Page 46 of Among the Stars

The traditional rehearsaldinner had been changed to a brunch due to the morning run-through, and Veronica couldn’t think of any way to get out of it. To Cam’s credit, he agreed to tag along, though after the bride and groom had insisted, he’d been left with little choice.

Jesse’s parents were staying at the very posh Hotel 404—courtesy of their future son-in-law—and the party moved to the hotel’s namesake restaurant across the street. Jesse’s maid of honor was her former duet partner, Taylor Roper. Veronica didn’t know her well, but she quickly learned that the aw-shucks persona was not an act. The two women seemed to have overcome the differences that had ended their collaboration earlier in the year, and Veronica envied their easy camaraderie.

“When exactly did you two meet?” Ash asked, putting Cam and Veronica on the spot.

What had they told her parents again? “After Thanksgiving?” she asked him.

“Before Thanksgiving,” he corrected, clearly remembering their story better than she did.

“You seem like you’ve been together longer than that,” Jesse observed.

Veronica leaned against Cam’s shoulder. “It feels just a few days to us.”

“Speak for yourself,” he said and whispered in her ear, “Check your phone.”

The waiter arrived with their meals, giving Veronica time to follow his order. Slipping her cell from her purse, she spotted the notification for one unread text message. Opening the app, she read the note Cam had sent her.

I want you naked.

She tucked the phone against her chest and cut a what-the-hell glare his way. The man had the nerve to look innocent. Or as innocent as a sex god could look. Veronica checked the time on the message and realized he’d sent it during the rehearsal. A strong hand slid into her lap and dipped into the space between her thighs. She squeaked, gaining the attention of the rest of the party.

To cover, she shooed an imaginary bug. “Stupid flies.”

There were no flies in the middle of winter, and definitely not in this fancy restaurant, but no one called her on the lie. Conversations resumed, as did Cam’s hand up under her skirt.

“What are you doing?” she mumbled behind her phone. His hand gently massaged her thigh.

“You’re hard to resist,” he replied. Their food appeared before them, and he removed his hand. When she didn’t pick up her silverware, he leaned toward her. “The sooner we eat, the sooner we can leave.”

Oh, yes. Doing her best to ignore the wetness of her panties, Veronica dug into her scallop toast. Thirty interminable minutes later, the check was paid—all by the groom except for hers and Cam’s. Her date had refused to let Ash pick up their tab. The valet brought Cam’s car around, and they quickly made their escape.

“Isn’t your place closer?” she asked, anxious to fulfill his text message request.

“I have company.”

First he had a cat. Now he had company?

“I’m going to need more information on that.”

The BMW drew to a stop at the light. “My sister’s in town.”

Now he was just messing with her. “You said you don’t have any family.”

“Technically, I don’t. We aren’t blood-related. Janie moves around a lot, and now and then, she shows up. She got into town Friday night.”

“Then she would have been there if I’d come over last night.”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t that have been awkward?”

Cam shook his head. “She hits the bars at night and sleeps all day. I doubt you would have seen her.”

So, now there was a mysterious cat and a mysterious sister. The man was full of surprises.

“Can I meet her?” she asked, holding her breath. Telling her about his past was one thing. Letting her meet someone from it was another.

“She’s coming to the club tomorrow night. I’ll introduce you then.”