Chapter Twenty-Seven
When I woke the next morning, the anger was still there—a sour, bitter weight that clung stubbornly to my chest. I padded quietly into the kitchen, relieved to find the house empty of Cam.
His jog had taken him elsewhere, and I wrapped my hands around the ritual of making coffee, letting the familiar motions settle my nerves.
I could not comprehend his behavior last night.
How dare he act as though I owed him some ancient loyalty to his ego, especially after all the things he was doing?
He’d never forbidden me to seek out my own happiness in this arrangement.
He couldn’t. That was the whole point—we were supposed to be open. And it had not even been my idea.
I was still working over all the shapes of that injustice when I heard, distantly, the front door shutting. Cam’s footsteps sounded down the hall, then into the kitchen. I kept my gaze on my latte, pretending I didn’t notice him at all.
He slid into a chair at the bar, voice soft. “Will you make me a cup? I never get them to taste right.”
I said nothing, but reached for the bag of beans he liked and started loading the machine.
“Still mad at me, huh?” he tried, just a thread of hopefulness in his tone.
I ignored him, busying myself with cups and the slow time of the coffee brewing.
He gave an abashed little sigh. “I know I acted like a jerk last night. I realize you weren’t on a date. I know you’d never do that—I was being stupid.”
I looked over at him, raising one brow. I could tell him the truth, set him straight, or I could just let him think that. Would it matter? It would all come out the same in the end. At least this way, I didn’t have to put in the emotional labor.
I slid his coffee across the bar to him, the mug clattering softly against the countertop.
“And how are you going to make it up to me?” I asked.
He paused. “Is there anything in particular you’d like to do?”
“I’d like you to give me some answers.”
He inhaled sharply, exasperated. “God, Livi, can’t you just let things go?”
I shook my head. “Not this. I don’t understand why you’re keeping it from me. What could possibly be so bad? Are you afraid I’ll leave you if I know?”
For a moment I let myself spiral through the possibilities. Maybe her boyfriend or husband or whatever was blackmailing him and we were slowly spiraling into debt and he was too ashamed to talk about it. What else could frighten him so badly?
“It’s not bad,” he finally said, and I was caught off guard by that.
“What?” I took a sip of my coffee, trying to process this shift. “So it wasn’t bad, but you still missed our anniversary for it?”
He raked a hand through his hair, frustrated.
“I’m just explaining this all wrong. At first, I thought it was bad, but then I started seeing other possibilities.
I just—I want to work out the details first. This might actually turn out really good for us, Livi.
Will you trust me? Please, baby? Just trust that I’m working on something big, for us. ”
But how did you trust a man who’d been lying to you? How did you move on from this, really? I could already feel the shadow of doubt, heavy and persistent, threatening everything we had ever built together. I wasn’t sure what was left of us—or even who I was, anymore.
Cam stirred first, breaking the silence. “I’m taking the day off.”
I blinked at him. “What? Why?”
He looked at me, determined. “Because I want to spend time with you. I want to make up for last night. Let’s get out of the city, just the two of us—a little B I’d missed us, the way we used to be before all the fractures began to show. Maybe, for a weekend, I could pretend we were still that couple. Maybe that would be enough.
“You want to go right now?” I asked, testing him.
He nodded. “Why not? Did you have somewhere else you needed to be?”
My mind raced. I’d have to call off work, and I didn’t want to tell Cam I had a job, but I wasn’t sure how to get around this. Maybe Nate could cover for me. He usually did.
I tried to sound casual. “No, I just wanted to stop by the bookstore. There’s a new release I was looking forward to.”
Cam’s eyes narrowed, searching my face. “That’s not a problem. We’ll swing by on the way out so you can pick it up.”
Panic hit, a rolling wave in my gut. No way could Cam and Nate cross paths. No way.
“That’s okay,” I said quickly. “I’ll just get it next week. It’s not urgent.”
Cam pressed on. “But you always read before bed on trips. Are you sure?”
I shrugged. “I’ll find something else. I’ll go pack.”
“We’ll stop at the shop,” he persisted, the decision already made. “It’s on the way, and honestly, I’d like to see the place you spend so much time in.”
He held me in his gaze for a moment—a challenge—and then he was gone, heading upstairs. As soon as his footsteps faded, anxiety tumbled out of me in a desperate whisper. I patted my pockets for my phone, only to realize it was still upstairs. I had to warn Nate. Fast.
Upstairs, Cam ducked into the shower. “Join me?” he called.
“No, I’m still good from last night—I’ll start packing instead.”
As soon as the bathroom door shut, I lunged for my phone, fingers flying over the screen. Nate picked up after three rings, his voice as calm as always.
“Hey Livi, what’s up?”
“I’ve got a problem.” I didn’t have the patience for pleasantries.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
I ignored the new endearment and gave him the highlights about last night’s fight.
“So now,” I concluded, “he wants to take me out for the weekend. Not only can I not come in to work, but he’s insisting on following me to the store to pick up this book I don’t even want!”
I paused, breathless. There was a beat of silence, and then Nate actually laughed.
I bristled. “What could possibly be funny about this?”
“No need to panic,” he said, gentle amusement in his voice. “I can cover for you. And you can stop in and buy a book—it’s really fine.”
“But Cam already suspects you,” I insisted. “I can’t have you two in the same room. He’ll know.”
Nate was unruffled. “He’ll know what?”
“That we’re sleeping together!” I hissed into the phone.
“Livi, you’re overthinking. He’s not going to magically put it together just by seeing me. Unless you give something away—which you won’t. You’ll just act normal. Like any other customer.”
“You don’t get how jealous he can be. Or how physical.”
Nate’s tone sharpened, a little edge to it now. “Livi, your husband doesn’t scare me. And need I remind you that you’re in an open marriage? That was his idea. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”
“I know that. But it doesn’t matter. He is jealous anyway.”
“So what’s your plan, just keep lying to him? Let him think you’re innocent while you’re not? Is that what you want, to live a lie just to keep him comfortable? Or are you hoping that if he ever wants to stop all this, he’ll still believe you were faithful, that you never touched another man?”
It was a harsh truth. But he was right. Cam had pushed for this, and if he was man enough to want it, he would have to face what it meant. My silence was my own answer.
“You’re right,” I said eventually, exhaustion seeping in. “I shouldn’t have to hide this. But I can’t deal with it right now, okay? Just… if you see us, pretend it’s nothing. Just for a while. Please, Nate.”
He hesitated, then relented. “If that’s what you want.”
“Thank you.” I barely got the words out before Cam strode from the bathroom, damp and wrapped in a towel, all sharp edges and heat. I hung up, tossing the phone on the bed.
Cam fixed me with one of his speculative looks. “Who was that?”
“Rachel,” I blurted, instantly convicted by the lie.
He raised a brow, unconvinced. “Bit early for Rachel, isn’t it?”
I shrugged, recovering. “She’s on a kick lately. Her new boyfriend has her doing all sorts of things, even getting up early.”
He seemed to accept that, humming as he looked around. “I thought you were packing?”
“Sorry, got distracted.”
I ducked into the closet, pulling out the suitcase.
Cam took it from me, hauling it onto the bed with effortless strength.
Water still glistened on his skin, trailing down to the towel around his waist, and I couldn’t help noticing the way he looked.
So beautiful, so much mine—even if that claim felt less certain now.
He caught my stare, all sly grin. “See something you like?”
“We should pack,” I managed, fleeing back into the closet.
When I returned, he was frowning, watching me as I stuffed clothes into the suitcase with no real plan.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” I replied. “Just ready to get out of here.”
∞∞∞
By the time we arrived at Timeless Treasures, my nerves were strung tight. I hated the idea of Cam seeing this place. This was my safe haven, my secret, my escape from the fractures in our marriage. I didn’t want Cam tainting it with his presence, or ruining it with his jealousy.
Nate was stocking books when we walked in—the bell over the door chimed, the only sound in the early morning shop. Cam’s eyes immediately landed on him.
“Is that him? Nate?” Cam asked.
I nodded, and watched the relief wash over his face as he sized up Nate. He looked almost smug; certain Nate was no threat.
I bristled for Nate’s sake. Cam couldn’t see the things that mattered: the quiet kindness, the empathy, the way Nate listened, actually listened. Cam could steamroll through anything with confidence and muscle, but when had he ever slowed down to really understand me?
Cam tried to hide his impatience. “Where’s this book you wanted?”
I made a beeline for the romance section, grabbing the first book in any series I saw. I kept as far from Nate as possible, hoping to avoid any kind of scene.
Cam wandered, inspecting the shop with casual curiosity. “So this is where you spend your time?”
I ran a hand over the cover of the book I’d selected, searching for composure. “It’s peaceful here. I like the big window, especially when it rains.” I pointed to the couch by the window, remembering the hours I’d spent curled up there, lost in words and the sound of raindrops.
Cam’s gaze drifted back to Nate. I could see the gears moving, something unsettled in his eyes.
“This is all I need,” I said, finally making my way toward the register. Cam trailed after me, not letting me out of reach.
Nate greeted me with a bright, innocent smile. “How you doing, Livi? Is this your big brother or something?” He winked at Cam and my heart nearly stopped. Of all the times for Nate’s sense of humor.
Cam answered flatly, “I’m her husband, Cameron.” He thrust out his hand, the greeting ice-cold.
Nate shook it, barely holding back a grimace. Cam’s grip had gone just a little too tight—a Neanderthal display.
“Husband? Ah, nice to meet you, Carlisle. Livi practically lives here, you know. She loves that old couch.”
I handed over the book, silently pleading with Nate not to overplay it. He disappeared into the back, leaving me to stew in awkward silence.
Cam’s voice was low and loaded. “Interesting how a store clerk knows you well enough to call you by a nickname. Or to have your phone number.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re being jealous again. Nate is just a friend. I spend a lot of time here, obviously we talk.”
“Talk about what?” he pressed.
I didn’t have to answer. Nate emerged with not just my book, but a fresh latte.
“Here you go, Livi, just the way you like it.” Nate’s smile was luminous. “On the house.”
As he rang me up, I could feel the temperature in the room dropping. Cam watched every move, storm brewing in his eyes. Nate either didn’t notice or didn’t care.
“Oh, sorry, Mr. James,” Nate added, feigning politeness, “I didn’t realize you’d be here. If Livi had mentioned you were coming, I would have made you something too. I could now, if you’d like?”
Cam’s lips barely moved. “No, thank you,” he gritted out. I could see the way his hand curled into a fist. “We should get going. I’m taking my wife away for a romantic weekend.”
He grabbed my hand, almost possessive, and strode to the door. I shot Nate a last, helpless look before he vanished from view.
Back in the car, the silence was suffocating. All my anger and humiliation bubbled up at once. At Cam’s jealousy, at Nate’s reckless game, at myself for being caught in the middle.
The city whipped past as Cam drove too fast, his jaw set.
“Could you slow down, please?” I asked, my voice tiny.
“What the fuck was that, Livi?” He didn’t look at me, his grip white-knuckled on the wheel.
“He was just being friendly.”
“That wasn’t friendly. He’s into you.”
That caught me off guard. I expected Cam to accuse me of cheating, not just to be jealous of the idea.
“No, he isn’t.”
Cam slapped the steering wheel, frustration boiling over. “He is. I can see it. Why haven’t you ever told him you’re married?”
“I have,” I said, the words true enough. Nate absolutely knew.
“Funny. Seems like he forgot that detail. How many lattes does he make you every week?”
“I don’t count, Cam. He’s just nice.”
“Because he wants you,” Cam shot back, his temper rising. “I don’t want you going in there anymore. I’m serious.”
My heart thudded. I couldn’t just walk away from Timeless Treasures.
I loved the atmosphere—the work, the coffee, the people.
I liked having Mr. Porter around, and I liked the comfort of being with Nate, even if only as a friend most days.
Especially on Thursdays, when I let myself want more.
I couldn’t give that up just because Cam was suddenly insecure.
Not unless he was suddenly ready to give up his side of things, too.
I set my jaw. “I like it there. It makes me happy.”
He shook his head. “That guy is going to try something with you. I’m not having it. No more bookstore. Buy your books online, or pick some other shop.”
I folded my hands in my lap, refusing to let this go. “I like it there,” I said again, steady now. “I like Mr. Porter. I like the coffee. I’m not going to stop.”
He tried to cut through my resolve. “Livi,” he warned, but I was already done. I cut him off.
“Let’s not talk about it now. Can we just… get through the weekend, please? I don’t want another fight.”
Cam let the silence fester between us. He was used to me folding, giving in—but I wasn’t going to. Not about this. I needed something that was just mine, untouched by all the damage he’d done.
And I needed the paycheck. It was becoming more and more obvious how fragile everything was between Cam and me. I might need Timeless Treasures even more, when things finally, inevitably broke apart.