“Yeah, it was.” Vince walked over, taking her mouth in a long kiss. “You sure we have to go out?”
She laughed. “That was kind of the point of the trip.”
“Pity.” He took her hands and two stepped her around the room—it wasn’t a big space, so it didn’t take long. “I’d love to have you to myself all evening. But I can probably share you long enough to take care of business.”
She was out of breath when they came to a stop, though very little of it was from the exertion of the dance. “That’s good of you.”
“I know. I’m a real catch.”
She looked at his cocky grin and had to kiss him again. He was a catch, the kind of man any woman would be luck to call her own. She touched his freshly shaved cheek and pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth, a feeling of warmth building inside her every moment. This was love. Was it strong enough to last? She didn’t know.
He released her and tugged on his suit coat. “Do I pass muster?” He looked incredible in a suit, making Cami think she better keep him close so someone else didn’t try to snatch him up at the party.
“You look pretty wonderful too.” She leaned in, sniffed. “And you smell terrific.”
He took her hand. “Let’s go wow them.”
~*~
“Would you like something to drink?” Vince asked Cami when they’d been circulating for nearly an hour.
Cami smiled, already wishing the night would end. “Thanks. I’m parched. No more alcohol, though, I need to stay alert in this crowd.” She watched him go, then turned to track the prince of Denmark’s cousin, whom she’d seen only ten feet away a moment before. Instead, Trent moved to greet her. The low burn of nerves in her stomach grew worse. This wasn’t going to be pretty.
She couldn’t help but compare her ex to Vince, though she knew it was bad form. Trent’s unnatural tan, bleached blonde hair, and artificially whitened teeth seemed false to her now she’d been around a man like Vince who didn’t worry about making the proper impression every moment of the day.
“Hello, Camellia, you’ve met Trina, haven’t you?” Trent introduced the brunette on his arm.
“Of course, how are you doing, Trina? How’s your mother?” Cami was relieved Trent had moved on, but wondered if Trina realized what a jerk he was.
“She’s well. We’ve both been busy getting the hospital benefit up and running. It sounds as though you’ve had your hands full with the hotel opening.” Trina Sanders was a sweet girl with impeccable manners and a friendly attitude. Cami had always liked her. She also came from a very wealthy family, and would certainly have the cash to settle Trent’s debts. Word through the grapevine was the couple had been dating since early July. More than one guest had made sure to inform Cami of that fact since her arrival at the party.
“Yes, it’s been quite an undertaking, but exciting too, seeing it all come together. I know my father would have been so happy with how things are going. The party is less than three weeks away.” Cami put on a smile and pretended she hadn’t a care in the world about media problems.
“I know you’ve had some troubles. It’s a shame about the Denmark royals canceling. Maybe they’ll rebook after you’ve had time to establish yourself and prove you’re capable of managing such a huge endeavor. Right now you’re six untried women,” Trent’s words were cloying and patronizing.
Anger burned in her. “Hardly untried. We’ve each been working in our various departments for years, and we’ve found excellent employees to help carry the load. Our head of security is capable of handling any emergency, and Delphi has every angle of this release planned to the millisecond. We’re going to succeed not because we’re lucky, but because we’re very good at what we do.”
“Have you seen their work? Do you know these women will step up and do what needs to be done?” he asked. “Your father pulled them from who knows what jobs—”
It was all Cami could do to keep her voice level as the anger burned through her. “My father may have had ulterior motives for bringing us all on board with the hotel launch, but he wouldn’t have risked his resort’s best interest. My sisters are among the best in the business. I’ve seen them in action, I’ve seen them in difficulty and they’re more than up to the task.”
Miffed, Trent pushed in a different area. “And what about your lawn boy? I thought I saw him with you earlier.” He smiled maliciously.
The rage cooled to ice as Cami realized he was jealous. “My lawn boy has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University. He’s a successful businessman who employs nearly forty people, and his business is growing every year.”
Vince walked up behind Cami, slid his arm around her from the right, and offered her a glass of Perier—she’d decided one glass of champagne was her limit. “Here you are, honey.”
“Thanks.” She flashed him a smile, grateful for the interruption. “Vince Talmadge, I’d like you to meet Trina Sanders and Trent Doyle.”
The expression on Trent’s face turned slightly sour as he gave Vince the once over, but Trina met him with a pleasant smile and genuine interest.
“I can see what drew you to him, Cami—intelligent and handsome. Always a good combination. It’s good to meet you.” Trina took Vince’s hand in a warm shake, though not with the overt interest some of the female guests had shown. She was too classy to do that even if she had been interested.
“You flatter me,” Vince said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His expression became speculative as he turned it on Trent, who stared at him through narrowed eyes. “And you. Have you known Cami long?”
“A while.” Trent’s voice was infused with innuendo, and there was an edge of mean in his eyes. “So what do you think about the run of bad publicity she and her sisters have had?”
Vince shrugged, though Cami sensed him stiffen beside her. “Someone’s got a vindictive streak, but they’re an amazing group of women. I wouldn’t count them out—they’re going to blow everyone’s socks off. If you don’t have other plans, perhaps you should come to the grand opening gala. See for yourself.”
“I’ll make our reservation in the morning. I could use some mountain air,” Trina said, threading her hand around Trent’s elbow. “Can you arrange to come with me?” she asked him.
“Of course, sweetheart.” He put his hand over hers and smiled at her.
The thought of Trent at the hotel made Cami grit her teeth, but she forced a smile. “I’ll see you there. I have a few more people I need to speak with, if you don’t mind.”
Trina nodded. “Of course. I’m sure you have a lot to take care of while you’re in town.”
Cami said her goodbyes, and she and Vince walked away.
“That was interesting,” Vince muttered to her. “Is Trent an ex-boyfriend? He acted a little jealous.”
“Something like that.” They only made it a few steps before she spotted the prince’s cousin nearby and turned Vince in his direction. “I’ll explain later.”
“Ah, Miss DiCarlo,” the man said when he spotted her. “I’ve heard so many fascinating rumors about your hotel.” His eyes were warm and friendly.
“I’d hoped to speak to you about that, actually. Do you have a minute?”
He took her hand and bowed over it, kissing her knuckles. “For you, always.” He introduced himself to Vince, then suggested they find a quiet corner.
“I’d love to.” Cami took Vince’s hand and they followed in his wake.
~*~
Vince watched Cami move around her apartment after they left the party that night. She kicked off her shoes and dug through her bags, chattering about the people they’d met.
She was like a lick of flame in her dress, sultry and eye-catching without trying. She’d worked her way through the groupings of people, chatting, kissing cheeks, laughing off reports of ridiculous rumors. Even now she was wound up from the party, not appearing the least worn down from the long evening after the cross-country flight and shopping trip.
/> He worked in hard, physical labor all day and he was ready to drop. How had she done it?
Cami turned to him, holding something silky with a generous helping of lace the color of champagne. “As parties go, I think it went well. Don’t you agree?”
His heart twisted in his chest. She only planned on staying in Colorado for a year. She loved Chicago—she hadn’t even sold her condo. “Yeah. You were amazing.” How was he going to convince her to stay in Juniper Ridge when she had a vibrant social life here?
“You’re no slouch yourself. And, seriously, that suit is a killer on you.” She ran one hand down his lapel, making the worry and yearning twist together in his gut.
“Not half as killer as this dress is on you.” Vince was definitely curious about the bit of fabric she still held in one hand, but decided he had other priorities. He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close. She melted into his embrace and he felt home.
Chapter 32
The next morning Cami and Vince walked hand in hand past a row of shops on Michigan Avenue.
“Where are we going?” he asked. “You’ve been mulling something over all morning.”
When Cami had woken at two a.m. she’d replayed her conversation with Trent and came to a startling realization—she really did think her sisters were amazing. Well, Rosemary was seriously irritating, and Delphi stayed pretty aloof, but they were still incredible at their jobs. What was more, Cami liked the women and was starting to feel like maybe they would make the connections their father had wanted.
She gave Vince’s hand a squeeze and was glad he was there to talk to. “Ever since I found out about my sisters, I’ve been angry and kept myself apart from them. I didn’t want to get to know them, or like them. At best, I hoped we could stand to live together until the end of next August. Last night at the party, when I told Trent I would stand behind my sisters, I realized I meant it. We’ve pulled together, stepped up. They’re funny and always teasing each other about something. I never expected to feel close to them.”
His gaze caught hers and warmed her as they continued walking. “But now you do.”
“Not like I feel with Lana, but we’re getting there. Not only that, but after the way I’ve drawn back from them, I feel like I should do something—something to say yes, we’re sisters, we’re a unit, and of course, I thought I’d do it with jewelry.” Something tangible they could all wear the day of the hotel’s grand opening.
“Is someone on this street going to have six of something you can take home with you today?” He checked his watch. “We have to leave for the airport in a couple of hours.”
“I thought I might have something custom made, so it’s all about us. I’ll ask the designer what he thinks.” She caught the smile on Vince’s face. “What?”
He pulled her to a store doorway, out of the rushing crowd, and turned her into his arms. “I think you’re pretty great.”
She wound her arms around his neck and nibbled on his chin. “I think you’re pretty great, too.”
He caught her mouth in a quick kiss, then moved them back into the flow of foot traffic. “So where are we going?”
She pointed to a store with a familiar logo. “Tiffany’s—where else? There are lots of other stores around if you want to do some browsing of your own while I’m inside. I’ll probably be an hour or so.”
“I think I’ll do that.”
He squeezed her hand at the store entrance. “Call me if I’m not waiting inside when you finish.”
She pushed open the doors, anxious to see what she and the jeweler could whip up between them.
~*~
Cami was in a great mood when Vince brought her home that evening. She walked in carrying her small bag, while Vince muscled in her big suitcase—not that it was exactly strenuous for him to carry. “Hello, everyone! I’m home!” she called as they came in the door. Vince had tried to convince her to go to his place for the night, but she’d demurred, anxious to see her sisters again after her epiphany and knowing she needed a good night’s sleep before jumping back into work in the morning. He was a little too distracting sometimes.
“Only you would consider your arrival a reason for the whole house to celebrate,” Rosemary said, coming around the staircase to see her. Jonquil trailed behind.
“I have news. Who all is here?”
“Everyone,” Rosemary walked over and grabbed Cami’s left hand, flipping it over. She gave Cami a disdainful glance. “I thought you said you had news.” She shifted her gaze to Vince. “You had her alone in another city overnight and didn’t get anywhere after your talk earlier this week?”
Vince merely grinned, making Cami nervous. Because he was listening in, she didn’t have the guts to give the response she wanted to—that she was far too smart to become engaged to someone she’d only known for a couple months, no matter how she might feel about him—so she settled on rolling her eyes. “Get a grip.” She looked at Jonquil. “You have a big mouth, you know that?”
“I’m biding my time,” Vince said. “She’s not ready yet.”
“Hello? News, remember?” Cami said as she set down her packages. She shot a look at Rosemary. “After that crack, you don’t deserve to see the new T-strap pumps I bought, or these gorgeous boots.”
“Boots? You can’t say something like that and not share.” Rosemary crossed her arms over her chest.
Cami glanced at Vince. “It’s a girl thing.”
He shook his head as if still clueless about the fetish.
Lana came to the top of the stairs and headed their way. “Did I hear the words new boots? And what news? Go sit down.”
Cami found the rest of her sisters, along with Blake and Joel, sitting in the great room. So it really was nearly everyone.
“Is this a business meeting I shouldn’t attend?” Vince asked.
“Join us,” Blake said. “I’d rather have you in on the conversation this time.”
Vince grinned and grabbed the loveseat, pulling Cami down beside him. She squealed slightly, but settled in. “I appreciate that,” he said to Blake.
When everyone was finally seated, Cami started. “So the party last night, while mostly boring and obnoxious, did yield some good results, I think. I spoke with the prince’s cousin and he said he would pass along the good word.”
“We already received confirmation that the prince’s representative is going to be here for the gala,” Lana confirmed. “It came a few hours ago.”
“Beautiful!” Cami was glad to have good results from the hellish night of socializing.
“I understand you had words with Trent last night,” Lana said.
Huh? How did she know? “Yeah. He was being petty, but I think I came out ahead, so we’re good.”
“You told him you were proud of your sisters and backed us all the way,” Jonquil said. “I didn’t know you felt that way.” Her voice was soft, filled with pleased surprise.
“You heard that?” A few months ago Cami would have sworn this place was like the bottom of a hole, and yet gossip still managed to travel fast.
“There was an interesting article in the news today recapping the conversation you had with Trent, speculating about your former relationship with him,” Blake said.
“You didn’t send me a link?” Cami asked, feeling a little let down that everyone basically knew everything she had to say and also worried about what was in the article.
“I wanted to talk to you first. I’ll send it over tonight.”
“Anything else?” Delphi asked. “Because I need to go next while we’re all sitting here.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s it.” Cami tried to ignore her feelings of disappointment.
Delphi met her eye. “We wanted you to know most of us have invited our parents to the opening party. I know you’re still struggling with what Dad did, and we don’t blame you, but we thought we ought to give you time to adjust to the idea of them being here.” She added Lana in her gaze.
As Cami loo
ked around at the others, she could see they were all a bit anxious about her response. “I guess this is a night for non-revelatory revelations.” She let her mouth quirk. “I already knew.”
“Me too,” Lana added. “Cami told me a while ago.”
“I’ve studied the guest list several times, checking to see who was coming. I know I’ve been pretty standoffish, but I’ll be happy to welcome them here and treat them with the respect they deserve as your parents.” It was hard to hold back the unhappiness she felt as she spoke, but Cami took a moment to look around the circle, catching everyone’s gaze. “You should all be proud of what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re making of this hotel. Your parents should share in it, so I’m glad they’re coming.”
It cost Cami to say the words, and she knew it would take her a while to completely push her bitterness to the background, but she was glad their parents would be able to come. For herself, she felt a strange mixture of relief and regret that her mother was dead and couldn’t be there. It would have been great to have her present, to feel the pride her mother always took in her daughters’ accomplishments. On the other hand, there would have been pain too, as her mother saw the other women and knew the other four sisters existed because her husband had cheated.
Which still begged the question of whether her mother knew about the other sisters, or about her husband’s many affairs.
“Well, that simplifies things,” Delphi said.
“Anything else?”
When no one else spoke up, Vince broke the silence. “Great. I better get home, then.” He stood, pulling Cami to her feet. “Walk me to the door?”
“She gets all the lip locks,” Rosemary complained as they walked away. “It’s so not fair.”
“Don’t take too long,” Lana called out. “I want to see those pumps.”
Cami laughed, feeling for the first time in months like she really belonged.
Chapter 33
A headache pounded behind Cami’s left eye as she looked at her overflowing inbox. She hadn’t checked her email in almost twenty-four hours, but hadn’t expected such an influx. She scanned the messages for anything pressing and her eyes caught one from Liesel Gentry from the transplant database.
A Perfect Fit Page 18