23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nila
I’m pacing. Yeah, pacing .
My mind keeps playing up these awful situations that end with Cameron getting into serious trouble—which makes no sense. I just signed an NDA under the notion that everything that happened would be kept under wraps.
Yet, I’m still worried about him.
I sigh and pull out my phone. It’s within the approved window of communication, so naturally, my phone is pinging with the typical social media notifications. They’re mostly just likes and comments on Cameron’s profile. I haven’t posted anything on my account, and honestly, I don’t think anyone has even noticed.
A lump threatens to form in my throat if I dwell on it too long, and thankfully, I don’t have to. My phone starts vibrating against the palm of my hand.
I glance down at the unknown New York number.
Normally, I don’t answer calls I don’t recognize, but I’ll take the distraction today.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Nila?” a deep, sultry voice says on the other end.
“It is...” I begin, slipping into the bedroom and shutting the door—as if I need the privacy. “May I ask who’s calling?”
“This is Garrett Norris. I own Vibrant Tech.”
My brows shoot up, thinking of the big-time business guru in New York City. Almost everyone has heard of him—or seen him. My acquaintances drool over the tall, dark, and fun-loving CEO. “Your name sounds familiar.”
“Good, then maybe it won’t be weird if I tell you I need your services.”
What could he possibly need my help for?
“Oh? What can I help you with?” His personal social media account has tons of followers, and he has no problems with engagement.
“Well, I’m starting up a new company, and I’d really like for the launch and accompanying social media campaign to go as smoothly as possible. I’ve heard you’re the best in the business—and you’re the one who did the big cleanup for Cameron Hastens, the Glaciers’ center, right?”
“Yeah, that’s me.” I can’t hide my smile. “I’m definitely interested in working with you, Mr. Norris. When do you need me to start?”
“Oh goodness.” He chuckles. “You can call me Garrett. I don’t like formal names. I always picture Chuck Norris in a suit—and no, we’re not related.”
I giggle at the stilted joke. “Okay, Garrett, I can do that. But when do you need me to start? I’m not in NYC right now.”
“The sooner the better, really. I’m ready to hire you as of yesterday. When will you be back?”
“Oh...” My voice trails off. “It might be a couple of weeks...”
“Man, that sucks. Is there anything I can do to get you here sooner? I’d really like to get you acquainted with the team before we launch.”
“Let me see what I can do. I’ll try to get back to you by tomorrow—at this time—if that works for you?”
“Are you still working with Cameron’s team?”
“Um, yeah, I am—”
“Oh perfect, I can give Frankie a call. I’ve known her since I was a kid. She did a lot of work for my father. She’s who recommended you.”
“Oh ... okay,” I say, forcing my voice to be much brighter than how I actually feel.
I don’t want to leave here yet .
“I’ll see what strings I can pull. In the meantime, I’ll email you all the details, and then we can go from there?” He chuckles at the end, and I force myself to give a light laugh. “Have a good evening, Nila. I’m sure working with Cameron is a trip. I’ve read the stories. I won’t be nearly as difficult, I promise.”
With that, he hangs up, and I’m left feeling a little defensive about the whole thing.
Why does it feel as though everyone is after Cameron?
After everything we’ve been through together, I know without a doubt that he’s not the man the media has portrayed him to be.
He’s not a fighter … he’s a protector.
I toss my phone to the bed, the thud of it landing against the comforter filling the silence for a split second. There might be almost two hours left of call time, but I have zero interest in using it. Instead, I sit on the edge of the bed and zone out on the bedroom door.
And more than ever … right now, I miss my gran. She would know what to do—and she always encouraged me to be a romantic.
I smile to myself as the moisture fills my eyes. I used to be a romantic before I pushed everyone who cared about me away.
She’d probably tell me love is worth it, if only for who chooses your nursing home.
I laugh to myself and blot the rogue tear away. She was always the life of the party, and I’m pretty sure she’s where I got my charisma from. Everyone loved her. She had strong ties to the small town, and when she passed, I think almost everyone showed up.
I squeeze my eyes shut and clutch my necklace.
What would you do about Cameron, Gran?
“Nila?” a voice calls from the other side of the door. “Are you in here?”
My eyes flutter open and I jump to my feet. I open the bedroom door and step into the living room. Cameron is standing a few feet away, and his head whips in my direction.
“Hey,” I say, giving him an awkward wave. “I should—”
“No,” he cuts me off and rushes to me. “Before you say anything, I have to apologize. You were right, I didn’t think about what I was doing in the moment. All I knew was that I needed to protect you from the jerk yelling at you—and in hindsight, I could’ve backed off. Maybe not crowded him so much. He would’ve never swung at me had I stayed back. And I’m going to work really hard on being less reactive and more mindful in these types of situations in the future.”
I swallow hard, my heart fluttering in my chest at the sincerity of his words.
Why is he so freaking sweet?
“But...” His voice trails off as he grabs my hands. “You should know that I don’t regret standing up for you—and I know you accused me of making it a show, but that’s not what it was, Nila. I just ... I protect the people I care about. It’s who I am. And I care about you.”
I can’t help it. I smile. Warmth radiates from his touch, and the pull to get lost in him grows.
He searches my face, concern filling his eyes. “I’m sorry—”
My lips cut him off as I stand on my tiptoes, pressing my mouth to his.
No one ever apologizes to me, but Cameron did.
He groans as I nip at his bottom lip, and his hands thread around my waist, pulling me into his body. His arms wrap tightly around me, and his tongue dives into my mouth, reminding me of the spark between us. I ache for more of him, feeling as though I’m deprived...
But then his phone rings.
He breaks the kiss, letting out a sigh. “Who could possibly need to call me right now?” Cameron rests his forehead against mine and then digs the device out of his pocket.
I glance down, and my stomach knots up. “It’s Frankie.”
He leans in to kiss me again. “I’ll call her tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “You better answer it. What if...”
He frowns but hits the answer button. “Hey, Frankie.” Cameron puts the phone on speaker and leaves one arm threaded around me.
“Hey you.” I won’t lie, her happy tone is a relief. “So, I don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but Dr. Shadid left a raving review of you. His statement was seriously a chef’s kiss. It’s brilliant. Just what we needed.”
Cameron and I exchange a glance. “Uh ... I guess I haven’t seen the statement,” he says carefully.
“Oh, right. I forgot that you’re cut off from the world out there. Here, I’ll read it to you.” She clears her throat. “Cameron Hastens has been a pleasure to have here at the Western Slope Retreat. As I’ve gotten to know him, I can say that he is of no threat to society, and if anything, he is fiercely loyal to those that he cares about. I believe this is a man who would go to war for the people he loves. That’s a rare quality in society today, and he now understands that physical escalation isn’t the answer. However, defending his loved ones and teammates is an admirable quality.”
“I guess that sounds nice enough.” Cameron chuckles, shrugging his shoulders. “So, what’s the big deal?”
“You get to come home!”
My heart drops as I look up at Cameron, who’s gazing at me. We both know what this means. My job is over. And I can’t help but wonder if Garrett Norris had something to do with the convenient timing of it all.
He probably gave Frankie the idea to push for a statement …
“We’ve got your flight booked for tomorrow. That’ll put you home in time for the last two games of the season. I think everyone would like to see you there. ”
“That’s amazing,” Cameron replies, though he avoids my gaze as he says it. “I can’t wait to be back and on the ice.”
I slip from his grasp and head for the bedroom door. As soon as I’m inside, I grab my phone, noticing two new notifications. One missed call from the same number that called me earlier, and then a text when I didn’t answer.
I swipe to open it and sigh.
I was able to speak with Frankie and have arranged a flight for you out of Atlanta to come back to NYC. You did a phenomenal job with Hastens. Can’t wait to have you on my team! I’ll give you a couple of days to get settled back in the city, and then we’ll meet up to discuss.
My lips purse as I type back a quick “thanks” and then lock my phone screen.
This means I have one more night with Cameron. One. That’s it.
I plop down on the edge of the bed and peer out into the living room, where he’s still speaking with Frankie. They’re talking details for his arrival home...
And I won’t even be there for it.
I’ll be jetting back to the city to take on a new client.
My heart feels torn, and I realize this is why we could never work. I have to build my career and Cameron has to keep playing hockey. We can’t be together. It would just end in heartbreak.
I can’t handle any more heartbreak .
I set my phone on the bed and wait for Cameron, wondering what he’ll have to say once he hangs up with Frankie. They speak for a few more minutes, and then, finally, he appears in the doorway.
“You hiding from Frankie? Or are you just that excited to cuddle with me tonight?” Cameron shoots me a wink, his voice bright.
“I probably should shower first,” I tell him as he takes a seat beside me, his warm hand falling on my knee. “We have a long day tomorrow.”
He nods, though his expression falters. “Yeah ... yeah, we do.”
“One more night together,” I say, looking up at him.
His warm irises search mine. “One more night, and then we go back to normal life. That doesn’t mean we have to act like we’re never going to see each other again.” He chuckles, squeezing my knee slightly.
“Right,” I tell him.
I open my mouth to say something more, to tell him that I have to fly to New York as soon as we arrive in Atlanta, but Cameron cuts me off with a heady kiss.
It’s desperate and passionate.
And I think he might already know.
I can’t have Cameron and my career.