by Chloe Lang
“I’d have to change clothes four and five times a day to get through all these clothes in a year.” Izzy sighed. “I need to have another talk with Clay and Jay.”
“I don’t think that will stop them from showering you with presents. They love you so much.” She liked the look of the outfit—classy but comfortable. “This reminds me of the old days when the three of us wore each other’s clothes.”
“While you’re figuring out which outfit will work for Cami, I’ll put on a pot of coffee to go with our leftover desserts.” Toni gathered up their to-go boxes.
“That sounds great,” Izzy said. “You know where everything is in my kitchen. Knock yourself out. We’ll be finished shortly.”
Toni left the room.
Cami looked at the tag on the jeans. “Size four? You just had twins, Izzy, and it’s obvious you already can fit in these. I’m not sure I can.”
“I know better than that. As far back as I can remember, you were between a two and a four.”
“Yes, but I’ve never had twins.” She slipped on Izzy’s jeans, which fit her perfectly. “How in the world did you do it?”
“It wasn’t easy, but I hit our gym every morning. I love the trainer Jay and Clay got for me. She’s mean as they come, but she got the job done.”
Cami put on the red top.
“Oh, Cami. You look beautiful.”
She turned and looked at her reflection in one of the full-length mirrors in Izzy’s closet. “I like this. Thanks, Izzy.”
“It belongs to you now.”
“I just couldn’t. These are four-hundred-dollar jeans.”
Izzy grabbed her hands and squeezed. “Please. Just do me a favor, Cami. Don’t make me beg.”
“Coffee is ready,” Toni yelled from the kitchen.
“Good,” Cami said. “Let’s go enjoy our cake before I grow out of these jeans.”
They walked into the kitchen, which was filled with the delicious aroma of coffee.
“You look gorgeous, Cami.” Toni had set the breakfast table with their desserts.
“Thank you. Department Store Izzy is the place to shop.”
They all laughed and sat down.
She took a bite of the sweet cake and images of Roberto and Miguel kissing her hand flooded her thoughts. Was I crazy to say yes? Another bite. They are so handsome and charming. Another bite. But what if I’m wrong, what if they’re like…like Hank?
“Attention,” Izzy said. “All officers be on the lookout for a forty-two-year-old beauty, Camille Anderson. She has been missing for at least one minute.”
“One minute?” Toni didn’t seem convinced. “At least five.”
Their teasing pulled her back to the here and now. “You can call off the search,” she said. “I’m back.”
“Are you?” Toni asked. “Are you really?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I bet you took a trip back to the restaurant to see those two good-looking chefs, right?”
“Seriously, you two. They are very handsome, and they are very nice, and they are very smart, but—”
“They seem perfect for you,” Toni said. “Handsome. Nice. Smart.”
“But don’t you think I’m too old for them, really?”
“We’ve been over that already, Cami,” Izzy said. “No, I don’t think you are too old for the Sanchez brothers and neither does Toni.”
Toni nodded. “Preach it, sister. And obviously those two hunks don’t think you’re too old for them. They did ask you out, after all, Cami.”
Izzy’s tone softened, and her eyes locked on Cami’s. “And more importantly, you don’t think you’re too old for them either. That’s the truth, even if you’re not ready to admit it.”
“This is about Hank, isn’t it?” Toni reached over and took Cami’s hand. “Not about your age, right?”
“No one knows me better than the both of you. I’ve been to counseling, I’ve talked with you two, I’ve read books, but still I keep reliving what happened in my mind. Yes, Roberto and Miguel asked me out, and I accepted, but now I’m wondering if I should call them and cancel.”
“Don’t you dare,” Toni said firmly.
“But I don’t think I should burden anyone else with my problem.”
“There’s only one way for you to get over this.” Izzy was infamous for not beating around the bush. “And that’s to start dating again. You deserve happiness.”
“I am happy, relatively speaking.”
“Relatively speaking? What a crock of you-know-what.” Toni was even more infamous for speaking her mind. “We all know you want to get married one day and have kids. Guess what? If you don’t start dating, you can kiss that dream good-bye. You are not going to let what happened with Hank ruin the rest of your life. That would mean he still has control over you. Don’t let him, Cami.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“Well, you should,” Toni said. “You are going on that date. You are going to have a good time. No arguments.”
“Okay. I’ll go out with them, but it’s just a date. A first date.” She took a sip of coffee. “I need your help. It’s been so long since I’ve gone out with a man, and never with two at the same time.”
Izzy jumped up. “I know just what we need to do to help you with that.”
“You do?” she and Toni asked together.
Izzy nodded. “Tomorrow, we are all going to the Waterfall Salon and Spa, but for now, let’s go to Izzy’s Department Store Closet and pick the perfect outfit for you to wear on your date.”
Toni got up on her feet. “Now that’s a great idea.”
“I love you both so very much.” Cami stood. “Let’s go shopping in your closet.”
Chapter Five
Cami held up the outfit that she, Izzy, and Toni had chosen for her date. It was a beautiful black cocktail dress that highlighted her figure perfectly. Peanut, her toy dachshund, stared up at her with big brown eyes.
“Do you think Roberto and Miguel will like this?”
Peanut wagged his tail.
She smiled and patted him on the head. “You’ve always been the one man in my life I can count on.”
Her cell rang.
She’d left it in her purse, which she’d placed on the bed. It rang again. Izzy had told her and Toni that she would call with the details about their day of beauty tomorrow once the appointment was made.
Sitting on the bed, she pulled her cell out of her purse. “Hi.”
A scary, computerized voice yelled. “You fucking slut. Who do you think you are? Better mind your own business or you will be sorry.”
The line went dead.
Shaking, she looked at her screen and saw the words “Unknown Caller.”
Peanut jumped on the bed next to her. Holding him close, she closed her eyes as memories flooded in. Hank had been the only person to ever call her slut, and a whole bunch of other horrible things. She reminded herself that the voice hadn’t sounded like Hank, but it had been masked. What if he was the caller? That wasn’t possible. He was in prison.
Her cell rang, vibrating in her hand. “Just leave me alone. You’ve got the wrong person.”
“Cami? It’s Izzy. Are you okay?”
“Thank God, it’s you.” She felt her shoulders relax as Peanut snuggled in close to her.
“What happened?”
“I got a prank call and thought they were calling me back.” She sat down on her bed and told Izzy what they said.
“Did you recognize the voice?”
“No. Whoever it was had their voice distorted. It sounded like something out of a horror movie to me.”
“Do you want me to come over and spend the night? I bet Toni would come, too. We could make it a sleepover and then go to our spa date in the morning together.”
She was glad to have such good friends. “No I’m fine. Besides, your husbands and the twins might need you more than I do. Really, it’s okay. I’ll just be sure to not pick up any numbers that come
across as unknown.” Hank’s twisted face that awful night floated in her mind.
“Cami, I’m sure it’s just some prankster dialing random numbers, but be sure to keep your door locked.”
“I always do.” Wanting to get her mind off the call, she said, “I love the outfit so much.”
“You’re going to knock the socks off those Sanchez brothers. Can you be ready by ten o’clock tomorrow? We’re all set at Waterfall Salon and Spa. Enrique is going to do your hair and makeup.”
“Oh my gosh, you can’t be serious. I saw him on television the other day taking about doing some of the biggest celebrities’ hair and makeup. That Enrique.”
“The one and only. He’s yours, mine, and Toni’s tomorrow. We’re going to look like celebrities ourselves.”
“I can’t believe this, Izzy. This is too much, but I wish I could see Clay and Jay’s faces when you walk in after our spa day.”
“Same for me. What I would give to see Roberto and Miguel when they pick you up for your date.”
Her jitters returned, just talking about the date. She needed to think about something else. “What about Toni? Who’s going to appreciate her spa day but her?”
“I’m working on that, too, Cami, with Clay and Jay’s help.”
“The Kavanaghs, right.” She laughed. “That’s your plan.”
“Of course that’s my plan. Have you seen how those three act whenever they are in the same room? They just need a little push in the right direction, just like you needed.”
“So? How’s the master matchmaker going to get Toni and them together?”
“The Kavanaghs are coming to the penthouse for a meeting with my guys. I was thinking cocktails for me and Toni at the same time.”
“And same place, right?”
“Now who is talking like a matchmaker?”
She laughed. “Both of us, Izzy. It’s easier thinking about trying to set up Toni than about me going on a date with Roberto and Miguel.”
“Honey, it’s going to be wonderful. You’ll see. It’s just one date.”
“I know, but with my track record, I’m really nervous.”
“You really don’t have a track record, Cami. You haven’t been on a date in years. Besides, our spa day is going to help you relax.”
“I love you, Izzy.”
“I love you, too. See you in the morning.”
“I’ll be ready.” As ready as I can be. After they said their good-byes, Cami scrolled down the recent calls and stopped on the one from the prank caller. “Who are you, Unknown? You’re not Hank, are you?”
Peanut jumped in her lap and began licking her hand.
“I bet you’re hungry.” Glad for the distraction, she walked into the kitchen with her brown bundle of joy at her feet.
Chapter Six
Miguel reached for the limo’s silver ice bucket to take a look at his reflection. “My hair seems a little out of place to me. Do I look okay?”
His brother Roberto sighed. “Oh my God, you look fine. Stop messing with your hair. Let me pour us both a drink. Maybe that will help you relax.”
“I just want to be perfect for Camille.” He had never been this excited about going on a date before.
“You don’t have anything to worry about, hermano.” Roberto handed him a glass of scotch neat. “Camille saw us in our chef attire and you look a helluva lot better in that suit than you did then. We both do.”
Their driver turned the limo onto Camille’s street. Her home was located in the much sought after M Streets neighborhood.
Miguel took a sip of his drink. The warmth slid down his throat as he looked out the window at the tree-lined street of small Tudor homes with well-manicured front lawns.
The limo came to a stop in front of her home.
Miguel smiled, impressed by the curb appeal she’d created for her house. It reminded him of a cottage that was very welcoming to visitors. The sidewalk up to her porch was lined with spring flowers in a variety of bright colors. Not surprising to him. The warmth and brightness was so like her.
He and Roberto got out of the limo and walked up to the red front door.
“Here we go, hermano,” Roberto said and then rang her doorbell.
They heard barking inside.
“She has a dog,” Roberto said with a smile.
“It sounds like she does.” Miguel and his brother were alike in their love of animals. They had two dogs of their own, Zeus and Apollo, black Great Danes.
Knowing Camille had a pet added to Miguel’s admiration of her.
The door opened and an image of utter beauty appeared. Camille wore a strapless black cocktail dress with her red locks cascading over her delicate shoulders.
“Hi.” A tiny dog shot out from behind her to Miguel and Roberto. “Peanut, come here.” But the dachshund didn’t, remaining at their feet, wagging his tail. He and Roberto bent down and patted him.
“What a friendly little dog.” Getting lost in Camille’s blue eyes, Miguel said, “Quite the welcome wagon you’ve got here.”
“This time.” She looked a bit confused. “He’s usually not so friendly with strangers.”
Roberto picked the dog up in his arms. “Peanut’s got good taste, Camille. How couldn’t he, with an owner like you? My God, look at you. You’re gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Thank you. So are you and Miguel. Let me take Peanut from you and get him put to bed.”
Roberto handed the dog to her.
She held the little canine with loving arms. “Come on inside, guys. I’ll just be a second.”
As she took Peanut down the hallway, Miguel turned to Roberto and in a low tone said, “Wow, Roberto. Aren’t we two of the luckiest men in Dallas? Look who we’re going out with tonight.”
“Very lucky. She is absolutely stunning and so very sweet.”
“She’s everything a man could ever want. Just look at this place. Perfect, like her.” He scanned the room, which was decorated in shades of gray with highlights of red. “She must like red, so I’m sure she’ll like where we’re taking her to dinner.”
“Where are you taking me to dinner?” she asked, returning to the room.
“La Chambre Rouge,” Miguel and Roberto said together.
She grinned. “I simply love their food.”
“Have you met Pierre, Camille?” Miguel asked.
“Pierre Leblanc, the owner? No, I’ve never had the pleasure, but I have three of his cookbooks.”
“He’ll be very pleased to hear that,” Roberto said. “How many of our cookbooks do you have?”
“I have ever single one you’ve ever written.” She laughed. “In total, that means one. Exotic Spanish Cuisine.”
“Camille called your bluff, hermano, didn’t she?”
“You think so?” Roberto got a devilish look on his face. “What recipe of ours have you tried, Camille?”
“Chicken Costa Brava, but it was terrible. I really need some professional help in the kitchen, Roberto. Do you think you might give me some tips?” She turned away from Roberto to Miguel and sent a secretive wink.
Miguel nodded. “Better wave the white flag, hermano.”
“White flag? I get to show her some tips on cooking, which means I get to spend more time with her.” Roberto put his arm around her. “That was a win for me, Miguel.”
Miguel smiled. “You’re not spending more time with her without me.”
“Señores, por favor. I’m getting hungry.”
As they walked out the door to the limo, Miguel continued teasing Roberto. “Besides, between the two of us, I make the best Chicken Costa Brava.”
“There’s only one way to be sure,” Roberto said. “We’ll have a cook-off and Camille will be the judge.”
“Are you two always this competitive?” she asked, grinning.
“Just since we met you, Camille,” he answered. “For you, we want to give you our best.”
The limo driver opened the car door for them.
“How a
re we doing so far?”
“I’m really enjoying myself and we haven’t even left yet.” She slid inside the limo. “So I’d have to say that you’re both doing fantastic.”
Roberto climbed in, sitting on one side of her. He took her hand and kissed it. “That pleases my brother and me more than you can imagine.”
Miguel moved to the other side of Camille and took her other hand. “And the evening has only just begun.” He pressed his lips against the back of her soft hand.
Seeing Roberto glance at his own reflection in the ice bucket, just as he had done earlier, made him grin. They both wanted the same thing, to give Camille the best night of her life, and that was exactly what he meant to do.
Chapter Seven
Sitting between the two gorgeous men, Cami’s once-cold hands felt warm and toasty from their kisses. She couldn’t remember when she’d been so excited about going on a date. Roberto and Miguel had already helped her relax with their banter, and their compliments convinced her that she was pretty. Thank you, Enrique. You’re a genius. She already knew the night with the Sanchez brothers was going to be incredible.
“Would you like something to drink?” Miguel asked her. “The limo has a stocked bar.”
“A glass of white wine would be nice.”
“Coming right up.” He poured wine into a stemmed crystal glass and handed it to her.
She took a sip. “Delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her cell rang. “Do you mind if I take this? It might be my assistant.”
“Of course,” Roberto said. “Take your call.”
He and Miguel were not only charming, good-looking, and fun, but they were also incredibly understanding. She brought out her cell from her clutch. The word on the screen disturbed her. “Unknown.”
“Is everything okay, Camille?” Miguel squeezed her hand gently.
“Yes. Not my assistant. It can go to voicemail.” She put the cell back in her purse. Her heart was racing. Who keeps calling me? She took another sip of wine. I can’t let a prank caller destroy my evening.