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She slides into one of the tall chairs. “Well, my boyfriend broke up with me last week, and...” Her voice trails off, and I see the pain in her eyes. “It’s just that this city is so big, but it’s so lonely sometimes. I’m totally jealous of all the connections you have, and I’m so appreciative that you took the time to hang out with me tonight.” She smiles. “So, I’m going to try really hard not to be a downer tonight.”
My lips part. I’m shocked by what I hear. “Oh, there’s nothing to be jealous about here.” I reach across the table and grab her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I recently learned that all that social media stuff doesn’t really mean anything. When I was in Colorado, I had terrible service, so I didn’t have a lot of access to it. And that’s when I realized no one really cares.”
“I care,” she says, squeezing my hand back. “I know I could be a better friend. I just ... I thought you were probably bombarded with people trying to hang out with you and man, the high-profile clients you have. I figured you were surrounded by friends all the time.”
“Quite the opposite.” I laugh, but it’s empty. “But you’re not the only one to blame. I could’ve been a better friend to you, too. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant. And if it makes you feel better, I’m totally lonely and heartbroken tonight, too.” I don’t know why I’m offering my heart. Maybe it’s because I’m getting tired of keeping people at arm’s length all the time.
And I want the kind of friendships that Cameron has.
“Oh no, is it your ex-boyfriend? I saw that you guys broke up...”
The bartender appears, taking our drink order. We both order Shirley Temples, and as soon as he scurries off to make them, I let out a sigh.
“It’s not my ex,” I tell her. “It’s someone completely new. I just ... I just can’t see myself getting into a relationship when I’m this focused on my career.”
She nods slowly. “I guess I get that, but you know ... what’s the point of having a successful career if you don’t have someone to share it with? I know it sounds silly, but...” She hesitates, pursing her red lips. “I just don’t think that we were meant to spend so much of our lives alone.”
“Yeah, but I can only imagine how a relationship might go. I mean, I think he even got a little jealous over Garrett Norris—I can’t have that. It’ll make work so hard,” I complain, but something about the words makes my stomach tighten...
Like I’m not telling the truth.
“Garrett Norris would make any man feel a little insecure.” She sips her drink as soon as it’s set in front of her. “I swear, I think he might be the poster child of what women want in a man.”
I crinkle my nose. “Minus the playboy thing. I don’t find that very attractive.”
He’s also not nearly as handsome as Cameron.
But I shouldn’t compare them.
“True.” She nods. “That pretty much spells trouble, honestly. I think I’d still give him a chance, though—let him take me on his jet and fly me around the world.”
I shake my head and burst into a giggle. “Well, if there’s a party, I’ll definitely bring you as my plus-one. We’ll see if we can make a night happen for you. I mean, talk about a way to make your ex-boyfriend wish he hadn’t dumped you!”
“Oh, he’d be calling me up and begging me to take him back,” she muses, flipping her ponytail. “But for real, who’s the handsome guy you turned down?”
I hesitate. “I don’t think I should say.”
Her blue eyes grow wide. “Oh. My. Gosh. Please tell me it’s the hockey player you helped. Please.”
I purse my lips and look down at my red drink. I haven’t taken a single sip. It reminds me of the nonalcoholic wine I split with Cameron. Ugh. Everything reminds me of him.
“It is!” she squeals. “I can’t believe you turned him down.”
“Me either,” I mutter, looking up at her.
The impish smile on her face instantly falls. “Oh, Nila.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry. You’re really torn up over it, aren’t you?”
I shrug, trying to play it off.
But as I gaze into Brittany’s eyes, all I can think about is the hole in my chest and the devastation I felt when I left Cameron at the airport.
“Yeah, maybe it hurts more than I thought,” I admit, swallowing my wounded pride. “A lot more.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cameron
“Nila did a great job with your social media pages,” Frankie praises as I settle into the leather chair at the table. “And I know that Sarah will continue to do well posting and managing the engagement.”
