Page 11 of See You Again
“Eighteen.”
“Can I get one of those, too?” She smiled at Annie.
The bartender poured the drink and, with a curious look at James, left them alone.
“Are you going to sit down or keep hovering?”
Her smile still determinedly in place, Cami climbed onto the tall bar chair next to him. She closed her eyes and took a small, appreciative sip. She gave a small hum of pleasure as the smoky flavor filled her mouth. Scotch of this quality was typically out of her price range to order at a bar, and she didn’t drink enough to justify spending so much on a bottle to keep at home.
When her eyes opened, she noticed that James was breathing a little harder, his long fingers flexing on the glass in front of him. Watching James out of the corner of her eye, she was overly conscious of how his broad shoulder was only inches from hers, heat radiating off him. There were small lines at the corners of his eyes, and stubble had formed along his strong jaw, tempting her to test how rough it would feel against her fingertips. Desire bloomed low in her belly before she shook her head, laughing at herself.
In college, Cami had an entire library of fantasies that revolved around James. Studying him when he sat next to her in class, or in the low light of the television in his apartment when they had a late-night movie marathon. Fantasies she’d never been brave enough to act on.
Like many of the women at their school, Cami had a massive crush on James. If she were honest, she had been more than a little bit in love. But as the son of a billionaire, and destined for a glittering future, he was way out of her league.
Throughout their senior year, she had kept her feelings locked away, too afraid to risk their friendship by telling him how she felt. Until she’d finally… foolishly… allowed her heart to rule her decisions only to find out she’d been right.
One date had destroyed everything.
Cami didn’t realize she had sighed until she heard, “Is something wrong with you?”
His tone didn’t sound concerned—he sounded like her mere presence irritated him. Which was in complete opposition to how well he’d played along for Kip.
What is his deal?
“Nope. Just sitting, sipping scotch in silence.” Cami gave him an exaggerated smile, pushing the old hurt back into its box, but apparently she hadn’t done a good job at hiding her sarcasm.
“You came up to me. I did you a favor.”
“Very true. But that favor saved you from those ladies.”
James opened his mouth, then closed it again with a dark frown.
“How about we say we helped each other?” Cami kept her tone light, hoping to coax a smile out of him, but he only grunted.
Cami took another small sip of the smoky liquid. “You never used to be this grouchy. I mean, you had your moments, but you used to be fun. Old James would have thought our little charade was funny.”
“And you apparently still live in a cotton candy bubble full of rainbows and unicorns… No one is really that naïve, Cami.” His words sounded as if they were coated in acid.
Why is he so angry? If anyone has the right to be mad, it’s me. He ghosted me after being a total dick!
Cami’s chest burned, and her throat thickened. She didn’t want the bitter man in front of her to replace the memories of the James she had known. Cami pushed her glass away and signaled to the bartender that she wanted her bill.
“What are you doing?” James’s eyes traveled from her to where Kip was still laughing in the corner.
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
“They’re still here.”
“If they even notice, I’ll say I had to go.” Cami fished in her purse for her wallet.
“Put it on my room,” he instructed Annie.
“Absolutely not!” Cami waved her hand higher.
However, James must be a regular customer, she thought, because the bartender was doing everything she could to avoid looking in their direction.
James caught her arm, pulling it down. “You’re making a scene.” He hissed. “It’s just one old friend buying another a drink? You don’t need to be so dramatic.”