Page 40 of Not That Into You

I turn to look at him. “For what?”

“For my family.” He frowns. “I didn’t think they would be quite so antagonistic. Their comments were unacceptable.”

I sigh. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”

His brow furrows. “That doesn’t make it okay.”

No, it doesn’t, but for once, I have no desire to needle Cameron. He seems genuinely upset with his family’s behavior. Giving his hand a quick squeeze, I realize it’s on my thigh, and our heads are bowed close to each other. My breath falters as I watch the concerned look in his eyes change to something else, something warmer. Awareness zaps between us, and for a moment, I forget where we are.

Until Grace asks, “Monica, what do you do for work?”

We pull away from each other, and I clear my throat. “I’m a graphic designer. I do freelance work.”

“Freelance work?” Cameron’s father asks.

“Yes. I work for myself.”

“How do you make money?” he asks.

I cock my head. Really? “I have a number of clients. They hire me to do anything from website design to branding.”

Grace smiles. “Working for yourself must be nice.” She glances at her father, and her smile broadens. “I wouldn’t mind not having a boss.”

He grunts before giving her a sly look. “One day, you might become the boss.”

“Please. Everyone knows Archie is the heir apparent.”

Mr. Stanhope shrugs. “You never know.”

I glance at Cameron to gauge his reaction. I hadn’t considered both his siblings would also work at The Stanhope Group, but it makes sense. Shouldn’t he be considered for the top job as well?

“Where is Archie?” Cameron asks. “Shouldn’t he be here?”

“He’s still at the office,” his father says.

“I thought our attendance tonight was mandatory.”

“Not all of us have time to socialize. Your brother is attending to his responsibilities.”

A muscle ticks in Cameron’s cheek as I suck in a breath at the censure in his father’s voice. I get the sense there’s no pleasing either of his parents and certainly not both at the same time.

Hoping to pull attention away from Cameron, I ask the first thing that comes to mind. “Grace, what do you do for work?”

“I’m legal counsel for The Stanhope Group.”

“Soon to be Chief Legal Counsel,” Mr. Stanhope adds.

She smiles smugly. “Yes.” She lifts a brow at her father. “And maybe one day CEO?”

He shrugs. “We’ll see.”

I try to look impressed even as I silently berate myself for once again drawing attention to Mr. Stanhope’s obvious favoritism. Though I’m not sure which would be better—to be pitted against a sibling or be summarily dismissed. I glance at Cameron, but his face is devoid of expression. He drains his wine before signaling for a refill.

As I pick up my glass to take a sip of wine, his grandmother shouts, “What’s for dinner?”

Startled, wine sloshes over the rim of my glass, landing in my lap. I sigh, unsure of how I’m going to make it through the rest of the meal.

Chapter 12

---