Page 25 of Charming Deception

His eyes pinch, like maybe he wants to punch Cole in the face, just a little bit. “He’s leaving for LA in the morning.”

“What?”

“He has a commercial shoot for one of his endorsement deals. And meetings. And women. You know.”

Yeah. Unfortunately, I know.

But Cole didn’t tell me.

He told me over the phone to come stay with him in Vancouver, but he didn’t tell me we’d be living with his best friend, much less that he’d be flying out the next day. He gave me a whirlwind introduction to his best friend, a job, and tried to make me feel welcome.

And now he’s leaving me here.

That’s so like Cole, I actually laugh out loud.

Although, if he’d told me… I might’ve hesitated to come, right?

I can see why he didn’t.

Something unreadable passes over Jameson’s face in the wake of my laughter. Then he tops up my champagne in silence, as maybe it sinks in for both of us.

He’s stuck with me, more or less.

And I’m just… stuck.

What can I say except… “Thank you.” I take another deep swallow of champagne. Might as well get drunk?

Jameson’s blue eyes burn into me as he settles back in his chair. The word penetrating was invented for this man. I’ve never been eye fucked so casually in my life.

I swear, it’s the same look he gave me in the street.

I didn’t imagine it…

I try not to return the look, but it’s hard. I’m not even sure what my face is doing, he’s got my wires so tangled.

“Your yard is incredible.” I try to make conversation; the only thing I can think to offer is a compliment or three. “I don’t just mean the gardens. And you have private beach access?”

“The beach is public. But, yes. You can walk straight down there. There’s a locked security gate at the bottom of the stairs. Clara can give you a fob so you can go in and out.”

“Oh. Thank you. Um, is that North Vancouver?” I point at the glittering homes on the mountainside across the water.

“That’s West Vancouver. North Vancouver is more to the east.”

“That’s… confusing.”

“Well, North Vancouver is north of Vancouver. But so is West Vancouver, really. It’s northwest.”

“Okay. And what is that line of lights floating in the dark, above the houses?” It looks like it’s partway up the mountains, but I can’t tell. It’s getting so dark, the mountains are becoming indistinguishable from the sky.

“That’s one of the ski hills. Black Mountain. My family owns the resort, actually.”

I try not to look at him. It’s so much more awkward sitting so close to him without my brother here as a buffer. “You own the ski hill?”

“Just the resort at the top. It’s more of a chalet, with a restaurant and bar, shops.”

“I see.” I sip my champagne, considering that. “Can we see anything else you own from here?”

I’m joking. But he points in the direction of the sparkling stretch of downtown, over to the far right of the view. “Vance Tower. My sister lives there. The big one with the red lights on top.”

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