Page 52 of Among the Stars

She hadn’t seen Cam in two hours. When asked, Veronica had claimed that business downstairs demanded his attention. No one batted an eye at the excuse for why her date had disappeared.

“Another white wine, please,” she said to the bartender, who acknowledged the order and reached for a glass above her head.

“That outfit rocks,” said a young woman beside her. Veronica didn’t recognize the face and assumed she was attending as someone’s plus one.

“Thank you. I might wear a suit to every wedding from now on.”

“Amen to that.” The woman who looked barely old enough to drink threw back a shot of something clear without so much as a grimace. Setting the shot glass on the bar, she said, “Am I crazy, or is this room full of famous people?”

Maybe she wasn’t a plus one after all. Cam had assured them that the stairs would be blocked off, preventing party crashers from getting in.

“I’m sorry. Who are you here with?”

“Technically, no one. My brother owns this place. He told me last night he wanted me to meet some chick he’s dating. Which is bonkers, but whatever.”

Cam’s sister. Veronica resisted the urge to introduce herself and instead asked, “Why is that bonkers?”

She shook her head. “You’d have to know Cam. He’s what you’d call a loner. Don’t get me wrong. He’s dated plenty of women, but they never last long. Well,” she added, “other than that bitch who got a ring.”

“A ring?” Veronica asked, feeling slightly guilty about prying into Cam’s personal life this way, but she couldn’t help herself. “He was engaged?”

“God only knows why.” The young lady called to the bartender for another shot before saying, “I’m Janie, by the way.”

Not sure how much Cam had told her, she said, “I’m Ronnie.”

With narrowed eyes, her new friend said, “I don’t suppose you want to get out of here and have our own party?”

Was she hitting on her? The twirl of a finger on Veronica’s arm confirmed the assumption. “Afraid I don’t swing that way.”

Janie shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

Afraid she might leave, Veronica said, “You have me curious. What happened with the engagement?”

Heavily lined eyes rolled hard. “Miss Prissy Pants wanted kids, and Cam didn’t. He’s afraid he’ll be like his dad, which is total bullshit. Cam is nothing like that piece of shit loser.”

Veronica heard Cam’s words in her head. My father was a violent man. Good God. He couldn’t possibly believe that he’d be the same way. He could be bossy, sure, but violent? Would a violent man take care of a stranger on Christmas Eve for no other reason than she couldn’t take care of herself? Would he upend his whole life so that she didn’t feel pathetic for one week? And would he sacrifice his own business on the biggest night of the year so her friends had a place to get married?

Cam had done all of those things. For her. And Veronica had thanked him with jealousy brought on by her bitter insecurities. She had to fix this.

“Thank you,” she said to Janie. “Thank you for saving my night.”

She hurried through the heavy black door, missing her new friend’s parting words.

“You’re welcome, Veronica.”

* * *

Cam sat behind his desk,assuring himself that he was not hiding. Veronica had made her feelings clear. She didn’t want him beyond the role he’d agreed to play. His acting days were over.

Since they’d parted ways before dinner, he’d checked on the party twice. Neither time did he find her scanning the room in search of him. And neither time did he let her know he was there. It was likely for the best. They’d never have worked. Veronica wanted laughter and a traditional family. Cam didn’t laugh, and he knew nothing about family.

If only Samantha hadn’t strolled into that wedding, maybe things would be different. She was a walking reminder that Cam couldn’t make a woman happy. Not in the long term. They always wanted more than he could give. The difference was, Veronica made him want to try. Made him want to give her everything she ever wanted. He’d have done that for her. He’d have bought the house in the burbs, and even put a picket fence around the damn thing if she’d asked. Trusting himself to be a father would be tougher, but with Veronica, anything had seemed possible.

Two knocks sounded at the door. Cam sighed, preparing himself for whatever problem he was about to face. Midnight wasn’t far off, and the crowd would have grown rowdy by now.

“Come in.”

The door pushed open, and Veronica stepped inside. “Hey,” she said, closing the door and sliding her hands into her pockets. She looked amazing in the dark suit, tailored perfectly for her body. Her blonde curls were pulled back low on her head and draped over her right shoulder. “One of your bartenders told me you were in here.”

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