Page 33

Chapter Thirty-Two

Cameron

I set my suitcase by the bed then lie down on my back, opening up my phone to browse meaningless posts.

I’m in California once again for a job. Austen is back home. It’s weird being so far away from him after spending so much time together in New York. He ended up staying longer than he planned, which he said was because he was looking at buildings but something tells me that isn’t the whole truth. Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking because I want my best friend to miss me. Hanging out with him has really screwed me up because I remember all too easily why I was so in love with him all those years ago, and that maybe… maybe I never stopped. It’s hard to explain, but it’s just something that’s there. An affection for him like nothing else. Being around him makes me feel good, and I just… I don’t know. I wish life didn’t have to be so complicated.

Or maybe I just need to get laid.

I pull up the dating app on my phone, change my location, and start swiping. I’m starving, so grabbing food with someone wouldn’t be awful and neither would a hook up. It’s been forever, and maybe that’s the only issue here. Maybe it has nothing to do with Austen specifically, but just my body needing someone. It’s difficult to hook up with people nowadays. I travel too much and depending on where I am, it’s hard going out in public because I’m often recognized. It doesn’t happen all the time, but my agent will have a fit if I hook up with someone who starts some gossip bullshit. Which is why I’m only swiping on people who look… decent.

My standards are high today. I need some business class guys, maybe someone who is in the same line of work, so they get it.

I can’t be sure how long I look through photos before I get a match, but when I do, I go back to look at their profile and send them a message.

Hey

Hey

Not to be too forward, but I’m starving and was hoping for a dinner date. You down?

I tap the side of my phone as I wait for a response. I don’t have time to waste

Are you a serial killer?

If I was, do you think I’d be dumb enough to admit it here?

Where are we meeting?

I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.

No clue. I’m new to town.

It’s a few moments before the next text comes in.

Sixty-Two. 7:30?

I search the name up, curious about the kind of place he wants me to go to. I’m not stupid enough to go down some back alley or underground place. But this place is fancy… and requires reservations.

Says we need reservations.

I got it handled.

See you at 7:30.

It’ll be under JJ.

It won’t take me long to get to the restaurant, but I get up to shower and change, this way I’m not late. It takes me a good amount of time to get ready because I have to iron my shirt and pants. I was in a rush when I packed and didn’t fold everything properly, so now it’s all a mess. Still, I finish with plenty of time but head to the restaurant anyway.

It’s a few minutes past seven when I get there, so I walk around a few blocks before heading back, figuring I can clear my head and stop thinking about Austen, because honestly, it’s ridiculous that I can’t. I’ve been itching to tell him I’m going on a date, because he’s my best friend and I used to tell him everything, but then… I don’t want to tell him that.

What if there is some chance? Any sort of chance for us? This could ruin it.

Because yeah, Cam, the fact he’s married to a woman isn’t the main ruining factor. It’s me going on a date. Ridiculous…

With a huff, I head to the restaurant. It’s swanky and likely over-priced. Been to plenty like this over the years. Don’t hate it, but it’s not the kind of place I’d want to be in every day. It’s not my scene. I’d much rather get greasy burgers in a pub or find some hole in the wall that may or may not give me food poisoning. It’s so much more fun that way.

“Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asks when I reach the podium. She’s very pretty, blond hair shiny and bright blue eyes. They’re a shade of blue that remind me of Austen’s, but I push that thought aside. I’m literally here to meet up with a guy.

“I’m here to meet JJ,” I say. Her face lights up and she smiles.

“Yes, he did mention a date. Right this way, please.”

The way she says it, it’s like she knows him. Maybe that's why we got in for reservations.

I follow after her, the nerves in my stomach going a little wild. There is no reason for me to be nervous, this is just casual.

I spot the guy a mile away. He’s handsome as hell. There’s a rugged look to him, but he’s dressed nicely. Definitely comes from money or something.

“JJ,” the hostess says when we reach the table. He looks up and his eyes dart to mine. He smiles, getting to his feet.

“Thanks, Stacy.”

“Have a good evening,” she says before walking away.

He holds his hand out. “Nice to see you didn’t stand me up.”

“I’m starving,” I say, shaking his hand before sitting down across from him. He chuckles and takes his seat. “So, this place is nice.”

“One of LA’s best restaurants. Their food is great.”

“Let me guess… you know the chef?”

“Owner, actually.” He grins.

A waiter comes over and asks about drinks. I order a Macallan and he gets the same.

“So, new to town?” he says.

“Well, visiting is more like it.”

“Personal or business?”

“Business.”

“I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about it?” He raises a brow.

“I’m doing a photoshoot,” I say. “And I’m not in the closet or anything.”

“That’s refreshing.” He clears his throat, accepting his drink when the waiter brings them over. “I’m used to getting guys who want a secret hookup.”

“Not worth the trouble to keep secrets,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

We order our food, make conversation, and I overall enjoy the company. He’s a cool guy, very to the point. He’s funny. Very flirty. Pretty sure we’ll be going home together tonight. And the best part? I’ve hardly thought of Austen at all.

That is until I get up to use the bathroom and walk by a woman at a table who looks an awful lot like Savannah. It’s possible she’s here for business, Austen mentioned her traveling, but what I don’t understand is why she’s here, at this fancy restaurant, with a guy who isn’t her husband. Sure, it could be business, but this isn’t the business-dinner type of place.

I go to the bathroom, do my business, and when I come back, I carefully try to check her out again to make sure I’m not seeing things. Maybe it’s a doppelganger. I hear we have seven or so people in the world who look just like us. But yeah… that’s definitely Savannah. Fuck. It’s probably innocent. Probably just work. But what are the odds? I swear the universe is just throwing me to the Brewers and hoping I stick or something. Damn.

I take my seat, picking up my drink to finish it off.

“You good?” JJ asks with a concerned look.

“You see that blond girl a few tables behind me?”

His eyes narrow slightly before they dart, subtly, behind me to where she is.

“With the pretentious looking dude who needs to gain a few pounds?”

“That’s the one,” I say with a snicker. “Yeah, I see her.”

“So, she’s my best friend’s wife, and I’m pretty sure she’s here cheating on him.”

JJ’s eyes widen as they come back to settle on me. “Well, fuck.”

“Yeah…”

He holds his hand up to get the waiter’s attention. “We’re going to need some more drinks over here.”

“Of course, sir.”

“So, how do you wanna handle this?” he asks me.

“I have no idea. Like… no idea.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“No,” I blurt, causing him to frown. “It’s a really complicated situation. Basically, she and I don’t get along. If I told him, she’d…”

“Make it seem like it was your fault and get between you and your friend?”

“Yep.”

My drink is placed down in front of me and I take a mouthful, loving the burn as it goes down my throat.

“Tough spot,” he comments, grabbing his drink but pausing before taking a sip. His eyes are glued behind me.

“What? What’s happening?” I ask, wanting to turn around to see but also not wanting to turn around to see.

“Well, you said you thought she was cheating on him?” he says carefully.

“Yes…”

“She’s definitely cheating on him. They just kissed.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, burying my face in my hands. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Austen is going to be devastated.

I knew she was a bitch. I knew it! I knew they never should have gotten married. They weren’t right for each other. She’s ruining Austen’s life. Has been since the day they started dating.

What I should do is go over there and make a fucking scene, but that would be bad for everyone here. I don’t want to make a problem for JJ when he’s been so cool tonight.

The little devil on my shoulder is telling me it’s the perfect opportunity to take my shot. Swoop in to save Austen while he’s hurting, which he definitely will be when he finds out what she’s been doing. But then the angel is telling me to ignore it. It’s not my business. And I shouldn’t give him this hurtful information just so I can make it better.

“Fuck, I don’t know what to do,” I groan.

“Maybe get a video and send it anonymously?”

That’s not a terrible idea. Not at all. Okay, yeah, let’s do that. I pick up my phone and open the camera to start recording. I turn slightly, angling the phone in a way I can get them while also looking over my shoulder to make sure I’m getting them in the frame. I catch them kissing— on camera!

But then the worst thing possible happens. She pulls back and for some crazy fucking reason, her gaze goes this way, and I know, I just know , she recognizes me.

I whip around to face JJ, turning off the camera and shoving it in my pocket.

“Shit, she saw me.”

“Yeah, she did,” JJ says, grabbing his drink and trying to hide his humored smile. Of course he’s laughing at me. He doesn’t have to deal with this shit.

“Is she coming over here?” I ask stiffly.

“Yep.”

“Fuck!” I hiss.

“Cameron?” Savannah’s voice is like nails on a fucking chalkboard.

“Oh, hey, Savannah,” I say as if I’m shocked to see her standing in front of me in a tight, slim body con dress with the sides cut out. Her makeup and hair are perfect as always, but her gaze is stern. I hate her.

“Surprise seeing you here,” she says.

“Yeah, same. I’m here for work. I’m guessing you are too?”

“Of course, I am,” she says, flipping some thick curls over her shoulder, her gaze fixed on me. “Just having dinner with one of the Italian designers I’ve been working with.”

“That sounds nice.” I force a smile. Her attention turns to JJ, pursing her lips. “And this is?”

“JJ,” he says, offering out his hand.

“Lovely name,” she says condescendingly, but he just holds her smile as if he doesn’t care. I didn’t ask him what he does for work. I should because he’s got a good poker face. “Well, it was nice seeing you, Cameron. I’ll be sure to let Austen know I saw you out on a date.”

The way she says it, it’s like she knows something. Does she know what happened with us? Did he tell her?

No way. He wouldn’t have told her. There is no way he would tell her that after he basically threatened me to never speak of it again. But then why would she say it like that? Almost like it was blackmail or something?

She walks away, back to her table and her fancy Italian designer.

“She’s a peach,” JJ says, emptying his glass.

“Fucking tell me about it.”

We get the check, and though I try to pay, JJ refuses to let me. I’m just about to get up for us to leave when Savannah stops at the table with the Italian designer.

“Cameron Scott. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He offers out his hand and I raise a brow, glancing at JJ before looking back at him and taking it.

“You are?”

“Matteo Vitale,” he says and my throat goes dry. “I’ve seen your work through the years. I was hoping we could work together some day.”

His accent is there, but not so thick that I can’t understand him. He’s got this arrogant air about him, and you just know this guy is a douchebag.

“Yeah, that would be great.”

“Very good,” he says. “Just keep in mind that I do not tolerate gossip, Mr. Scott.” My eyebrows shoot up, and he smiles before adding, “Have a lovely night.”

He and Savannah leave, heading for the door.

“I think that was supposed to be a threat,” JJ comments.

“Yeah,” I say. “I agree.”