Page 101 of See You Again
“Matt.” Dahlia’s smile was tight. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Why not?” He toasted her with a glass.
How should she handle this? She might not get the opportunity again, but Cami also didn’t want a confrontation at Kip’s big event. “Despite how you and your boyfriend’s family have tried to smear my name, I still run a successful movie studio.”
Dahlia’s eyes narrowed.
“Mr. Crawford! I’m so glad I ran into you!” Cami gushed.
Matt looked at her fully for the first time, his eyes slowly traveling over her and lingering on her cleavage before meeting her eyes and smirking. “Do I know you? Are you an actress?” His smile became predatory, and Cami kept her smile in place.
“Not yet. I run a podcast. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you to do an interview.”
Matt peered at her face clearly trying to place her. The moment he did, his expression turned menacing, and he took a step closer until she could smell the tequila on his breath. “You’re that bitch who’s harassing me. Making up lies. I’m going to ruin you.”
“How can I be harassing you if I’ve never spoken to you before?” Cami asked sweetly. “I’m just trying to get your side of the story. I know you met with Amy Hawthorne the week of her disappearance. I wanted to see what you remembered about her.”
Matt’s mouth twisted. “Keep it up, and I’m going to own you before this is over. Insinuating I had something to do with…” Little flecks of saliva formed at the corners of his mouth.
“Our lawyers assure me that the law is on our side. I’m only trying to paint a picture of who Amy was in her last days. You spent time together. What did you think about her?”
Matt took another step forward, until his toes were almost stepping on her feet. He loomed over her, and Cami was forced to tip her head back to maintain eye contact. A vicious smile twisted his lips. “You want to know what I remember about her? She was a fucking cock tease.” His lip curled as he glared at Dahlia. “Like most women.”
Venom rolled off him as he spit the words. Dahlia drew breath to say something, but appeared to decide against it. Instead, she smiled at Cami. “He’s not worth it.”
Matt barked a laugh but stepped back. “Why am I not surprised you bitches are friends?”
Dahlia widened her eyes innocently. “Didn’t you hear? Cami and James Bloom are a couple.”
Matt Crawford sucked in a breath, and his face turned a shade of purple that was anything but healthy. He jabbed a finger in their direction, his jaw working back and forth before he whirled and stormed away.
“Was it something I said?” Cami kept her tone light, but the interaction had unsettled her. The rage on Matt’s face was frightening. Was this the last thing Amy saw?
“Did James tell you about…”
“He’s filled me in on his family’s suspicions, yes.”
Dahlia’s eyebrows flew to her hairline. “See. I told you he was serious. The only thing the Blooms are tighter-lipped about than their feelings is their family. If he’s shared that with you…” She gave Cami a knowing look. “Plus, the way he looks at you is disturbingly similar to the way Luke looks at me. You’re coming to lunch tomorrow, right?”
Cami nodded. James had told her that after the week of press his siblings were anxious to meet her, and they could use the opportunity to ask questions about Cami’s former case.
A group of fans approached, and Cami took a step back so that Dahlia could greet them. She cast her gaze over the tightly packed crowd but couldn’t spot James. She had never been to a restaurant opening, but this certainly wasn't what she had expected. It felt more like a club than a restaurant. She shook her head as a server offered her a lambchop shaped like a lollypop.
“It’s getting crowded in here.” A familiar, deep voice complained in her ear. “Let’s find Kip so we can leave.”
“I saw him over by his kitchen. We have to wait until he gives his big speech. Besides, I can’t abandon Madison without saying anything.”
“Have you seen her?” James turned, his height giving him an advantage over the mass of people.
“I thought I saw her by the bar.” Cami said, craning her neck. “She’s still there. Talking to some guy. We should probably go rescue her. She’s not interested in dating while Jax is little. Though if ever there was a man worth breaking a rule for, he might be it.”
James tensed next to her. “Why don’t you wait here? I’ll get Madison and bring her over to you.”
Cami tilted her head back. “Why? What’s wrong?”
He dipped his head so that only she could hear the words. The swirling in her stomach from his warm breath caressing her skin meant it took a second for her brain to catch up.
“He’s in the?—”