When Shrimp Attack
WHEN SHRIMP ATTACK
RACHEL
I RSVP’d to Alison and Greg’s wedding for two people, but I still had no idea if Cam was going to show. I cringed flexing my shoulders backward as I reached for the zipper on my bubble sleeve V-neck minidress. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror. I had taken extra care to make myself up thinking that Cam might meet me at the wedding, and yet he hadn’t responded to my last text.
I sighed. Our recent flirt-a-thons had shown me that Cam was interested – just not interested enough to emerge from his chamber of secrets and be my plus one. Part of me wanted to feign an illness and not go to the wedding after all, but I couldn’t do that to Carol.
No. I’m going to suck it up, go, and if I get asked too many times if I’m dating or married, I’ll call Phil for a ride home.
I remained outside for a bit longer, after my Uber dropped me off, giving Cam one more chance to show. Each car pulling up to the valet only contained happy couples and family members heading out to the lawn for the wedding. With ten minutes until the ceremony, I headed in, kicking my heart across the floor as I walked. As I made my way out to the back lawn, I saw Carol going to the staging area with a packet of Tylenol in her hand.
She opened her arms wide. “Oh, Rachel, my dear!” She hugged me the way a woman who doesn’t want to smear her makeup would. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I patted her on the back. “You look amazing.”
She glanced down at her flowing wine-colored dress that screamed, ‘I am a woman of style and not your average mother of the bride.’ “Thank you. Truth be told, I’ll be glad to get back into stretch pants after this is all over.”
I laughed. “I hear that.”
She looked around. “Where is Cam? I thought you said you were bringing that beautiful man with you?”
“Uh, he couldn’t get out of another event.” That sounded better than I asked him and he completely rejected me by never replying to my text.
“Awww. I’m sorry.”
I shrugged it off. “It’s okay. I did ask him last minute.”
“Well, I need to get these to Greg’s mother. She drank too much champagne last night.”
Carol scurried off, and I found my seat in the last row of the bride’s side where there were a few other empty chairs. I sighed, counting the minutes until I could make my exit. The ceremony should be quick, and once they served dinner, I was out of there. I fanned myself with the program that was in the shape of a handheld paper fan. Though the tree framing the lawn provided some cover, it was still hot at 3:58 p.m. in May.
Little did I know it was about to get hotter.
As Greg took his place in the front and the minister readied with his Bible, I felt a whoosh of air and motion from behind me. I didn’t even have time to look over my shoulder as Cam floated in and took the seat beside me right as the processional music started. My insides erupted with a hysterical mix of what I could only describe as adrenaline, liquid magma, and glitter.
“Hey,” Cam whispered, out of breath. “Sorry I’m late.”
I swallowed my heart, which had become lodged in my throat. “It’s okay … it’s … don’t be sorry. Glad you made it.”
He flashed me a smile and then sat up straight as the flower girl skipped down the path, throwing petals until Greg motioned for her to slow down.
“Okay, so who’s getting married?” Cam asked.
I stifled a giggle and handed him my program figuring that no amount of fake wind from a paper fan was going to cool me down now that Cam’s scent had a hold of me. He was dressed simply. Crisp white shirt, navy pants, tan belt, and matching leather shoes. The shirt hugged him in such a way that it revealed the perfect shape of his muscles. I definitely didn’t need scissors this time.
The ceremony continued, and it became difficult to sit still when every time he shifted in his seat some part of us would touch. I fanned myself with my hand until Cam returned the program to me.
“If everyone could please stand while I present Mr. And Mrs. Greg Bilson,” the minister said. Everyone stood and clapped while the newlyweds kissed and walked down the aisle, smiling and radiant. Once the guests started to file out, Cam stepped out of the row and waited for me.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you, so do you,” I said with a wide grin. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “The thought of you dying at the singles table was too much for me to bear.”
“How long can you stay?”
“Long enough to make sure you get home okay, unless Phil is coming to pick you up.” He met my eyes, curiosity softening his gaze.
“Phi … how do you …”
“Foster.”
“Ahh, right.” I tucked a stray hair back into the bun at my nape. “No. Phil and I are just friends. I’d love to go home with you.”
Both his eyebrows arched.
I pinched my nose. “I meant, I’d appreciate a ride home. I mean, I need a drink, do you want a drink?”
Cam’s expression brightened. “Absolutely.”
The guests meandered to a pop-up cocktail hour area where they could socialize and enjoy a drink and some shade while the bridal party took pictures. Elegant, low-profile lounge furniture in neutral tones—cream, taupe, and soft desert pink—were arranged in intimate clusters, inviting guests to relax as they sipped on signature cocktails garnished with fresh sprigs of rosemary and citrus slices. The polished stone bar, set against a backdrop of massive agave plants, gleamed in the setting sun.
Cam and I settled at a table toward the back of the garden. The burgundy tablecloths swayed around us with the calming breeze.
“What can I get you to drink?” I asked.
“I can get them,” Cam said.
I put my hand up, stopping him from pulling out his wallet. “It’s the least I can do.”
“That’s okay, I’m the one who owes you, remember?” He handed me thirty bucks. “Vodka tonic and lime for me, and leave the rest as a tip.”
“Same for me.” I turned on my heel. “Be right back.”
While I was waiting in the drink line, I had to text Emily and Laura.
This just in … Cam showed up to Alison’s wedding. I actually have a plus one.
Text bubbles from both immediately popped up.
Emily
I want every detail.
Laura
Screaming! Can you just hit record on your phone so we can eavesdrop on this entire night? Can you come over after??? This is so exciting.
Emily
Unless you end up going home with Cam … maybe we should just talk in the morning.
I released a nervous sigh. While part of me wanted to surrender to his every touch, I knew that would mean this jittery dream of the attraction phase would be over, and then we’d be left with awkward glances in the morning as he hustled for the door.
He might take me home, but I’m not going home with him, okay. I’ll call you both later.
Laura
Do us a favor and do NOT call us later. I hope you’re busy.
I finally got to the bar and ordered our drinks. When I made it back to our table, I saw Cam texting on his phone, a cocktail napkin in front of him on the table with a few scattered crumbs on it.
“Oh, fhank you,” he said, his mouth full of something.
“You’re welcome.” I smiled, handing him his drink and taking a sip of mine. “By the way, if they’re serving shrimp canapés, don’t eat them. I know a guy who works in the kitchen here, and they say that there’s always some questionable ones that still make it on the plate that aren’t cooked enough.”
Cam stopped mid-chew, his eyes widening.
“Oh no,” I said. “You didn’t.”
Cam swallowed and took a long pull of his drink. “Uh, this information would have been helpful before you left.”
“How many did you eat?”
He shrugged. “I lost count after five.”
“Oh my gah.”
“I couldn’t help it. I’m starving.”
“It’s fine. It’s fine. This is fine.”
“They tasted good.”
“Sure,” I said, taking another sip of my drink and realizing I had drained half of it. “Thanks again for coming.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, wiping his mouth. “You’re going to have to make this up to me, though.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Make this up to you? This was you owing me for picking out a gift for your mother that I knew she would love.”
“I never actually agreed to that bet. But since you needed me to do you a favor by being your plus one, and since I decided to agree to that, now you have to do something for me.”
My look of surprise turned to a scowl. He put his hands up. “Nothing like that. I have a wedding that I need a plus one for.”
“ You need a plus one?”
“That’s right.”
“But you still don’t want to ask me out on a date?”
He hung his head and rubbed his neck. “I …” he met my eyes again. “I need a plus one for this wedding. I wasn’t planning to attend, but it’s my cousin’s wedding and it’s important to my mom that one of us go.”
“She can’t?”
He shook his head. “She has a big conference.”
“Where’s the wedding?”
He paused. “Cayman Islands.”
I’m sorry, what? This man can’t even ask me to dinner, and he wants me to go to the Cayman Islands with him? “Uh …”
“Think about it. It’s in two weeks.”
I was thankful that people were starting to gravitate toward the dinner tables so no one would see me gaping at Cam.
“You don’t really know anyone here?” he asked, finishing his drink already.
“Uh, no. Just Carol, the lady you have a thing for.”
“Oh, yes, I’m going to get up the nerve to ask her to dance tonight.”
I laughed. “I’ll try to distract her husband so you can steal her away.”
This time, Cam got us a round of drinks before we took our places. Carol was busy flitting between tables, but she soon zeroed in on me and the handsome GQ model I had in tow. She wrapped me in another warm hug.
“Oh, my dear, wasn’t it wonderful?” Carol beamed.
“It was perfect. Alison was beautiful,” I said as we released.
“Oh, and I’ve seen you in the store, Mr. … Nash,” Carol said.
Cam smiled when Carol pulled him into a hug. “Yes. Great to see you again.”
“So happy you could come. Rachel and I have worked together for years, she’s the best.”
“I agree,” Cam said, his eyes smoldering with heat, making me feel like I just opened an oven to pull out dinner.
We took our seats at a table with various friends of the bride and groom. We shook hands, made some casual chitchat, and sat back as the festivities kicked off. I looked at Cam, who seemed to be enjoying the conversation with the man sitting next to him. When I glanced back over to him a few minutes later, his expression had changed, and the faintest beads of sweat dotted his brow.
“You okay?” I whispered, nudging him.
He nodded though the corners of his mouth downturned. I tried to focus on the best man’s speech when a low rumble sounded next to me.
I looked around as did the woman sitting next to him. Cam’s hand went to his stomach as a gurgle sounded.
Oh no.
Cam brought his fist to his mouth and his normally tanned skin paled. “I think I’m going to be sick,” he whispered.
Yep.
The shrimp.
Every. Damn. Time.
Another gurgle got the attention of the couple sitting across from him.
“Are you okay?” the woman asked.
He nodded and swallowed.
I nudged him and he looked at me. “Are you going to …?”
He only nodded again and scooted out of his chair, making a beeline for the hotel. I remained through the next few speeches, and after the bride and groom began to cut the cake, I decided it was a good time to go look for Cam.
I hustled to the nearest restroom and opened the door a crack. The faucet gushed and then someone pulled out several paper towels. I stepped back from the door as the ghost of Cam emerged.
I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. Even bloodshot eyes and a pasty, sweaty face didn’t diminish his hotness.
Seriously? How is that possible?
“I’m taking you home and then I’m going to die,” he said, putting his hand on the wall in the hallway.
“Wrong. I’m taking you home,” I said. “Where are your keys?”
“I valeted and no, you are not.”
“Give me your ticket,” I said. “You shouldn’t drive like this.”
“Kicklighter—”
I held out my hand, insistent. “Ticket.”
He pursed his lips, rifled through his pocket, and slammed the ticket in my hand before dashing back into the bathroom. By the time his Rubicon was brought around, Cam had reappeared, lurching out of the lobby holding his stomach. I tipped the valet and helped Cam into the passenger seat. He groaned and leaned his head back. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but I’m afraid it’s going to fall on you to make my funeral arrangements.”
“I learned this same painful lesson last year. Now, where do you live?”
He buried his head in his hands. “Turn left out of here.”