Chapter Eight #2
“He’s ruined,” Nikki confirmed. “No crops, no cash, and according to Sally’s divorce lawyer, no prenup protection either.
Turns out, the if you cheat, you pay clause was real.
She’s walking away with half the business and the Porsche.
” She turned to me. “His only chance is to find a wife with some land and some family money, so word around town is that you’re his next meal ticket. ”
I blinked. “Do you think he would be so self-deluded as to think I’d take him back?” I stopped myself. “No, you’re right. He actually might be. The man’s connection with reality is strenuous at best.”
“Agreed,” Nikki said. “But knowing all this and knowing how much your mom pushed you toward him gives you more reasons to make it work with Cam.”
Lily frowned. “Wait. Your mom wants to force him on you even though he cheated on you?”
I shook my head. “No one in my family knows about the cheating. I couldn’t tell them. And you know what? It doesn’t matter anymore. It turns out Sally did me a favor by saving me from marriage to Neil. I just want to focus on the future. If that includes Cam… God, I hope it does!”
They grinned at me. “Show us the dress. Ange couldn’t shut up about it.”
I led them to the bedroom, peeling off my sweater and stepping into the royal blue stunner. When I came out, Lily actually let out a low whistle.
Nikki blinked. “Damn. Okay, I was going to make a joke about you looking like a sexy coroner, but you’ve skipped straight to Bond Girl.”
“I know, right?” I smoothed the dress over my hips. “This bra deserves a lifetime achievement award.”
Nikki rummaged through her purse and pulled out a velvet box. “Speaking of awards, I have something for you.”
Inside was a set of sapphire and crystal jewelry so stunning it looked like it came with a security detail.
“Are you kidding me? This looks like it was stolen off the Titanic.”
“Well, pretty close actually,” Nikki said. “My aunt Emily had it custom-made after becoming emotionally compromised by Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s high-end costume—no real jewels, sadly—but it would take an expert to spot the difference.”
She clasped the necklace around my neck while Lily fussed with my hair.
“That teardrop sits perfectly in your cleavage,” Nikki said, admiring her work. “Physics is finally doing something useful.”
I admired the stones reverently in the mirror. “These are stunning, Nik, but… I can’t take them. It’s too much.”
“You can and you will. They deserve a night out. And so do you. Besides, you know these are not my style. I never wore them, and there’s no point in them lying in a box forever.”
I turned to her and hugged her tight. “Thank you.”
“Make sure they witness some action,” she whispered into my ear.
Lily stepped in next, handing me a business card. “Call Mr. Pierre tomorrow. He’s my stylist. Tell him I sent you, and he’ll fit you in. Get a trim, a blowout, maybe a bit of color. Let them zhuzh you. You deserve to feel like a goddess.”
“You guys are unbelievable,” I said, swallowing past the sudden lump in my throat.
“We know,” Nikki said. “Now go try on the nightie in the pink bag.”
As I returned to the living room, I peeked inside the bag and nearly passed out. Red lace, satin sheets, scented massage oil, condoms in a variety pack the size of a cereal box…
“Oh my God,” I whispered. “What is this? A Vegas bachelorette suite starter pack?”
“Just a little encouragement,” Lily said sweetly. “And a reminder to wax everything.”
Nikki added. “And don’t worry, I threw in a discreet pamphlet about safe sex and body positioning. Some angles are just better for circulation.”
“Okay, wow.” I blinked. “You guys have too much time on your hands.”
Nikki stood. “Some of us spend all day dissecting cadavers. This is how I unwind.”
“Anyway,” Lily said, slipping on her coat, “we just wanted to check in before your big date. I have to drive Nikki to the morgue.”
I followed them to the door. “Thank you, guys. I seriously don’t deserve friends like you.”
“Sure you do,” Nikki said, smiling as she adjusted her scarf. “For your sins. Have fun.”
“Safe fun,” Lily added.
The moment they left, I set the bag on my bed and debated whether or not I was emotionally prepared for its contents. I was just about to peek when my phone rang again. It was Cam.
My first thought was that he was calling to cancel. The rejection was coming, and I was wearing a nightie with the tags still on.
I tried to keep my tone neutral as I answered. “Hello?”
“Susanne, it’s Cam.” Even his voice was sexy, low and deeply male but without being overpowering. Just right.
“Hi. What’s up?”
“Just calling to check if we’re still on for Saturday. I made reservations at Nick’s Steakhouse.”
I let out a relieved breath and relaxed my tense muscles. He wasn’t calling to cancel! He was calling to inform me he would take me to one of the best restaurants in New York.
“Then we’re definitely still on,” I said.
I could hear the smile in his voice. “Were you waiting for my restaurant pick to decide if you’re going out with me?”
“Let’s just say I was curious. How is your sister-in-law doing?”
“She’s okay. She’s exhausted from trying to use the crutches all the time, but she’s getting really good at it. Sebastian is going to Houston on a work-related trip for a month or so.”
“Any luck in finding a new apartment?”
“Not yet, but I can’t say I’ve been looking seriously. Work has been very busy.”
“Do you have many people dissatisfied with the software?” I joked.
“My rate of satisfaction is pretty high.”
Oh, my… This was top notch flirting. I remembered his friends words about Cam’s horse-like equipment, and the room started to feel extremely hot.
“How’s your week going?” Cam asked. “Any more food fights?”
“Not yet, but my students rarely hit twice in the same way. Today they were fighting over who gets to play the serial killer in their group skit project. It’s disturbing how many of them want the role.”
He laughed—a rich, throaty sound that caressed all of my senses. “A lot of kids are fascinated with the morbid at that age.”
“Oh yeah. Seventh and eighth grade: the golden age of hormones, misplaced confidence, and zero impulse control.”
“Any trouble with the software?”
I wedged the phone between my cheek and shoulder and started digging through the pink bag. “None, but I’ve hardly used it after the update.”
“If you want to meet after school on Monday, I can give you a virtual tour of what we’ve improved.”
“Sounds good. Do you want me to ask other teachers to join us?” I felt obliged to ask, but I crossed my fingers he would say no. I didn’t want to share him with anyone else. Probably that’s what every serial killer thought about their victims.
“That’s up to you,” Cam said. “I’ve always been a fan of the ‘train the trainer’ method.”
I took a short black nightie out of the pink bag. I could picture him training me while I was wearing this, and he wore nothing at all.
It took me a moment to remember I had to say something. “Sounds perfect to me.”
“I’d better let you get to bed.”
“I’m in bed already.” I studied the mega pack of condoms the girls had included in my seduction kit. They were preparing me for a sex marathon!
“Fuzzy robe and a DIY facial?”
I narrowed my eyes at his teasing. I could tease too.
I dipped into my best sultry voice, hoping I sounded like a seductress and not like Vinnie, our family cat back in Warwick, hacking up a hairball under the dining room table. “Actually, I’m wearing a tiny black lace nightie and lots of scented body lotion.”
He swallowed. Twice. “Good to know. I’ll let you… go to sleep. And I’ll go take a cold shower.”
“Try not to flood the bathroom. See you Saturday.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven. Goodnight, Susanne.”
There was something so sexy about the way he said my name, I felt a tingle warm the inside of my thighs.
“Goodnight, Cam.”
I set the phone on my nightstand, letting out a huge sigh, my bed strewn with the sexy items my girlfriends had put together for me.
I was blessed in many ways. I still couldn’t believe I was going out with this gorgeous man.
And come to think of it, I wasn’t even lying to my parents.
Meeting Cam at school next week could be considered another date, especially if it were just the two of us.
If I played my cards right, this would only be the beginning of a not-at-all-fake relationship.