“I don’t think she would. I’m just not sure she cares about marriage after what she went through losing her husband so tragically and so young.”
“You guys are past all that rubbish though, right?”
“We are, but it’s still there under the surface. I know she loves me, but it’s still pretty new. I just want to make her mine legally. She may have other opinions on that.” Collier grinned and winked.
“Whatever you decide, I’m here for you. Be happy to stand up alongside any pending nuptials.”
“Thanks, mate. Now, remember what I said about Cami. Be kind and gentle.”
I nodded as we walked towards the exit. “Kind and gentle…what the fuck does that even mean?”
“I don’t know. I read it off a Hallmark card once.”
Chapter 5
Pea soup. That’s what the thick, gelatinous, mush previously known as my brain felt like as I sat at my computer staring blankly at the white screen. I needed to type a few letters for Mr. Jensen, but all I could think about was last night. The nauseating experience of seeing Tyler, and allowing him to slide a crisp hundred dollar bill into my G-string still soured my gut even twelve hours later. Dodging my worst nightmare after he caught me on stage was an epic performance. One of my best.
Once I realized who he was, I instantly went into fight or flight mode. Like the perfect little birdie, I chose flight. Before his gaze ever touched mine, I pirouetted on one heel, did a perfect back hand-spring off the stage and out of sight. The men in the club had gone absolutely wild, the cheering and applauding at my exit was something I’d now be known for. When the husband and wife duo who owned the club found me backstage shaking like an eighty year old woman, they thought it was from the adrenaline and paid it no mind. Thank God for small favors. Last thing I wanted to do was explain. My goal, while the bosses spilled their excitement in a glorious rush of accolades and booze-breath, was to get the hell out of the club as fast as my spiked heels would take me.
A ping from my computer noted that I received an email and broke me from my reverie at the same time the door opened. A pair of scrawny legs, worn-out red Vans, and a giant bouquet of yellow sunflowers mixed with white daisies completely covered any view of the person delivering them.
“Delivery for Ms. Johnston,” a pubescent voice rang out behind the array of sunshine and happiness.
I stood and grabbed the mosaic vase made up of tiny multicolored squares in a myriad of pearlescent hues. “Thank you,” I said, setting down the flowers. They were quite possibly the most beautiful arrangement I had ever seen. The yellow sunflowers, my favorite, split open with a wide center that reminded me of a perfect sunny day. I couldn’t help smiling.
The young man’s eyes widened as he scanned my form. Then he quickly looked away from my chest, shuffled his feet, and presented me with a clipboard. I thanked him. He had a hat on backwards and his hair was sticking out in all directions beneath it. He couldn’t have been older than eighteen. This was probably his first job. I sympathized with the kid. At almost twenty three this was my first real job, aside from waiting tables or dancing on them.
“Thanks, uh, yeah…okay. Bye then.” His voice cracked as he made a quick exit.
I gave a small wave dismissing the nervous delivery boy and looked at the incredible display. These were for me? Had to be a mistake. I’d never been sent flowers before. I spotted the small green envelope and pulled the card from the luscious golden petals and thick leaves.
Camille,
These reminded me of you. As lovely and warm as the sun.
Have dinner with me.
Nate
I placed the little card back into the envelope and stuffed it into my purse as the phone rang.
“Jensen Construction, Cami speaking. How may I help you?”
“Go out with me,” a familiar voice pulsated through the receiver. A ridiculous wide smile split my face as I collapsed into my office chair.
“The flowers are beautiful. You didn’t have to do that.”
“How else was I going to get your attention?” I could hear his smile and his British accent made me salivate.
“Nate, you don’t even know me--”
“I want to know you better.” His voice a deep rumble that slid across my nerves making me tingle everywhere. “Have dinner with me. Tonight?”
I thought about my schedule this evening. Another night at the club, and then I was off for the week. Unless I was called in for a special booking. “I can’t. I have to work.”
“Hank doesn’t make you work that late.” A hint of frustration tinged his words.
“No, my other job.”
“Which is?”
“Look, Nate. I just…I can’t. I’m sorry.” I blew out a deep breath wanting to accept his invitation but knowing it wasn’t possible. Men like him shouldn’t date women like me. There was a natural order to things. When he found out that I was a single mother and stripped to make extra cash, he’d toss me aside like yesterday’s garbage.
“Camille…”
“Nate, thank you for the flowers and lunch yesterday. It was…the best date I’ve ever had.” The only date I’ve ever had. “I have to get back to work. Have a wonderful day. Goodbye.” I hung up so fast it was as if the receiver was coated in acid. Then I stared at it. Dared it to ring again.
While I stared waiting for it to strike back, a warm hand settled on my shoulder. I jumped up and screamed like a little girl. A much deeper girlie scream matched my own.
“Jesus, Cami! You almost sacred the gay right out of me!” Oliver held a hand to his chest. He stood back and leaned against the wall. His labored breathing matched my own. I laughed catching onto to what he’d said. Scare the gay right out of him?
“Ollie, honey, it’s not possible to scare the gay out of you.” I turned and found Aspen Jensen standing with her arms crossed above her baby bump. Her perfect suit and blouse accentuated her womanly glow. I didn’t remember ever looking so pretty while pregnant with Tanner. Most days, I barely rolled out of bed, threw my hair into a pony tail, and shoved my body into the pepto-pink waitress getup. This woman made being pregnant look like a Miss America pageant.
“Mrs. Jensen, Oliver, hello. How are you?” I settled back into my chair. The flowers stood like a huge banner display on the edge of my desk stating, “Someone likes me!” Oliver zeroed right in on them. Probably because they were the only thing remotely personal on top of the hard oak surface. It was easy to avoid personal questions if you didn’t display anything personal in your work space.
“Who sent the flowers?” Oliver touched the petals of a daisy. He looked around the bouquet obviously searching for the card I’d stashed at the bottom of my purse.
“A friend. What are you two doing here? Mr. Jensen is out for the afternoon.”
“Ollie, you said we had lunch today?” Aspen frowned, dug into her purse then pulled out her phone. Oliver’s eyes narrowed as he pulled out some electronic contraption from his breast coat pocket. It looked like a cross between an iPhone and an e-reader. I’d never used either. I couldn’t afford them. I had a pay as you go phone and only two people, Jin and the teenaged neighbor we hired to babysit, had the number. Oliver pressed a few buttons and concentrated on the glowing screen.
“I confirmed lunch with Hank on Monday evening.” Oliver validated his reply.
I waved a finger at him. “Ah, but you didn’t speak to me.” I checked Hank’s calendar just to be safe. “Mr. Jensen is not the best at inputting his personal appointments.” I glanced at Aspen and she nodded. “Usually, he tells me, and I make sure he doesn’t miss anything important. He’s currently at the city building getting permits approved. He won’t be back for at least two hours.”
Oliver’s lips pinched into a pout. Aspen hugged him to her side. “It’s okay. I know you were looking forward to your daily bitch session. I’m sure we can make time for dinner or breakfast tomorrow.”
“Fine, but that hot cowboy’s ass is mine!�
� He pointed to Aspen accusingly. “You haven’t allowed me any time with him, and we have a lot to go over before my baby girl arrives. We haven’t even agreed on a nanny!”
Aspen’s placating smile widened as she winked at me. “That’s because Hank doesn’t want a nanny. He thinks maybe his Mom will come for the first couple months after the baby’s born and help out.” Oliver looked at Aspen, eyes wide, mouth agape.
“We cannot have ’maybe’s’ with our baby. Jesus Christ on a stick! When I get my hands on his fine ass he’s going to get a licking that keeps on ticking…and it’s not going to be in a good way!”
That was it. I couldn’t hold it back. I cracked up laughing at their comedic show. Tears pricked my eyes, and I staunched the flow with a Kleenex.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed at me, and then he put his hands on his hips. “Well. I was promised a lunch date. So, you’re coming with us. Get your things little miss Someone-Sent-Me-Flowers-But-I’m-Being-All-Secretive. Let’s go…scoot. Every second you drag ass, Aspen loses another million.”
My mouth dropped open, and I jumped to grab my things. Rosie was back from lunch and would catch the phones and visitors. I really had no reason not go with them. “Really?” I asked.
Aspen smiled and held open the door for us. “Not really. Maybe a thousand or two…” her voice trailed off as we walked onto her personal elevator. Perk of owning a building. You had your own elevator that opened only to specific persons. I’d only seen Aspen, Hank, Oliver, and Dean, Oliver’s significant other, use it. The lift was very high tech. She pressed her finger on the display and said “One” into the quiet of the space. The doors shut, and it went down.
“Since we don’t have to go to that healthy, green-seaweed, tree-hugging restaurant to please your caveman, what does my baby girl want?” He patted Aspen’s belly. She rolled her eyes and shoved his hand away.
“You and Hank are ridiculous. I would like to have Thai food at that greasy place around the corner. Tasty Thai.” She looked at me, and I nodded. I could go Thai any time, and I wasn’t picky. “And I don’t want to hear one damn word about it! And if you tell Hank, I’ll tell Dean about that fireman’s calendar you’re googley-eyed over. I bet he’d wonder why you keep the page on October even though it’s March!”
Oliver visibly shivered and leaned into me as we exited the elevator. “She’s really hormonal lately. Hank has been trying to force feed her all this healthy crap when all she wants to eat is a burger.” He snickered and Aspen stopped on a dime.
“Stuff it! Come on Cami. Let’s go.” She grabbed my arm and locked hers within mine. “All right. Get my mind off this giant bowling ball pressing heavily on my bladder. Who were the flowers from?”
I chuckled. Aspen was the first woman besides Jin who ever initiated “girl talk” with me.
“Hey, don’t leave me out. I’m not the shitty pickle on the side of the plate that no one wants to eat.” Oliver hooked onto my other arm. I sighed, realizing there was absolutely no way of getting out of this.
“It’s really not a big deal.” I shook my head. “Nathaniel Walker sent them to me.”
Both of them stopped while I propelled forward, which yanked me back. It was like a game of slingshot with me as the rubber band. “Sexy-assed Brit? Has the face of my candy man, David Gandy?” Oliver confirmed.
I shrugged. “I don’t know who that is.”
Oliver looked stricken and pulled out his electronic whatever thingy and frantically typed “I’m hungry come on. Talk while we walk,” Aspen pulled us along to the Thai place.
“He came to the office for a meeting with Mr. Jensen the other night.”
Aspen nodded.
“Then he just told me he was having lunch with me. I didn’t think he was really serious, but the next day he showed up right on time. We went to The Place and had lunch.”
“Really? And then today he sent you flowers?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.” Her lips twisted and she bit her bottom one. “He likes you. A lot.”
Oliver nodded then leaned over to show me a picture of what he called “Gandy Candy.” It was an image of a stunningly beautiful, half-dressed male model walking a runway in his boxers. My cheeks felt hot, and I looked away nodding at the similarities between my Nate and Oliver’s model crush. My Nate?
“Girl, he has you in his sights. Did he ask you out again?” Oliver asked.
That’s the part I didn’t really want to get into. They would want to know why I said no. I couldn’t tell them.
“He did but I haven’t decided yet if I’m going.” I chose the noncommittal route to leave me with less to explain.
“Was he a shitty kisser? It’s okay, you can tell me.” Oliver frowned.
“No! He was an amazing kiss…”
Oliver’s eyes went wide, and his smile grew even wider.
Aspen laughed, and covered her smile with her hand.
And now they knew we’d kissed. Dammit!
“So, you’ve already kissed.” I shook my head trying to make him stop. “Oh no, honey, you’re spilling your guts. There’s no going back. And you said it was amazing. Right Aspen?”
She nodded.
My shoulders sagged as Aspen led us into the restaurant and out to the street side where wrought iron bistro-looking tables sat.
“Look, can we talk about something else?” I pleaded with my eyes.
Oliver rolled his. “Fine. Whatever, let’s order, eat a little, and then we’ll continue with the third degree.” He reached over to Aspen’s belly and rubbed it again.
She had to be tired of all the touching. This time she allowed it, placed a hand over Oliver’s and smiled at him.
“Let’s talk about my baby!” Oliver offered and Aspen scowled then pushed his hand off her belly again.
***
Ask and ye shall receive. I believe that’s the quote. Who gives a blimey fuck. The woman who had destroyed all my thoughts, controlled every speck of time in my brain, was sitting at a bistro table not far from where I stood. I gestured to my colleague and best mate.
“I’m in the mood for Thai, and I see a couple mates of mine.”
Ty flicked his glasses down and scanned the view across the street. “The blonde and brunette with the suit?”
“Yeah, come on. I’ll introduce you to Aspen Reynolds.”
“The Aspen Reynolds. As in AIR Bright owner, Bright Magazine owner, pretty much owner of the stock market?”
I grinned and gestured to cross. “That’s the one.”
“They call her the “Octopussy” at the stock exchange because she has her hands in so many pies. And the ‘pussy’ part.” He made a gesture of a pyramid with both hands and licked his lips. “I hear she looks like a fucking model, and every man on the exchange wants a piece.”
I stopped in my tracks to stare in horror. A cab squealed past me, ruffling my suit coat with the near close call. Ty pulled me out of the way in the nick of time. Bugger!
“Shite. Don’t ever let her husband hear you say anything like that. He’s a big guy, southerner, and old-fashioned. He’d beat the living hell out of you.”
“Duly noted. I think I can hold my own with the ladies and their husbands.” Ty waggled his eyes with a disgusting grin.
It was times like these that I wondered how we’d been friends the past few years. Sure, we both treated women like something to get our jollies off on, but at least I respected them enough to not talk about them after. And…I never dated married women. He dated them even when he was married himself. It was the exact reason why he was divorced and paying a hefty alimony payment every month.
As we walked closer to the restaurant, I could hear Camille’s lilting laughter. Christ it did things to me. Sent me from grumpy to glorious in a few seconds. Aspen looked up and recognized me. I waved and she stood, her pregnant belly protruding proudly.
“Wow, Aspen. You’ve gotten even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.”
“Smooth
, real smooth, Nate. Come join us. I believe we know someone else in common.” She winked and nodded her head toward Camille. I grinned, looking over at my beautiful girl. Only she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were on my colleague, Ty. The wide-eyed, deer in the headlights look she had across her face shook me to my core. Did they know each other?
“Camille, lovely to see you.” She shook her head and then closed her eyes, blinking a couple times. “Are you okay, Precious?” Without a second thought, I hopped over the small iron fence, and crouched down to clasp her hands. They were clammy and cold. “What’s the matter?”
She looked at me, her eyes frightened. It was the same look she’d given me in the restaurant on our date. As quickly as the look came, she shook her head, looked over my shoulder at Ty, winced, then blew out a breath. “I, uh, I’m fine. Sorry.”
I pulled up a chair, and handed her the glass of water in front of her. “Here, love, take this.” She took a sip, but her gaze wasn’t focused on me, the glass, or our friends. It was locked on Ty. Jealousy roared up my spine and out each limb, tightening, clawing at my senses, forcing out the beast in me.
“Have a seat?” Aspen gestured to the open space between me and her.
“Thank you. I’m Tyler Thornton, a friend of Nate’s.”
We both sat and Camille looked the other way, focusing on anything but me and my friend. I slid my hand into hers, and she held it in a vice grip. Something was wrong. The tightness of her jaw, the ramrod straight spine said this was not the place to discuss it. With long strokes, I soothed her hand until she loosened her grip. The waiter arrived and Ty and I ordered. Camille sat silent.
“So, Camille, this is my best mate, Tyler Thornton.” She looked at Ty, something akin to hurt slashed across her gaze. She took a deep breath and held out her hand. It visibly shook until Tyler extended his own and clasped it.
“I believe we’ve met. Though it’s been a few years, hasn’t it, sweetness?” Ty’s endearment, tone and the way he held her hand as she tried to pull it away spoke volumes. My inner beast drew its claws. I tightened my hand into a fist.
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