Page 81 of See You Again
“Nothing. Just surprised to see Justin here.”
“Gerry mentioned it when he came by today—how you were taking me to extremely romantic restaurant.” Her brow furrowed. “I guess Justin thought it sounded like a good idea.”
“He came by your office?” James’s chest burned.
Cami muttered something under her breath and fiddled with her napkin.
“What?”
She sighed. “Madison and Gerry are convinced Justin has a crush on me. I don’t think it’s true. He just doesn’t have a lot of friends, and we’ve known each other for so long.”
James studied her. Did she really not see it? “He’s dating a woman who looks just like you.”
Cami’s lips parted. “No, she doesn’t!”
James nodded, his lips twitching at her outraged expression.
Cami swiveled in her seat and then spun back around when her eyes collided with Justin’s, who was still watching them.
“I can’t believe you looked,” James teased.
“We’re both short and have dark hair… But that doesn’t mean anything.”
If James wasn’t so irritated, he’d think her look of confusion was adorable. “Did he ever ask you out?”
“What?” Cami’s eyes were vague, as if she were a million miles away.
“Justin. Did he ever ask you out?” James kept his tone even, but pieces were clicking in his head, forming an ugly picture. His heart pounded against his ribs, his anger building.
Cami shook her head. “We were friends. It was never like that.” But her voice was unsure, and she snuck another look over her shoulder at the other couple.
“He’s playing the long game.”
“I think you’re reading more into it than there is.”
James grunted, but dropped the subject when their dinners were placed in front of them. He didn’t intend on letting Justin Garrett intrude on his time with Cami.
She regaled him with the latest Jax story while they ate, and he was surprised to find himself laughing.
“Why mulch?”
Cami’s shoulders shook with laughter. “I have no idea, but Madison said it’s like catnip to him. He walks, or I should say staggers, right for it every time we go to a playground. It only takes a second before he’s got a piece of mulch in his mouth trying to eat it like a potato chip.”
“That’s a vivid image.”
Cami shook her head. “Madison has her hands full.” Her expression clouded.
“What is it?”
Cami grimaced. “You said you listened to the episode… I know you said you weren’t a fan?—”
“I was being a dick.”
She smiled. “You were, but it’s okay. You wouldn’t know, but normally Madison talks more.”
“You did a great job.”
Her eyes brightened before dimming again. “The reason I’m taking the lead on this one is because Madison is facing a potentially nasty custody battle with Jax’s bio dad. She’s worried that, with Matt Crawford’s reach, he could hurt her in some way. Hurt Jax.” Her eyes glistened, and James’s stomach clenched. He reached across the table and interlaced his fingers with hers, and she gave him a small smile. “It would kill Mads to lose him.”