“Oh...hi, Remi. I got your gift and I thought I should call you and thank you.” She paused and he could tell she was nervous. “They are still my favorite snack... I—I want to say that, while I wish I could join you for dinner, I can’t. I have an engagement in the city and won’t be back in time.” She rushed through the words and it gave Remi the slightest bit of satisfaction that she was uncomfortable turning him down.
Maybe the kiss hadn’t been a total mistake.
“No problem at all,” Remi said stopping her from continuing to let him down. “May I ask what type of engagement? I thought your trip to town was unexpected.”
He knew he was fishing and that she had every right to tell him to mind his own business, but he wasn’t ready to get off the phone and he did have a genuine interest in where Camille would be. He expected her to avoid the subject but instead she said, “I have a friend flying to the West Coast and she has a layover in the city. I told her I’d meet her for an early dinner.”
Camille hated lying. He knew that about her and she was definitely lying.
“Oh, really. Where do you plan to take her? Maybe I could make some suggestions.” He tried not to sound disappointed over being lied to.
She hesitated for a moment and then told him that she was open to suggestions. She listened intently, but something inside him told him she wasn’t taking any of it in. She thanked him again and promised to call and reschedule, but as he hung up he knew he wouldn’t hold his breath.
* * *
Camille wasn’t sure why she felt so bad about having to let down Remi, but she did. She’d felt so bad about lying to him that she’d wanted to tell him exactly what she was going into the city to do. If anyone would be proud of her, Remi would. He’d probably go out and buy all her books just to see if she based any of the characters on him. Then he’d find something in every one and insist he deserved some sort of royalty payment for being her inspiration. Jokingly, of course, but he’d definitely say it.
Camille blushed at the mere idea of Remi reading words she conjured from her thoughts. It was one thing for a stranger to read her books but it was another for someone close to read them. It would be like them seeing a different side of her—a side that may suggest she wasn’t as innocent as people imagined her to be.
Wasn’t that her dilemma? She was doing this thing that she was so proud of and she could only be proud of it in secret. She was afraid to reveal the truth because she didn’t want to hurt her family. She certainly didn’t want to bring any unwanted attention to her small hometown. Using this alias had protected everyone, although she could honestly say she sometimes wished she didn’t have to hide her identity. She wished she could tell everyone, especially Remi. She wished she could tell everyone that she’d only left to protect Krane Foods and Remi’s future, because ultimately, she could’ve dealt with the scrutiny if had been just her she had to think about.
Chapter 5
The next day went by quickly. Her father had made breakfast, despite the protests of the home health nurse, and they’d talked and caught up a little. He told her he would not be sitting in the house another whole day and that he’d politely told the nurse that day would be her last, despite the fact that she’d been ‘easy on the eyes’. Camille had wanted to object but had it on good authority from his doctor that he’d be fine on his own if he followed the rules given at the time of his discharge.
Before she knew it, she was pulling up to the restaurant where she was to meet the distributor. The valet took her keys and parked her car.
“Cami—I mean, Reese Elaine... There should be a party expecting me,” she said to the snobby host giving her the once-over. If he only knew who she was, he wouldn’t treat her that way. But she didn’t write for the fame and that was clear since she’d chosen to remain anonymous all these years.
She followed the wiry blond-headed fellow to a private lounge area. When she walked through the door, she was surprised to see several women there, all looking like Southern beauties with their big pageant hair and perfectly applied makeup. Setups like this made Camille go into author mode. These ladies would make great characters for a book. Maybe they could all be in love with the same guy...
“So good to finally meet you, Reese.” The woman who’d stepped forward took Camille’s hand in her own and held it for a moment and then let go. The gesture kept Camille’s thoughts from straying too far and being called by her father’s name made her wince a little. The few people who knew her as Reese Elaine also knew her as Camille Ryan so she never got to hear the pseudonym from their lips.
“Nice to meet you as well, Colette. You and your lovely daughters.” Camille had put the pieces together to this little carbon-copy celebration. These girls all looked so much alike that it was obvious they were all sisters. Hell, if she didn’t know they weren’t quintuplets, she would’ve thought that at first glance.
“I’ve read each and every one of your books. It would be an honor if you’d sign this for me.”
The woman turned and one of her daughters who stood silently behind her handed Colette an e-reader. The device, as well as a silver paint-pen, was put into her hands and she wrote the requested message on the back. After that, the evening became a little lighter. They all got to know each other and Camille realized that looks could be deceiving because these girls were a riot. They drank and laughed and they even tried to fix Camille up with their older brother who was a real-estate developer in town. She said she’d think about it, though she had no intention of getting anywhere near that. There was no way she could take this kind of attention on a regular basis. They asked her every question in the book and had even questioned her sexuality when she said she didn’t date very often. They joked and said she must be really free with her sexuality and Camille had to remember that the girls were basing her experience on what she wrote in her books. She assured them that each and every book was a product of her vivid imagination, which led to a discussion of potential ideas for future books.
After a brief private meeting with Colette they came to a tentative deal on distribution rights. Colette said she’d be having her team contact Reese’s publisher soon to hash out the details and then she left. Camille wanted to leave as well but the sisters begged her to stay. She agreed and they shoved a drink into her hand and moved their little party into the private bar area of the restaurant, saying Camille needed to have fun like her characters.
Camille decided to enjoy this one night. She was still on edge days after that kiss from Remi. Maybe a little attention was just what she needed that evening.
* * *
“Okay, you can’t keep turning down every man that approaches you, Reese,” Beth, the youngest sister, slurred.
“I’m not turning them down. I let two of them buy me a drink.”
“Come on, Reese, let me pick someone for you. I promise I have good taste.” Beth didn’t wait for Camille to respond. She hopped off her stool and worked her way through the semicrowded bar area. Camille figured the woman wouldn’t be back since the alcohol would probably hinder her mission. However, about twenty minutes later she got a tap on her shoulder and standing there with Beth was the last person she expected to see an hour away from their hometown.
“What are you doing here, Remington?”
“I’m beginning to think that’s your favorite question.”
“You two know each other?” The younger woman squealed. “Damn, I’m good! I have to go tell my sisters. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Remi never took his eyes off Camille. He stood there silently as if he knew something he shouldn’t. And when he spoke, she nearly had a heart attack because she knew she had some explaining to do.
“I talked to Charlie. He wouldn’t tell me much, but he did lead me to you, Ms. Reese Elaine. You didn’t have to keep it from me, Camille,” Remi said as he rea
ched for her hand.
Camille breathed in deeply. She knew the conversation that was coming would be a serious one and she was slightly disturbed that Charlie would reveal her secret.
* * *
It had taken some persuading and some begging but Charlie had ultimately given some information. The information hadn’t been much, only a name. But one simple search online, as well as a few purchases from the online book retailer, had been enough. The author’s bio, as scarce as it was, had let him know Camille Ryan and Reese Elaine were one and the same.
Remi’s visit to Charlie had been strategic, but had ended up feeling like one of his sessions with his pastor. He’d told her friend about his love and need for Camille and his desire to be with her forever now that he’d laid eyes on her again. He’d admitted to Charlie that it was expected of him to wed Sonya at some point and he probably would’ve eventually allowed his grandfather to talk him into it. However, fate had stepped in to stop the mistake he might have been forced to make.
Remi hated that it had taken a downturn in Reese’s health to get Camille back to town, but her arrival had come right at a time when Remi had been contemplating the next step in his future. He’d submitted his petition to run for mayor of Fairdell and it would be nice to have his personal life as well as his professional life in order. Knowing it would take more than just a heartfelt confession to win over the man, he’d appealed to Charlie’s’s emotional side. He’d told him about the snacks he’d sent to her grocer. He’d told Charlie about the yearly donations he’d sent to her school. He’d mentioned the gift he’d sent to her home and had been surprised that the man did not know about it yet.
That was when Charlie had started to look uncomfortable. “You’re sort of a stalker, you know that, Rem? Not very becoming of the business tycoon and potential future mayor, don’t you think?”
“How did you...?” Only a few people knew about Remi’s plans to run for mayor. It had made Remi realize how smart Charlie truly was and made him thankful Camille had the man on her side even though their friendship sometimes rubbed Remi the wrong way. “You know what...never mind. You’re avoiding what you know I came here for.”
Charlie had moved through his living room toward the fireplace. Sitting on the mantel had been a picture of Charlie and Camille. He’d picked up the picture and stared at it for a moment before putting it down. “What did you come here for, Rem? You’ve said a lot, but it really means nothing to me. I want to protect my friend. Your feelings are of no concern to me.”
Offended, Remi had said, “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I’m trying here, Charlie. I’m trying to make you see how I feel. I know I need your blessing to go forward with her, but I also know you know her secret—why she’s distancing herself from me. You can help me. I want to bring her back here. I want her here with me. I want—”
“What about what she wants?”
“I’m positive we want the same thing.”
“How? From one little kiss? A promise you made to each other as naive teenagers? I thought you were smarter than that. It takes a lot more—”
“Don’t you think I know that? It’s why I’m here! You know I hate this as much as you but we’re going to have to get along for her because I’m not backing off, Charlie.”
“Can I ask you something?”
This question had come out much calmer than any other statement he’d said all evening. Remi had felt calm, as well. Anger was not the way to go if he was going to get Charlie to tell him anything about Camille.
“Sure.”
“What the hell took you so long?”
Remi had let those words process, then immediately started chuckling. “You know what? I really don’t know. I thought I was giving her what she wanted.”
“This is Camille we’re talking about. She’d rather protect everyone else than do what she knows she truly wants.”
He’d suspected a deeper meaning there. Remi hadn’t been sure if Charlie realized he’d let that slip. “Who is she protecting, Charlie?” The pointed look Charlie had given him had made it obvious that Remi was the one Camille was protecting.
“I’m not going to give you more than I should, but I know she has some unresolved feelings for you. The truth will set her free in more ways than just getting closure with you.”
A name and a place written on a piece of paper had been what Charlie had given him.
After that, Charlie had drunk the rest of his liquor and had disappeared into another room, effectively dismissing Remi. Remi had sat there for a moment and then rushed out of the house. He’d raced home to his laptop and when he’d typed in the name Reese Elaine, he’d been surprised to see the magnitude of results. The one with the biggest number? Reese Elaine, author of women’s fiction. Number one seller of women’s erotic fiction, he’d had to correct himself after his research.
Camille was this anonymous, world-famous author. She’d become famous without ever having to make a public appearance and the literary world speculated that she could be so much more if she’d come forward and reveal herself.
This was why she’d left. She’d left to pursue this dream. But Charlie had said she was protecting him, as well. He’d sighed, knowing there was more to the story.
That woman. Camille Ryan. That beautiful, smart, selfless woman had sacrificed the future they’d planned so they could both have their dreams. Remi wasn’t an idiot. He knew where they lived and he knew how conservative the town was. On a Sunday, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone not attending church somewhere. Even Frederick Krane spent his Sundays in God’s house, which was saying a lot.
Then there was his responsibility to the company his grandfather had created. Krane Gourmet Snack Foods had been voted the most morally responsible company in the state and was top ten in the nation. And he had been slated to take the helm as president and CEO when his grandfather felt he had earned the position.
On top of Krane, there were Remi’s political aspirations. He’d always dreamed of coming back to Fairdell after college and one day being a leader in his community, so he could serve them and care for them as they had for him growing up.
Remi could understand why Camille would choose to flee. If she had told him she was going to leave so his future would be secure, he’d have stopped her. He’d have supported her dream, but he wouldn’t have let her give up their relationship, as well. He would’ve compromised and found a different way to achieve his dreams.
He would’ve resented her for her hand in that, eventually. And he would’ve lost her anyway.
Now, as he stood in front of her, he could see how much she still wanted to protect him. It made him angry that they couldn’t just be who they were and love each other without worrying what other people would think and say. He should be the one protecting Camille, not the other way around. And he’d do that. He’d stand by her and make her realize she had the support of her family and friends.
Remi led Camille to a table that he’d reserved inside the restaurant. They sat quietly for several moments, letting Camille get her thoughts together. It didn’t take long for her to confirm everything he had already figured out. He found out she’d been encouraged by her English teacher to apply for an internship in New York that would get her a scholarship at the end and get her work in front of an editor. She said she hadn’t been sure if she’d take it, but she’d known it was a sign—an opportunity. She knew she’d be blamed for leaving him. She’d be hated. But in the end they’d both be able to follow their dreams. She thought he’d get over it eventually and move on, but little did she know that had not happened.
And that was clearly evident when he couldn’t stop staring at the slick gloss that made her lips peel sexily apart each time they moved. It was only for the briefest of seconds, but it drew Remi’s eyes to her mouth as he listened to her proper tone that had lost most of its Southe
rn inflection. The dress she was wearing was very figure-flattering, and he was unable to take his eyes off her cleavage, so tastefully displayed. The neckline jutted straight down between her breasts and the fabric skimming the insides of those perfect mounds had to be held there by some sort of magic. He’d never seen her in anything like this and he wasn’t sure he liked it, at least not for anyone else but him.
At the end of her confession, he didn’t know whether he wanted to hold her, hate her or have her.
Camille suddenly stopped what she was going to say next and looked directly at him—something she hadn’t done during her ramble. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No reason. Please continue,” he tried to say in a way that didn’t arouse suspicion. He was sitting there thinking about her in ways he shouldn’t while she was trying to confide in him. He was being an ass.
Camille eyed Remi skeptically for a moment and then said, “I’m actually done.”
Good. Because he didn’t need to hear any more. He rose from his seat, and threw some bills on the table. He then grabbed her hand, leading her out of the restaurant with her smaller hand firmly tucked into his larger one.
Chapter 6
Remington led her out of the restaurant and she had to nearly run to keep up with his long strides, courtesy of him being a foot taller than her. She mumbled a hasty goodbye to two of the sisters she saw on her way out. They smiled widely, though she knew they had the wrong idea about what was going on. Remi probably wanted to get her alone to ream her for making choices that had decided the course of his entire life.
He handed the valet his ticket and still didn’t say a word as they waited for his car. She tried to mention that her car was there but he ignored her.
His face was unreadable and she didn’t know whether to be scared or turned on by his controlling behavior right now. She felt like a character in one of her books being ordered to the secret room for her punishment.
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