Chapter Three
I fit the last pin into my hair, the strands twisted up tight, and gave my reflection a long, critical look.
Cam always said I looked beautiful with my hair up, and if there was any night I wanted to look my best for him, it was tonight.
I’d picked out a cute little summer dress with tiny straps barely wide enough to stay on my shoulders, and a pair of strappy heels that made my calves pop just so.
The restaurant I’d chosen wasn’t anything fancy—a little local joint with cozy booths and dim lights, just relaxed enough that I wouldn’t have to worry about knocking over a water glass or Cam rolling his eyes at the menu.
Then, to top it off, I’d snagged tickets to an action movie I didn’t even like, just because I knew Cam would.
Romance was more my thing, but maybe if I showed some flexibility, something would shift between us.
Maybe if I let him lead a little, he’d start wanting to spend time with me again, and it wouldn’t always feel like I was dragging him out with promises of candlelight and white tablecloths.
Are you on your way? I texted him.
Sorry, got caught up. I’m coming now.
Except he didn’t just come. It was a full thirty minutes before I heard the door open and Cam walked in, tossing his briefcase onto the nearest chair and yanking at his tie like it was choking him.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, not even glancing in my direction. “Things were crazy at the office.”
“If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the movie,” I said, shooting to my feet.
He pulled out his phone, checked something, and started shrugging off his jacket. “Can I just go like this?” He didn’t wait for an answer, already rolling up his sleeves, the crisp dress shirt and slacks from work the same as what he’d left in that morning.
I tried not to let the disappointment show. “Of course,” I said, grabbing my purse and trailing him to the car.
The ride was silent. Cam drove like he was already halfway somewhere else, jaw set, eyes squinting into traffic, his famous frown creased deep across his brow.
I fidgeted in my seat, wanting to ask what was wrong, but even I knew better by now.
If he wanted to talk, he’d talk. If not, there was nothing I could do but wait it out.
He didn’t touch me on the way into the restaurant.
Gone was the hand on my lower back, the fingers brushing my palm.
I walked beside a stranger, a man-shaped shadow.
The hostess was blonde and polished, her smile stretching wide and eager for my husband, never even flicking my way.
That wasn’t new; Cam had always drawn the eyes.
But tonight, instead of ignoring it, he smiled right back.
Not the small, sheepish one he sometimes gave when he caught me watching, but a wide, confident grin, like flirting with a complete stranger was the easiest, most natural thing in the world.
I wanted to throw something at him. I wanted to ask him why it was so hard to look at me that way, but so easy to turn it on for someone he’d just met. I followed behind the two of them, feeling like a ghost at my own date night.
He slid into the booth across from me and snapped his napkin open, settling it into his lap. The hostess gave him one more blinding smile before she left.
“She was friendly,” I said, voice flat.
Cam didn’t even look up from his menu. “Jealous is a new look on you, Livi. I don’t think I like it much.”
I shrugged, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “Who’s jealous?”
He went back to reading, not bothering to answer. I was relieved when the waiter turned out to be a guy; at least I wouldn’t have to watch another woman fall all over Cam while he basked in it.
“What can I get you to drink tonight? Wine? Water?” the waiter asked.
“Water for me, please. I think I’ll skip the wine.”
“Water for me too,” Cam said, “and a scotch on the rocks.”
“Yes sir. Are you ready to order or do you need a minute?”
Cam peered at me over his menu.
“I’m ready.” I offered the waiter a tiny smile. “Shrimp scampi, please.”
“Lobster bisque.” Cam handed back his menu, efficient and brusque.
The waiter barely had time to step away before Cam’s phone lit up and pinged. He checked it, thumbed a reply with practiced speed, shoved the phone aside. The screen went dark.
I burned to ask, but I didn’t want to seem clingy or suspicious. Still, I couldn’t stop myself.
“So, work on a Saturday?” I forced my tone light. “Everything okay?”
He scowled. “Just trying to get everything in order with the merger. Moving into the bigger space has been a nightmare.”
“Oh? I haven’t seen your new office yet. Can I come up on Monday?”
Cam hesitated, blinking once, just long enough for me to notice. “Uh, yeah, maybe. It’s not completely set up yet.”
The words were out before I even thought about them: “Is Lacey’s office close to yours?”
His whole face darkened. “She has a desk right outside my office. Just like she did at the old building. And just like Janet had.” Every syllable was sharp and irritated.
The waiter came with the drinks and I gratefully took a long sip of ice water, letting it cool my face. I tried, I really did, but silence crashed between us again.
“So I bought tickets to that new action movie you said looked interesting,” I tried again, latching onto something positive.
He grunted. “Good.”
I slumped in my seat. Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered. He didn’t reach for my hand, didn’t even look at me. I swallowed, tried one more time.
“Is everything okay, Cam?” It came out before I could stop myself. “I mean… are we okay? You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Things have been… different.”
His phone buzzed again. He checked it, typed out something longer, then dropped it face down on the table and finally looked at me, eyes heavy. He sighed like it physically hurt.
“Yes, Livi, everything is fine. I know I’ve been a little distant, I’m just going through some stuff.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He shook his head. “I’ll work it out and things will go back to normal eventually.”
I wanted to press, but his face was a wall. I knew better than to keep at it.
I reached for his hand across the table, but the moment didn’t last. “I love you, Cam. I really do.”
He looked at me, surprise flickering across his face. “I love you too, Livi. Always.”
Dinner was quiet but at least the food was good.
The shrimp had just the right bite, and Cam made short work of his lobster bisque.
I was just about to ask if he wanted dessert when his phone rang, so loud it seemed to echo off the glassware.
Before I could even react, Cam snatched it up, and I caught the name before the screen disappeared: Lacey.
Of course.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this.” He stood and answered on the move, heading for the restrooms without even a backwards glance.
I exhaled a long sigh. The waiter swooped in to clear the plates, and I waved off dessert. “No, I’m done. Just the check, thanks.”
Cam came back a few minutes later, face drawn, but he didn’t quite meet my eyes as he sat down.
“Livi…” he started.
“Let me guess. Work emergency?” My voice was thin and tired.
He reached out, briefly, fingers grazing my chin. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Sure,” I whispered.
He was already getting up, pulling out his wallet. “Go see the movie. Have a good time and I’ll see you later tonight.”
“You promise you’ll make it up to me?” I tried for a playful smile, even as my heart sank.
He smirked, finally, just a hint of the old Cam. “Of course, baby.”
“Tonight?”
“If you want. I may be late.”
“I’ll wait up.”
“You shouldn’t. But okay.” He kissed me on the forehead, quick and soft. “I’ll see you later. I’m going to take an Uber so you can have the car.”
I nodded, numb. “Have fun, babe.”
The waiter dropped the bill and his eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling when I left the full tip Cam had laid out. He thanked me twice and I mustered a small smile, glad at least someone’s evening was going well.
I narrowed my eyes at the hostess on the way out, but she looked right through me—like it didn’t really matter.
I slid into the car and drove to the theater, legs too stiff and heart too heavy.
I didn’t care if the movie was good or not.
The truth was, I just couldn’t face going home to an empty house.
The ticket counter was jammed; a man ahead of me was arguing with the cashier, irritation making his voice sharp.
“You don’t have any seats left? Are you sure? I didn’t think this movie was that popular.”
The cashier was unmoved. “We sold out hours ago. We have a seat open for the next showing, though.”
“Ugh, I have to help my grandfather at his shop early in the morning, I wasn’t trying to be up that late.”
I stepped up behind him. “What movie are you trying to see?”
He turned, and even in the harsh light I could see he was cute. Not Cam-level dazzling, but not bad, with soft brown hair, a little stubble, and grey eyes that crinkled when he looked at me.
He told me the name, and I realized it was the same one I’d bought two tickets for.
“I have an extra ticket,” I said, already feeling ridiculous. “My husband bailed. His loss is your gain.”
He blinked, surprised. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “It’s yours, or it goes in the garbage.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” he said, his smile a little shy. “I’m Nate.”
“Livi,” I replied, stupidly. Why did I say that? Only Cam and my best friend ever called me Livi, but now it was out there.
He seemed charmed. “Popcorn on me, then. It’s the least I can do.”
Why not? “That sounds great.”
We waited in line for snacks, and I let myself enjoy the easy banter. To anyone watching, we probably seemed like a real date—the spares, the mismatched, the ones left over when all the regular pairs had found each other.
“These chairs have gotten way too comfortable, I hope I don’t fall asleep,” Nate joked as we found our seats in the back row.
“If you start snoring, I’ll give you a nudge,” I promised, truly smiling for the first time all night.
He grinned. “Deal.”
The lights dimmed and I actually found myself pulled in. The movie was better than I expected; loud and ridiculous and exactly the kind of thing Cam would have loved. I helped myself to the popcorn, grateful I’d skipped dessert at the restaurant.
There was something weirdly soothing about sitting next to Nate. Like we both belonged here, two strangers hiding out from lives that didn’t make much sense.
When it ended, we stepped outside, and the night air was perfectly cool.
“I can’t believe I liked that,” I admitted. “Action films aren’t usually my thing.”
He shrugged, leaning against the wall. “I like most anything, but honestly, I’ve seen so many movies lately, this was the last one left on my list.”
I smiled, and the tension in me loosened a little. “Nice meeting you, Nate.”
“You too, Livi. Maybe we’ll run into each other again someday.”
“Maybe,” I said, and meant it.
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
He did, staying a careful step behind, and when we reached my spot he just watched me open the door, keys jangling a little in my hand.
“Have a good night, Livi,” he said.
“You too, Nate.”
I drove home feeling lighter, though I didn’t want to think about why.
I was less than surprised to find the house empty, no sign of Cam.
I headed straight for the shower, determined to wash away the sweat and sadness of the night, then shaved every inch of myself, wanting to be ready in case he kept his promise.
Once I’d brushed my teeth and chosen something new and lacy, I settled on my side of the bed with a book, waiting for the sound of Cam’s key in the door.
Sometime after midnight, I must have dozed off. When I finally heard the front door open, I checked my phone; it was after one. Cam stomped into the bedroom, threw his briefcase down, and went straight to the shower, not even glancing at me.
I waited, nerves humming, then finally crept to the bathroom, thinking I’d surprise him. I undressed and stepped into the shower behind him, hoping he’d be happy to see me.
Instead he jumped, shoulders tensed, eyes wild. “What the hell, Livi? You scared the life out of me.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I just thought you might want company.”
He didn’t turn. “I’m really tired, Livi. I just want to get cleaned up and go to sleep.”
I felt slapped. “But you said you’d make it up to me tonight.”
He ripped a hand through his hair, suds splattering the walls. “I’ve been at work basically all day long, Livi and I even made time to take you to dinner. Now you want sex. I’m not a superhero, you know! I’d just really like to sleep before I have to go right back to the office tomorrow morning.”
“I’m sorry, Cam. I just thought—”
“Not everything is about you and your needs, Livi.”
It was like being shoved under cold water.
I got out, knotted a towel around myself.
His work shirt lay crumpled on the floor, so I bent to pick it up—and a strange, heady perfume hit me hard, a smell I knew wasn’t mine.
I held the shirt close to my nose, breathing it in, heart pounding.
The rest of his clothes joined the hamper, my mind racing through a thousand possibilities I didn’t want to think about.
Then I heard his phone buzz from inside his briefcase. The shower was still thundering, so I fished it out.
Lacey. Her name flashed on the screen. The phone was locked, but panic makes you creative. I tried his birthday. Nothing. Two more tries and the phone would lock and he’d know. I tried our anniversary. Still nothing. Last attempt—I put in his banking code.
It opened.
I went straight to the texts. Lacey’s thread was a mile long and after reading the first few, I nearly dropped the phone.
You looked so sexy tonight, I almost did something in front of the clients that would have landed me in front of HR.
My hands shook. I scrolled higher.
Oh my God, Cam that look you gave me in the elevator this morning… let’s just say my panties were soaked.
That’s only fair since your tits in that blouse… I was hard as a rock. I had to take care of myself in the men’s room before I could even make it to my office.
I stopped breathing a little. My husband wasn’t just out of love with me; he was cheating. With her.
Somehow I put his phone away without smashing it. I crawled into my side of the bed, pulled the covers to my chin, and rolled away from his pillows.
It felt like forever before he came to bed. He touched my shoulder, gentle.
“Livi?”
I pretended to be asleep.
I heard him whisper, almost too soft for words: “I’m sorry, sweet girl. I never wanted to hurt you. I’m trying to get ahold of myself, I promise.”
I lay as still and silent as a stone.