charles shot back.

Camila’s eyes crinkled with laughter.

Honestly, she was just a bystander today, someone who barely mattered in the grand scheme of things.

Everyone else there was part of Shepard and Briana’s inner circle, their nearest and dearest.

But instead of being sidelined or forgotten, she was welcomed with genuine warmth, and everyone made her feel truly ncluded.

‘Oh, look at you,” Briana teased. “Charles, when did you get so macho? Acting all alpha now, huh?”

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