Chapter 5
Cam entered the restaurant with less than half the enthusiasm he had yesterday. Last night, he’d been eager to sit down with Emma and learn what she was willing to reveal about herself to a stranger. Tonight, he prepared to dine alone, something he’d done most of this past week, but now it held a disappointment compared to before.
He’d knocked on the door across from his whenever he got back to the hotel after work, but no one had answered. He didn’t bother going to his room before knocking. He hadn’t realized how much anticipation and hope he’d built up until only silence answered at Emma’s door. Shoving all thoughts on the matter down, he crossed to his room, changed into something more casual then headed for the restaurant before he could give it much thought.
The feeling of disappointment was still gnawing at him, especially when the unwelcome thought popped into his mind that she’d probably already checked out and he wouldn’t see her again.
That tightness lifted the moment his eyes caught the raven-colored hair at the bar and made him do a double-take.
“Excuse me,” he said to the host who was leading him to a table, never taking his eyes off the woman across the room. “But I’m going to sit at the bar instead. Thanks, though.”
He switched paths and cut through the tables before he’d even heard the host’s response. Instead, he was focused on Emma. She was waving goodbye to a woman twice her age who was vacating the seat beside her, a couple of empty glasses still in front of the stool as Cam approached. He took what felt like his first deep and refreshing breath since leaving the hotel this morning as he closed in on her, noticing the way she leaned back in her chair, relaxed, one arm draped over the back, a leg crossed over the other and bouncing to its own rhythm. She radiated endless energy and vibrance, he thought, finally arriving at her side.
“Is this seat taken?”
Emma felt his arrival before she heard his question. Her breathing paused, her leg going idle. Then she quickly resumed her laidback appearance. The truth was, she’d been relaxed chatting with the woman she had met, but something about Cam’s presence made her tense–no, that wasn’t it.
“No. By all means, please have a seat,” she said. She’d spent last night in a goofy smile back in her room after dinner, a part of her having wished Cam did have more intentions than a platonic dinner. She shook her head, erasing those thoughts like she did last night. She had enough on her plate, and if he was interested then he would’ve said as much, but he probably knew better than to get wrapped up in the likes of her and her crazy soap opera.
Cam signaled the bartender and requested a beer before turning in his seat to face the woman next to him. “I wasn’t sure if you’d already be gone or not. I know you said this weekend, but I didn’t know if that started tonight or tomorrow.”
Was that a hint of relief in his voice? “No,” she laughed. “One more night. I leave in the morning.”
“Ah, yes.” He nodded. “Me too.”
She looked at those blue puppy dog eyes of his, wondering how he didn’t have an entourage of women trying to claim him.
“Are you ready for your reunion?” he asked casually, not wanting to face the knowledge they both left tomorrow, unsure why he was even thinking that.
Emma took in a big breath, moving forward to take a drink of her white wine before placing her arms on the bar. “Not even a little.” She touched her phone screen to check the time. “In fact, it’s taking place any minute.” She turned her head to the entrance.
“Oh,” Cam said, following her gaze. It was amazing to see this confident and radiant woman in a twist of nerves. “Here?”
She nodded, not looking too enthused. “It’s a sweet gesture since I’ve been gone for work all week, but I’m not as tired as they probably think. It would’ve been nice to go somewhere new tonight.”
She continued to stare at the entrance while he took her in, a small part of him wishing she didn’t have plans so he could fulfill that wish. The bartender came over with his beer and he turned toward the man and thanked him.
Emma turned back toward the bar too, though her body remained sideways to make it easier to look in the direction where her party would arrive. “I came down here because I was going to walk a hole in the floor.”
He laughed, his eyes dropping to that once again bouncing leg, and as if she saw where his attention went, her leg stopped and she uncrossed them and sat up straighter, letting out a laugh as she did so. “Is it super obvious I’m nervous?” she asked.
Cam gave her a small smile. He could lie, but what would be the point? She didn’t seem like the type who’d buy it. “A little,” he confirmed.
“So much for thinking the wine would take the edge off.”
He looked at her glass and then at her. “I think you actually have to drink it for that to happen.”
Emma looked at her wine and realized the glass was still half full. She’d been so immersed in her conversation with the woman who’d just left, that she hadn’t touched it much. “Fair enough,” she said, grabbing the glass and holding it up in between them. “Here’s to not embarrassing myself and proving that I don’t need anyone’s pity. I’m doing just fine.”
Cam grabbed his beer and clinked it with her glass. “Here’s to your happiness,” he said, swearing a small blush tinged her cheeks. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. Before he could find out, he heard the quick approaching of shoes and an enthusiastic voice.
“Emma! Oh my gosh!”
Cam swore the women moved quicker than jungle cats as they embraced one another in a tight hug, one on the ground and Emma half out of her chair, her wine still in one hand. He reached up and took it from her, not that she noticed as she squeezed her friend tighter.
As they let one another go, Cam’s head snapped back, the realization of how familiar that voice had been finally hitting him.
“Lulu?”
“Cam?” she returned, in equal astonishment. “What are you doing here?”
Emma glanced from one to the other in pure confusion. “You know each other?”
“We work together,” they said in unison.
Before any more could be said, more footsteps approached and Cam found himself at a loss, turning his head from Lulu to the older man behind the couple walking their way. His head tilted in question.
Lulu let out a sigh. “My dad,” she offered.
Her dad? Henry Davis was her dad? Her last name was Lockwood and no one at work ever mentioned anything. He’d never seen them act in anything other than a professional manner. Then again, maybe that was on purpose.
“Few know and I’d like to keep it that way,” Lulu said politely, if not a bit sternly.
He nodded in understanding. It wasn’t his information to share, nor did he care for workplace gossip. From the times he had worked with Lulu, he could guess that she wanted to build a name for herself without others contributing her success to her father’s role. He could respect that.
“Cam, I’m surprised to see you here.” Henry’s voice was like a steady boom through the air. “How do you know our Emma?”
Cam was now standing and opened his mouth to answer, but Emma cut in before he could.
“He’s my boyfriend,” she said in a rush, sidling up next to him. “We’re dating.”
Her words and sudden affection as she slid her arm in between his and patted it comfortingly with her other hand had him in a daze. What was happening? What the hell was Emma doing?
He had to tilt his head down to look at her, noticing the desperate plea in her eyes and the big, yet tense, smile she gave him. It felt like an eternity in that moment, having to choose how to respond. From the little she’d told him, he knew Henry was like family to her but he was also Cam’s boss. He didn’t want to humiliate her nor did he want to lie. He already felt as though if he denied her statement, it’d make him look bad in front of his boss and colleague.
Before he could respond the other woman’s shrill of excitement sliced through the air, breaking his focus on the pleading brown eyes staring up at him.
“Aw! This is so exciting!” The other woman, who he presumed to be Lauren, was coming at him, her arms spread wide and bringing him into a hug before he could react. “It’s great to meet you,” she beamed, releasing him and glancing between him and Emma. “How long have you two been dating?” she asked.
Cam had met many fake women in his life, and considering the small details he knew about Lauren now dating Emma’s ex, who was standing there taking them in like a solid piece of stone, he would have normally figured the woman was a snake. But in his gut, he knew it was sincerity and happiness emanating from Lauren as she smiled at them wholeheartedly.
“It’s fairly new,” Emma said, which Cam was relieved for because he had yet to restart his brain and know how to respond.
Lulu quirked a brow at them both, but quickly fell in line, probably coming to her friend’s rescue no matter how much she didn’t buy this scheme. “Well I’m just glad you found a good one,” she offered, giving them both a smile.
Cam only nodded and then remembered his manners. “I know Lulu and Henry,” he said. “And I’ve heard nothing but great things about you both,” his head turned toward Lauren, then Asher. “I’m Cam.”
“Asher.” The man stuck out his hand and Cam shook it. “And this is Lauren.” She once again offered him a kind smile.
“Great to meet you both,” he said, then he added, “I was just telling Emma I didn’t want to keep you all. I know you have big plans. I just wanted to catch her before your meal.” He noticed Emma’s shoulders relaxed, which were once again rolled back, her head high, and that confidence radiating about her again, all of which he found impressive since he knew how she had just panicked and was nervous about this dinner.
He turned to bid her farewell and make a quick escape but that plan died before it began.
“Nonsense,” Henry bellowed. “Join us for dinner. Anyone who is a part of Emma’s life is always welcome,” he continued. Then, as if sensing Cam was about to make an excuse, he added, “Besides, it’ll be nice to get to know you more. I enjoy learning all about the people working for me.”
Cam didn’t know if he should be intimidated by the smile that followed those words or not. He mentally assured himself that Lulu and Lauren received their kindness from their father. Yet a small part of him knew better than to do anything but accept the invitation.
He nodded and smiled. “I’d be honored.”
“Great,” Lulu said. “Because I’m starving.”
“Didn’t you eat lunch?” Henry asked, his voice having turned to that of a concerned father versus the force of a boss Cam knew him as. “We had it catered today. There was enough to send leftovers home with everyone.”
“Every time I headed in that direction someone needed me.”
He let out a laugh. “You have to learn to say no sometimes.”
She shook her head and turned toward the entry where the host was standing. “Yeah, yeah. Now let’s go get our seats.”
Cam let the group lead the way, placing his hand on Emma’s arm to stop her before she could walk off.
She looked up at those blue eyes again, noticing the puppy dog appeal had been replaced with the likes of a protective German Shepherd. And that protection was likely for his skin and career rather than hers at the moment.
“What are you doing?” he growled.
“I panicked,” she whispered back.
“You dragged me into it.” He let out a sigh, trying to remain calm. That was his boss up there.
“It’s just one dinner,” she said. Emma’s hands landed on his shoulders, her voice begging. “Just this dinner then I’ll be gone and you’ll never have to see me.”
“I work with them, Emma. That’s my boss, and Lulu and I are colleagues.” He shook his head. “It’s not that easy.”
She squeezed his arms for emphasis, acutely becoming aware of the solid rock beneath her hands and dropped them. “I know, I know. I had no clue you knew them and I didn’t mean to bring you into it. I’ll tell them I dumped you and spin it so I sound like the horrible one.”
That honestly didn’t make him feel any better. He didn’t need people she loved to think less of her. He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and to think when he felt her swat his arm down.
“Don’t do that. They might see. We need to look like a happy couple.” She was pretty sure that what sounded from the back of Cam’s throat was an angry grunt. She didn’t give herself time to think about it. “Please,” she tried.
Cam stared at her, his eyes searching hers for answers, but to what questions he didn’t know. “Why?”
“Why what?”
He sighed. “Why’d you lie?”
Emma paused. She couldn’t believe she claimed Cam was her boyfriend in that moment of desperation, but she had. Her mouth was speaking before logic could enter her brain. She met his gaze and answered. “I’ve spent my entire life being pitied. My parents died when I was young, and then I moved in with my aunt who was nothing but brightness and love, but it never stopped the look that entered people’s eyes when they realized.” She swallowed. “I saw that look in their eyes when they saw me. I don’t know how to put it into words but I guess I don’t want them thinking that I think my self-worth is less just because my ex-boyfriend chose Lauren.”
She hadn’t admitted that out loud before. It was a complicated mess of emotions that she felt regarding this situation, but it was the best way she could put it so quickly.
She was happy that two people she cared about found happiness, but it didn’t stop the sting that they found it together and now here she was feeling like the outsider around people who she used to bring her ex around.
Emma looked up at Cam with a startled expression whenever he wrapped an arm around her waist and began after the group. “What are you doing?”
“Making it believable,” he replied.
Emma didn’t want to admit to herself how thankful she was for this man she’d only met the day before.
But when he quietly said so that only she could hear, “He only chose her after his first choice said no,” she felt a whirlwind of emotions wrap around her spine and then her chest.