Page 22 of Just Like This
“He and Palmer’s dad are in business together. They build homes, and Dad had no intention of slowing down until he got sick. After he was diagnosed, I quit my job as a pastry chef in Seattle, rented out my condo, and moved back home.”
“When did he get sick?”
“Two years ago. This most recent surgery was pretty much our last hope.”
“And did it work?”
“I don’t think so. He won’t talk about it.”
“What about your mom?”
Cami withdrew her hand from my leg, and I saw her shift closer to the door. “I think that’s a topic left for another day, Garrett.”
I didn’t press her for more because we were crossing over the Narrows Bridge and heading toward Gig Harbor. Instead, I asked, “So what are you going to make for everyone tonight?”
“Pancakes,” she answered.
My laughter filled the car. “Pancakes? Are you serious?”
“It’s my favorite late-night snack.”
I reached across the console that separated us and grabbed her hand and brought it up to my lips. “I can’t wait.”
Cami directed me to her house, and surprisingly, we were the first ones to arrive. Her house was a sprawling ranch painted white and situated right on the bay. She led me down the concrete path to the front door where I had almost kissed her senseless a few nights ago. She unlocked the door, and we stepped into the dark interior. Even though none of the interior lights had been left on, the house was awash in moonlight from the numerous windows on the back of the house that overlooked the water. She easily navigated the house, turning on lights as she went, until we ended up in a pristine white kitchen.
“I’ll wait until everyone else gets here before I start making pancakes,” she informed me as she opened cabinets and pulled out the ingredients. She turned toward me and nodded toward the fireplace that sat in one corner. “Can you get that going?”
Even though it was summer, a fire sounded nice. I got to work stacking logs in the hearth. After I lit the kindling, I looked up and caught her watching me as I blew out the long fireplace match. “You’re staring,” I said.
“I know,” she replied with a husky voice.
“Cami … don’t. Palmer and everyone else will be here soon.”
As if on cue, the sound of car doors slamming shut cut the tension, snapping us both to attention. The doorbell rang, and I left Cami in the kitchen to answer it. Palmer entered first with Jackson and Nikki trailing after.
“Garrett.” Nikki whined my name, and I cringed because she was clearly drunk. “I thought we were going to the concerttogether. You hardly talked to me all night. I miss spendingtimewith you.”
Nikki gave me her best siren smile before molding herself to me. She stood on her tiptoes and nipped my ear with her teeth. This was too much. I knew what I wanted, and it wasn’t her anymore. Maybe it was never. I put my hands up between us and pushed her away.
“I’m sorry you thought that,” I informed her, my tone devoid of remorse.
She scrunched up her nose in disgust. “What’s gotten into Garrett? Is it that girl? That nobody? She doesn’t have a clue what to do with a man like you.”
Nikki lunged at me again. I dodged her attempt to embrace me but caught her before she could tumble to the hardwood floor. It was time for her to leave. I walked her over to a nearby couch and sat her down.
“I’ll be right back,” I told her in a stern voice. “Don’t move.”
I walked back into the kitchen where Palmer and Jackson were seated at the large island, talking about the highlights of the concert with Cami, who was whisking ingredients together in a large bowl.
“What the hell? She wasn’t this drunk when you left the stadium.”
Palmer looked impassive. “We stopped on our way back and had a few drinks.”
“A few drinks? Nikki is a mess. You have to take her back to wherever she’s staying.”
Palmer reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He tossed them to me and said, “Can you do it? Cami’s about to make us some of her confetti pancakes, and I don’t want to miss out.”
I looked up at Cami who didn’t look happy with Palmer at all. “Palmer,” she interjected. “Garrett doesn’t know how to get around Gig Harbor, and if she’s that drunk, she’s not going to be able to tell him where she’s staying. She can sleep it off in the guest house.”
Cami pulled open a drawer and reached inside for a set of keys. She tossed them to me, and I pocketed them. “It’s just across the driveway. Hard to miss.”
I placed Palmer’s car keys on the counter and walked back to the living room. Nikki was sprawled on the couch, sound asleep. I nudged her awake and helped her stand. With one arm wrapped around her waist, we stumbled to the front door and out into the night. This was one walk I didn’t want to take.
