“Good thing I didn’t bring you for your money, then,” Cameron said, grinning at her.
This produced another blush.
“How about that dance, and then we can get out of here?” He stood and held out his hand. She put her hand in his and rose to her feet. As they walked to the dance floor, he could feel people watching them. They were still holding hands, which might make people think they were involved. But he suddenly didn’t care what the other guests thought, or if they were talking about his canceled engagement.
He had a beautiful woman to dance with; then he’d take her home, and the night would be over. He might as well enjoy this moment, because tomorrow he had to start cleaning up all the messes he’d made of his life. He wasn’t looking forward to canceling the bookings Crystal had set up for the wedding. She’d told him that since he was the one who wanted to break up, he could do the work of canceling everything. Who knew how many other nonrefundable deposits were out there?
The band was playing a slow melody by the time they reached the floor, and Cameron turned to Jane, putting one hand on her waist and keeping her other hand in his. She rested her free hand on his shoulder. The lights dimmed, and a machine on the bandstand threw images of stars and tiny moons all over the ceiling and floor.
“I feel like everyone is staring,” Jane said, “but when I look at their faces, no one is actually looking. Maybe it’s a trick of the light?”
“These people are a sly bunch. They can avert their eyes really quickly.”
Jane laughed.
And Cameron felt the vibration of her laughter travel through his own body. He was probably enjoying this evening much more than he should. He hadn’t seen Lacey since he’d given her the money, but he had no doubt he’d have a message or a text from Crystal once he turned his phone back on. He couldn’t imagine Crystal staying silent when she found out his date tonight was their cleaning lady.
A cleaning lady who cleaned up very nicely.
“What are you smiling about?” Jane asked, her green eyes connecting with his.
“Just... random thoughts.”
“Hmm,” Jane said, pressing her rosy lips together. She must have reapplied her lip gloss when he wasn’t looking. “What’s the saying? Penny for your thoughts?”
Cameron liked how Jane’s eyelashes were long without being fake. “What?”
“You have selective hearing like my dad.”
“All right, all right,” he said. “I was thinking about how furious Lacey was when she obviously doesn’t know the story behind my canceled credit card. Then I thought how I haven’t seen her since I gave her the cash. And I realized she probably texted Crystal all about it, not knowing that Crystal would also know the truth behind the canceled credit card. Also, Lacey wouldn’t waste any time telling her about you.”
Jane watched him in amusement. “Those are a lot of random thoughts.”
“I’m not finished.”
“Well then, please continue.”
He smirked. “I turned my phone off, but I’m betting myself Crystal has sent several scathing texts calling me out on bringing a date to the gala so soon after our breakup.”
“And,” Jane prompted, “you forgot to add to your random thoughts that Crystal will be really annoyed your date is her cleaning lady.”
“Ex-cleaning lady.” Cameron shrugged. “What does it matter? The real issue is that Crystal can’t complain about what I do anymore. We’re not together.”
“True.” She glanced past him. “The band is actually quite good.”
“Um-hmm,” Cameron said and then realized he’d pulled Jane a little closer during their conversation, and she hadn’t seemed to mind.
The number came to an end, and Jane used her free hand to cover up a yawn. “Sorry, I don’t mean to yawn around you. Besides, I’m sure you’re way more tired than I am.”
“I didn’t have to clean houses today like you did,” Cameron said as the band started playing another slow song. “If you’re tired, we can go. No problem. Or... we could dance one more.”
Jane smiled. “One more is fine, but only if you want to.”
Cameron’s answer was to pull her just a little closer and keep dancing. More couples were on the dance floor now, but the dim lighting gave them some anonymity. The dance was over way too soon, and Cameron felt like he was waking up from a deep dream when Jane drew away from him.
“Let’s say goodbye to my mom. Then we can pick up your basket,” Cameron said.
She lifted a brow. “You mean your basket?”
“Nope. It’s yours.”
Jane bit her lip, and Cameron touched her arm. “It’s for charity, remember? Maybe I’ll take one of the honeys, but you can have the rest. Share it with your dad.”
Finally, she nodded. “All right. He’ll be so impressed.”
It took only a moment to locate his mom, who happened to be dancing with his dad. Cameron said his goodbyes. His dad gave Jane’s hand an enthusiastic shake, and his mom said, “I’m so glad you could come, Jane.”
They made it out of the restaurant with only a few more stops, including picking up the gourmet food basket, and by the time they stepped out into the summer night, Cameron was glad to be free of all the people.
“It’s stopped raining,” Jane said as they waited for the valet to bring the car.
Cameron shifted the basket he held to his other arm; it was heavier than he expected. “I love the smell after it rains.”
“I was just going to say that,” she said, looking over at him with a smile.
Cameron smiled back, but he noticed that her smile seemed less happy now. “Did you enjoy the night?”
“Very much,” she said. “Thank you for taking me. I need to do something for your mom to thank her for loaning me this dress.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” he said. “She was happy to do it.”
The breeze stirred about them, bringing with it the fresh scent of earth and leaves.
“Are you cold?” Cameron asked.
She gave a small shake of her head, which dislodged a lock of hair from her updo. “I’m fine.”
Cameron lifted his hand and tucked her hair back in, feeling Jane’s gaze on him. Just then the valet pulled up with his car, and Cameron dropped his hand.
While the valet hopped out, Cameron opened the passenger door for Jane.
She picked up the wrap from the front seat where she’d left it, then sat down.
Cameron shut her door and put the basket in the back seat. He paid the valet and walked around to the other side.
The drive home was quiet, although they talked about a couple of random things. But the mood had definitely changed and become more somber. Jane checked her phone and reported that her dad had made it home all right and had probably gone to bed by now.
When Cameron pulled up to his mom’s house to drop Jane off, she said, “It was a great evening. Thanks again, Cameron.”
He tried not to focus on the soft way she said his name. “I’m glad you agreed to come.” And here it was, the awkward part of knowing what to say next. Their date was pretty much a convenient arrangement, yet Cameron didn’t want to tell her goodbye and never see her again. But what else could he say—Can I hire you? Do you want to go to dinner sometime?
For whatever reason, he was coming up empty. Probably because he wanted to skip past all the awkwardness, ignore the fact that he was probably on the rebound, and kiss her anyway.
Jane waited as Cameron came around the car to open the door for her. She probably should have just opened it herself, but she technically needed his help to stand while wearing the form-fitting red dress.
He’d been a gentleman all night, even when confronted by Lacey. Jane had been impressed—more than impressed. Cameron Vance wasn’t the man she had first thought he was. She supposed she was guilty of stereotyping him simply because he was wealthy. She should know better, but money had never been a simple thing for her.
; She’d always had to work hard to keep a roof overhead, and even though she was living with her dad rent-free right now, she was paying half of all utilities and repairs to the house, as well as secretly paying some of his medical expenses, while putting money into savings each month. She hoped to expand her business and hire on a part-time helper, especially since she was often cleaning until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. at night.
The door opened, and Cameron offered his hand, just as she knew he would.
Jane stood, her hand in Cameron’s warm, sturdy one.
Cameron was right. The fresh air after the rain storm smelled wonderful, and when she got home, she’d probably sit on the back porch for a while. She wanted to remember every bit of the evening, with the exception of the Lacey confrontation.
Cameron dropped her hand and opened the rear door to fetch the basket. “I’ll carry it in for you,” he said.
They walked to the porch. Jane felt awkward since this wasn’t her house, and this wasn’t really a date, and she was wearing Cameron’s mom’s dress. She was both relieved and disappointed when the front door suddenly opened before they reached the porch.
“Oh,” Selena said, coming out. “I was just leaving. You’re back already?”
“We’re both pretty tired,” Cameron said. “Did the auction numbers come in strong?”
“Jerry’s double checking everything, but it looks like we raised almost one-hundred thousand on the auction alone,” Selena said.
“Wow, that’s great,” Cameron said.
Selena’s gaze turned to Jane. “Do you need help getting out of that dress before I leave?”
“If you don’t mind,” Jane said.
And just like that, the evening with Cameron was over. He set the basket in the front foyer, and moments later he was gone. Jane went upstairs with Selena, who chattered on and on about the success of the night, while Jane only half-listened. Her thoughts were with the man she’d laughed with and danced with and who’d spent more on a basket than she made in a week.
Then she remembered, she’d forgotten to give him one of the flavored honey jars. A plan started to form in her mind of how she might take one to him and see him again, but she immediately squelched the idea.
She’d leave the jar here with a note to his mom explaining it.
That would be the rational thing to do.
“How much should I leave Mrs. Vance for the dry-cleaning bill?” Jane said as she unclasped the pearl necklace and set it in the velvet jewelry box on the vanity table.
“Oh, you shouldn’t worry about it,” Selena said.
Jane turned to face the woman. “I wore the dress, and I’m sure it needs to be cleaned, although I was very careful with it.”
Still, Selena waved her off. “Louisa wouldn’t want you to. In fact, she would be offended.”
“Are you sure?” Jane asked. “I can leave some money with a note. I forgot to give Cameron some of the honey from the gift basket anyway.”
“You must believe me,” Selena said. “Louisa loves to help people; she would never expect you to pay for dry cleaning.”
“All right,” Jane said, forming another plan in her mind. Maybe she could call Cameron and discuss the dry-cleaning protocol with him. It could just be a simple, casual conversation. No expectations. She could thank him again for a lovely evening.
No. Cameron was Cameron, and she was Jane—the cleaning lady who just happened to be Cinderella for a night. The sight of her in the mirror, back in her regular clothes, drove that idea home.
“You’ve been great, Selena,” Jane said. “I appreciate all your help tonight.”
“Oh, you’ve been the one who’s helped out tonight,” Selena said with a laugh. “I’m sure Louisa and Cameron will be calling you to thank you again.”
Jane’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cameron calling her, even though she knew it wouldn’t actually happen. That would be above and beyond Cameron’s obligation—of which he had none toward her.
The evening had been wonderful, but it was over now. She headed down the stairs with Selena. In the foyer, Jane bent to open the clear plastic wrapping of the gift basket and fished out a raspberry-flavored honey. She set it on the small table by the entrance, then searched through her purse for her small notebook that came in handy from time to time. She ripped out a blank page and wrote a quick message to Cameron.
Selena opened the door, and Jane said, “I’ll come out with you.”
Jane followed her out, carrying the basket. “Thanks again for everything, Selena.”
“No problem,” she said. “I hope to see you soon.”
Jane just smiled. She knew there was no chance. Her life had crossed with the Vances for the last time. She set the basket on the front seat of her car, then gave a final wave to Selena as she got into her own car.
On the drive to her dad’s house, Jane finally had her thoughts to herself to mull over the evening. She’d probably read too much into Cameron’s attentions toward her. But when she thought of dancing with him, especially that final dance when he’d pulled her closer, she knew that her rapid pulse hadn’t been just circumstance. She liked Cameron Vance. A lot.
But tomorrow it would all fade away and become a hazy dream she could look back at once in a while. She only wished they’d taken a picture—so at least she could remember the dress. But it was probably a good thing they hadn’t. It would be too hard to forget Cameron in his tux if she could look at a picture.
She turned into her dad’s driveway. The porch light was on, but the rest of the house was dark. She was surprised he hadn’t at least left the living room light on. But then again, she wasn’t a teenager anymore.
She climbed out of the car and picked up the basket from the seat. The gourmet food would be delicious, and her father would be astounded at the price Cameron paid for it. She planned to thoroughly enjoy each item in the basket. She might even take pictures.
Jane used her key to unlock the front door, then quietly shut the door behind her. She set the basket on the kitchen table, then went into her room to change into her standard sleeping wear—yoga pants and a well-washed T-shirt. She grabbed an oversized sweater, then she went out into the backyard and set the old lawn chair on the small, weathered wooden deck. The deck was also littered with pine needles from a too-close pine tree that had probably been planted before the previous homeowner built the deck. She settled back on the lawn chair and pulled the sweater close.
The temperature was perfect, the night sounds soothing. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while, but she closed her eyes anyway, listening to the breeze stirring the aspens at the edge of the yard.
“Jane? Did you fall asleep out here?”
Was she dreaming about her dad’s voice? She cracked an eye open and was nearly blinded by the sun shining right in her face.
Then a shape moved in front of the bright light.
Jane blinked. “Dad?” She must have fallen asleep in the lawn chair. She bolted up. “Oh, no. I’m late. What time is it?”
“It’s Sunday,” her dad said with a chuckle. Then he frowned. “Did you get drunk last night?”
“No.” When she saw the doubt on her dad’s face, she swung her feet off the lawn chair and stood up. “Honest, Dad. I sipped some wine, but it was too sweet.” The truth was, she didn’t entirely trust herself around Cameron, and wine would have relaxed some of her inhibitions.
Her dad chuckled.
He was in a good mood today.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he started, “but I had some of those wafers in the basket.”
“That’s fine, but did you check the sugar content?”
When her dad didn’t answer, Jane sighed and moved past him and walked into the house. She fished the wafer package out of the garbage. Her stomach roiled when she saw the sugar content. “Dad? Come in here. We need to test your blood.”
He came in, a sheepish expression in his brown eyes. He sat down like a five-year-old kid who was in troubl
e with his mom while Jane grabbed the glucose meter. She pricked his finger, then waited for the results.
When she saw the high number, she said, “What did you eat for breakfast?”
“Juice and that leftover blueberry muffin.”
“I’m giving you a dose of insulin, then we’re going to the clinic,” Jane said. She prepared the syringe, then handed it over to her dad. One thing she’d always insisted on was that her dad give himself his own shots. It helped him take more responsibility.
Then she hurried into her room, refusing to listen to any of her dad’s protests. She didn’t have time to dress, so she tugged off her shirt to at least put on a bra. Then, shirt back on, she hurried to the front room. Her dad had just opened the door, his cane gripped in one hand.
“Come on,” she said, looping her arm in his. He might be fine, but if his levels skyrocketed, he could pass out on her. So they walked arm and arm to her car, and she got him into the passenger seat, then shut the door.
Once she sat down, her dad said, “I feel all right. You’re overreacting.”
Jane started the engine. “If you start feeling faint, then it’s too late. I hope I’m overreacting, but the truth is that you don’t take your diabetes seriously enough.” She handed him her phone, then started backing out of the driveway. “Look up the clinic hours. I’m not sure what they are on Sundays.”
Her dad fiddled with the phone. “I can’t get anything to work on this thing.”
“Here,” Jane said, holding out her hand.
He gave her the phone back, and she pulled over to a sidewalk curb. She quickly browsed the clinic name, then clicked on the listed website. “It opens at 10:00 on Sundays.” It was only 8:45 a.m., so Jane took a right at the next street instead of a left. She didn’t want to stress out her dad by telling him they were going to the hospital, but when she glanced over at him, he’d closed his eyes. “Dad? Are you all right?”
“I’m just nauseous from your driving.”
Where I Belong (Pine Valley Book 2) Page 7