Page 80 of See You Again
Her tone had his antennae up. It was too casual. “Were you hurt?”
“Just shaken up.”
James frowned. Something had dimmed her light, and he didn’t like it. He attempted to draw her out on the car ride, but she only emitted monosyllables, staring at her phone in her lap, occasionally typing out a text. James pulled his car around to the valet and took her stiff arm in his.
Was it Crawford? She would say something, wouldn’t she?
The intimate candlelight of the Italian restaurant, contrasted sharply with her absorption with her phone, reminding James that this wasn’t an actual romantic date.
“It’s surprising the servers don’t trip.”
Cami’s unfocused eyes lifted from her phone.
James tried to squash the flare of annoyance. “Even if it’s a fake date, you’re supposed to pretend you want to be here with me.”
Cami blinked at him and then sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. Its… It’s been a rough couple of days.”
James’s brow furrowed as a cloud crossed her features. “Anything in particular?”
“We got a…” she said, making air quotes, “…firmly worded letter from Matt Crawford’s lawyer this afternoon, threatening us with slander. I’ve been back and forth with our lawyers all day. I was just reading their latest email. They’re confident he doesn’t have a case.”
James watched as she toyed with the base of her wineglass, a frown on her face. That wasn’t all that was bothering her. Something in her expression had all of his protective instincts surging to the surface.
After a few seconds, her eyes lifted to his. “I guess I’m just worried…” Her words fell away, and her jaw dropped open as she stared at something behind him. James swiveled, half expecting to see Matt Crawford.
The years had been generous to Justin Garrett. He paused at their table, his arm hooked through the elbow of the petite woman next to him. James’s eyes scanned up and down the couple, realization hitting him like a hammer before his gaze returned to Cami’s. Her shock was gone, and she was smiling at the couple.
“Justin, Layla. This is a coincidence.”
Manners dictated James come to his feet, but one look at Justin’s face told him that their old study partner’s presence on their date wasn’t a coincidence.
“Wow, James Bloom. It’s been a long time.” Justin’s voice was friendly, but his eyes were hard.
“It has.” James extended his hand. There was a split-second delay before Justin shook it. Not enough for anyone else to notice, but James had seen the look in Justin’s eyes.
James smiled at the woman next to Justin and cast his eyes toward Justin, who was staring at Cami. “You must be Layla,” he said, after an awkward moment when James didn’t introduce her.
Justin gave a forced laugh that was a little too loud for the intimate setting. “Layla. Yes. Sorry. Not sure where my brain went.” He tapped his temple, and Layla’s confused eyes darted up at him.
James looked pointedly from Cami back to Layla, before meeting Justin’s eyes with a knowing smile. Justin’s lips tightened at the corners.
Cami caught the exchange and frowned. Her voice was a shade short of friendly when she said, “I didn’t realize you were coming here tonight.”
Justin chuckled. “When you mentioned the romantic restaurant Bloom was taking you to, it inspired me.” He squeezed Layla’s waist. “I thought I should spoil my girl, too.” Layla beamed up at him.
Cami’s expression relaxed. “That’s sweet.”
“We should…” Layla lifted her chin to where the hostess was waiting by an empty table.
Justin raised his eyebrows. “Or we could pull up a couple of chairs. Have a double date.” Layla’s face fell.
“Maybe another time,” Cami said quickly.
Justin clearly looked like he wanted to linger, but Layla tugged his hand. “It was nice meeting you. Enjoy your night.”
James retook his seat, his gaze immediately going to where Justin sat ten feet away facing him. As he expected, Justin’s eyes were still on them.
“What’s wrong?”