Page 25 of Things We Tell Ourselves

“Oh, it’s not all that odd for women like her to dress differently.”

“Women like what?”

She doesn’t say anything for a moment. He knows, surely, he knows, but the longer he stares, the less certain she feels. “Wealthy, eccentric women.”

“Yeah, well, you might be right, but I wouldn’t talk too much about her in front of my mom. She’s always been particularly sensitive when it comes to Nancy. They’re like sisters.”

Camille nods, wondering just how close Nancy and Leah are if her son doesn’t even appear to know Nancy’s preferences. She wonders if maybe she misheard her. There’s no point in bringing it up with him. She’s already enough of an outsider, an outsider who somehow stumbled her way into the heart of the elite.

They’re finishing up lunch when Buck appears. “Ms. Bloom wanted me to let you know Easton has arrived.”

Eight

“Christ,” Wade mutters under his breath.

Camille glances up as she follows him outside. “What is it?” she asks, following his gaze to the garage. A low-profile, black sports car parks in front of the first garage bay. Buck, who was waiting outside of the gate, walks up to the driver’s side door.

“He bought another car.”

Camille hangs back while Wade walks up to the back of the car. Reflective lettering from the rear license plate catches her eye. She clamps a hand over her mouth as she stifles a laugh. White shining letters at the top of the custom license plate reads ‘Wade Sucks.’ The words glitter in the reflective sunlight. She is about to ask Wade if he noticed it when the car doors lift up.

Tan, muscular legs emerge. An early twenty-something man wearing flip flops, khaki shorts, and a black, deep V-neck t-shirt, complete with a long brown rope of a necklace, climbs out. Wade smiles, walking up to him with his arms out wide.

“Bout time you showed up.”

Easton grins, walking into his brother’s open arms to give him an equally big bear hug. He comes up a few inches shorter than Wade. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

As they release each other, Easton eyes Camille, a frown passing over his features. It’s gone a second later. Wade doesn’t notice, turning from him to wave her over.

“This is Camille Lee.”

She walks up to them, smiling politely. “Nice to meet you,” she greets, not sure if she should offer him her hand.

He closes the space between them. “The pleasure is all mine,” he replies, giving her hand a peck.

Wade grins. “Slow down, cowboy. We can’t afford for you to scare her off. You’re looking at one of the up-and-comers in the medical field. We’re hoping to have her on the team by the end of the weekend.”

“That’s a relief,” Easton says, letting go of her hand. “I thought I was going to have to spend the weekend ignoring the constant moans of a new fling.”

Camille freezes, staring straight ahead between the two of them. Wade doesn’t bat an eye.

“Mom flew Camille in yesterday.”

“That’s great,” Easton waves the comment away, turning toward the car; his interest in her already waning. “Mom’s always loved empowering women. What do you think about the car?”

Wade takes a deep breath before looking the car over. “It looks like you’re blowing through your trust fund.”

She holds back a snort. It’s true that a car like that costs more than most peoples’ homes and yearly salaries.

“Aw, come off it. You should be proud of me. I bought it used out of Singapore.” Easton runs his hand down the back of the matte black sports car. “It’s a McLaren P1 carbon series. I got it off the boat last night.”

As Buck leans inside the driver’s side, something catches his eye, and he pops up. He clears his throat, looking at Easton. “There’s a woman in your car.”

“Yes,” Easton confirms, stepping lightly around the car to the passenger side. He holds his hand out. “Are you done with your lipstick, dear?”

Buck, Wade, and Camille crane their necks to see the well-manicured hand that floats out of the passenger side, taking Easton’s. “I am.”

Easton looks over at all of them. “Allow me to introduce the love of my life, Sadie Quinn.”

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