Page 59 of Warrior's Cross

Cameron sighed. “Nothing.”

“You look like someone kicked your puppy,” Miri observed. “Did you get to talk to Julian?”

“He’s busy,” Cameron answered with a quick shake of his head. “I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt.”

Miri raised one eyebrow and looked at him dubiously. “You sure you’re okay?” she asked again.

Cameron shrugged. “Just hard, you know? Reminds me that I’m just a waiter, and he’s someone important.”

Miri stopped what she was doing and stared at him. “He tells you that?” she asked in horror.

Cameron flinched, realizing how that sounded. “No!” he insisted, turning to look at her. “No, he doesn’t. He’s never even hinted at something like that. It’s just whatIthink sometimes, is all.”

She looked over him, brow furrowing in worried sympathy. “Are you two... okay?” she asked gently.

Cameron worried at his bottom lip and looked over at her again.

Julian worked with Blake. This party had been in the works for weeks.

If Julian were meant to be here, Blake would have told Julian that some time ago. So why hadn’t Julian told Cameron?

“I guess so,” he answered finally. “I don’t know.”

Miri’s eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Why? What’s going on?” she asked. “You seem so happy.”

Cameron frowned a little. “I just get nervous. I don’t want to mess it up. It just... scares me sometimes.”

“Scares you?” Miri prodded carefully as someone called for her.

Cameron’s shoulder edged up. Despite Julian’s admission that he loved him, Cameron feared something would happen to make Julian leave. Being summarily turned away out there on the floor rocked Cameron’s confidence. Not being sure of his place in the relationship both scared and frustrated him.

“Are you going to be okay?” Miri asked him worriedly.

Cameron nodded distractedly, and Miri reluctantly left the kitchen.

He had the feeling it was going to be a long night, and suddenly he was very glad he’d switched jobs to work back in the kitchen. He didn’t think he could wait a table where Julian was sitting, smoothly conversing with other people, and have the man ignore him.

Or worse, have Julian treat him like a complete stranger.

He tried to swallow on a little frisson of anger. It shouldn’t have to be this way.

Out on the floor, Julian broke away from the little group that had monopolized his time the past hour and began moving slowly through the crowd toward the back. He’d thought he would at least be able to get through the night, maybe get some good intel about the asshole he was supposed to follow home, but all he could think about was the look in Cameron’s eyes when he’d turned away. He needed to talk to Cameron andexplain or he was going to make a serious mental misstep out here. He avoided anyone he knew and anyone who looked like they knew him, aiming for the service entrance.

Julian stepped through the doors into the back, looking around for Cameron, just as Miri backed into the service area from the kitchen and almost ran into him as he stood there.

She recovered quickly, apologizing and backing away from him.

“I need to speak to Cameron,” Julian told her softly.

Miri looked unsure as she glanced around. “Perhaps that could wait?” she said uncertainly. “He’s occupied with preparations for the dinner service right now.”

“I’ll find him myself,” Julian murmured as he started toward the kitchen.

Miri gave a little squeak of surprise. “Wait,” she tried as she reached for his sleeve. “That area’s not open to guests, sir. If you go back there you could get us all in a lot of trouble. Including Cameron.”

“Then get him for me,” Julian suggested.

His voice was low and even, but forceful nonetheless. The tone obviously affected Miri. It sent a shiver through her, and she took a tiny step back. Her voice wavered a little when she spoke. “Please... let him be, just for tonight. He seems upset enough as it is.”