Page 4 of Among the Stars
Once established in a stable job and making steady money, circumstances often changed for several employees. Cam had lost track of how many weddings he’d attended in the years since he’d opened his first venue in Chicago, and budding families abounded. He’d even had a brief engagement of his own since opening the Nashville location, but the relationship hadn’t lasted long enough to reach the altar.
“Maybe that’ll be you next year,” Cam said. Kyle and Trina had been dating for several months. Both were hardworking and deserved a good life.
The valet crossed his arms. “I don’t like to think that far ahead.”
Cam didn’t blame him. He knew only a fraction of the young man’s story, and little about it had been positive. Maintaining any kind of hope after a lifetime of disappointment was difficult at best.
“You and Trina have a good holiday.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Kyle gave a quick salute before trotting down the alley and disappearing around the corner of the building. Cam’s white button-down offered little protection from the cold as he hurried around to the driver’s side. After cranking the heater, he put the black sedan into motion and made a left onto 4th Avenue headed toward Korean Veterans Blvd.
Cam supposed that if there was ever a night to play good Samaritan, Christmas Eve was it. Though a glance at the clock on the dash reminded him they’d rolled into Christmas Day two hours ago. Would Janie be at his place? His much younger step-sister made occasional visits, always unannounced and never for long.
Last he’d heard, she was in Colorado working at a ski resort. Janie wouldn’t be surprised to find him bringing home a stray. Cam had done so many times over the years, though never a grown woman wearing a slinky red dress revealing legs that went on for miles.
Someone has to be missing her.
He entered the roundabout and veered off onto 8th Avenue, curious about the man his passenger was trying so hard to forget. Had he cheated on her? Then again, maybe she’d run him off. Been too needy, too bitchy, or too unfaithful in her own right.
Cutting his eyes to the sleeping beauty beside him, Cam’s instincts told him she’d done none of those things. But he’d been wrong about a woman before.