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“Flattery will get you nowhere, I’m afraid,” she quips.

I step out of our uncomfortable little triangle and grab three glasses of champagne from someone walking by with a tray. I extend one to Samantha and one to Camila, raise my glass—and my eyebrows—and throw the flute back in one gulp before dropping it back on the same tray. I slide one hand into my pocket and wrap my other around Camila, pulling her closer to my side.

I’ve known Sam since I was in law school, I was her personal junior associate when I first started at Smith & Mitchell. I have a certain loyalty to her, but the way she's looking at Camila like she wants to chew her up and spit her out has a protectiveness surging through me.

“It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Mitchell,” Camila says, ever so sweetly.

Yeah. I definitely don't deserve her—real or fake.

Samantha, still in shark mode turns towards her, “I don’t think I ever heard the details of your wedding, besides that no one was there...” I know she’s trying to catch me in a lie but fuck her for trying to use Camila to do it. And double fuck me for actually putting her in this position in the first place. I’m racking my brain for a quick response so I can get her out of this woman's presence as soon as possible.

“Oh, it was beautiful,” Camila blurts out. “It was really special for us to be able to share such an intimate moment with just the two of us. We both spend so much time on other things; friends, family,work.”She adds an extra bite to the word work as if all this time that I’ve spent in the office this last year has been a real damper for her. “We talked about doing something at a later time with…everyone,” she motions to Sam. “It just hasn't been a high priority for us. Maybe for an anniversary or something, huh, babe?” She looks up at me now and not for the first time has this woman completely stunned me. I pull her in close, close my eyes, and kiss the top of her head.

“Yes. Anything you want.”

“Mhmm, and what’s next for you two? Shall we be expecting some babies anytime soon?”

Thank fuck I wasn’t sipping any champagne or Samantha would be wearing it right now, but it doesn’t stop me from choking all the same.

“Samantha!” Camila playful scolds her. “I’m no lawyer but if I could offer you any advice, it would be to not ask other women about their plans to procreate.” Her smile is forced but still so beautiful. Camila has left me slack-jawed and I have to force myself to swallow. “But if you must know, I think we’re going to start small. We just went to a dog adoption event last weekend, so we may potentially start with a fur baby,” she says in a sing-song voice.

Absolutely not. But Ismile anyway, because for all the money in this room right now, I couldn't not smile at Camila.

“Well, you two really are something.” Samantha huffs and somehow I’ve forgotten she was even here. “I need to make the rounds now. Enjoy your night.” She tilts her champagne to us before stalking off.

I turn to Camila wrapping both my arms around her, as I bring my forehead to hers. She closes her eyes and blows out a long breath. “How’d I do?” And for the first time all night, her bravado falls a little.

“I’d believe you,” I answer before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead and locking our fingers together. “Let’s go find a real drink at the bar.”

The people walking around with trays of champagne aren't going to cut it anymore. I’ll need something a little stronger to get through tonight.

“Uh, whisky neat, and a champagne please,” Camila orders for us, and I look at her with a raised brow. “What? Your drink order isn't that hard,honey,” she says, fluttering her eyelashes at me.

I’m aware that anybody in my office would know my drink order. I’m pretty sure the bartenders at every restaurant in the city know my drink of choice. But something about Camila knowing what I want hits me differently.

I feel a slap on my shoulder. “Ayye, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence,” Jonas beams. With his arm wrapped around me, he holds up his glass and nods to Camila. “Camila, you look stunning.” Before I know it, my elbow is jabbing him in his ribs and he folds over with a grunt. “I was going to saythank youfor getting everyone’s favorite asshole to show his face at one of these events for once, but now I’m thinking you should have left him at home.”

To her credit, she purses her lips to the side trying to hide her smile.

“Here let's take a picture.” I move to stand behind Camila as Jonas raises his phone with one hand and his glass again with the other. He snaps a quick photo of the three of us before he starts typing away.

“Who are you sending selfies to Jonas?” Camila giggles.

“Taylor,” he responds without looking up from his phone.

Camila and I exchange a glance and judging by the way her eyebrows squish together I conclude she wasn't aware her friend kept in contact with Jonas either. Before either one of us can ask, Jonas is laughing, “Check this out.” He hands his phone to Camila with a picture of Taylor on what I’m assuming is a couch even though it looks more like a pile of old blankets, holding up a beer bottle and a box of Chinese takeout. The text reads ‘I hope you dance so much your feet blister. Call me later, I’m determined to stay up till I finish season 4 tonight.”

Camila hands him his phone and he goes right back to texting.

“Why is Taylor sending you selfies?” she asks.

“Oh apparently she’s never seenBuffy,and I got her hooked last weekend but since I had to beheretonight and she wanted to keep watching, I told her she could but only if she sent pictures of her live reactions so I wouldn't miss it.”

I’m glad Camila is able to carry this conversation because I’m at a loss for words. Jonas doesn't have female friends. And he doesn't work this hard to sleep with someone either so I’m left standing here scratching the back of my neck.

“What's your motive here, Jonas?” Her eyes narrow into tiny slits as she points a finger at him.

Jonas finishes typing his text before sliding his phone back into his jacket pocket. “Relax, we’re just friends.” His head tilts to the side with his signature smile.