Page 43 of Curious
“I pretty much only have boots,” I say.
“That’s okay.” Shelby finds a pair of black Converse. “Wear these. Or, well, wear one of them.”
It seems good enough, so I get dressed. I study my face in the mirror. “I should probably shave,” I start to say, but he cuts me off.
“Don’t you dare.” Shelby rasps his fingers across my stubble. “This is so sexy. Oh my god, every man in there will want you. And you’re mine. Come on!”
We take an Uber to One. Since it’s still early, it’s not packed yet, although there is a small crowd. We find our way to an upstairs room—taking the elevator rather than risking the stairs—and meet up with the rest of the crew.
I know many of Shelby’s coworkers from hanging out with my siblings, but I’ve never met Weston & Ramirez’s newish, most famous attorney, Sam Stone, or Sam’s exponentially more famous boyfriend, Julian Hill. Sam’s grandfather is the governor of California. Julian is an incredibly popular singer. Both are here tonight, and I’m frankly starstruck to meet Jules. There are two big guys in black standing nearby, and I bet they’re his bodyguards.
Shelby sits me down and introduces me to both of them.
Jules shakes my hand. “Are you a friend of Shelby’s?” He’s got a great British accent.
“He’s my husband,” Shelby chirps, holding out his hand and showing off his ring.
Jules looks surprised. “When did you get married, Shelby? And you didn’t invite us?”
“Oh, we eloped.” He grins and climbs into my lap, kissing my cheek. I wrap my arm around him to hold him in place. “I couldn’t wait.”
Part of me wants to explain the circumstances, but I guess it’s none of their business, or anyone else’s. More importantly, I’m really starting to want those circumstances to change. I don’t want to end our relationship once I’m healed and have my own health insurance or he finds another place to stay. Shelby brings a zest to my life that I’d been missing. He’s creative and caring and efficient and clever.
The server, a woman everyone seems to know, comes up and asks everyone what they want. When she gets to me, her jaw drops. “Who is this?” she asks Shelby, her tone accusatory.
“This is my husband, Camden. He’s also Charlie and Reyna’s brother.”
“Oh my god, Shelby! Husband? Congratulations to you both! Have a drink on me—what do you want?”
We both order beers, and she returns soon with everyone’s drinks. This room isn’t too loud, and we chat with Jules and Sam about the new album Jules is working on, their recent trip to Mexico, and how Sam is going to rent out his condo, now that he’s been living with Jules on the beach for a while.
“How much is the rent?” Shelby asks, and I stiffen. “Asking for a friend.”
“I don’t know yet. I need to talk to a realtor and find out what’s reasonable,” Sam says.
“Okay, well, let me know when you do, so I can pass on the info.”
I tighten my arms around Shelby, who is still in my lap, and mutter in his ear, “You don’t need to find a place fast, you know.”
“Yeah but I bet Sam’s place is nice,” he whispers back. “Probably too expensive, though.”
“I’m struggling here, because I don’t want you to go,” I admit.
He turns and kisses me. “Then I’ll drop it.” But I can hear the “for now” implied in the statement.
After he finishes his drink, Alden and his boyfriend, Danny, come up and ask us to dance with them.
I gesture to my foot. “No dancing for me, I’m afraid.”
Jules and Sam smile. “We’ll keep you company.”
“Go on,” I tell Shelby, although I’m conflicted. I want him to have fun, but I’m feeling massively protective.
They head downstairs to the main floor, but from where I am, I can see him dancing with a group of guys from the firm. I mostly relax.
After a few minutes, a burly guy comes up and says something in Shelby’s ear, but he holds up his hand, showing his ring. The guy says something else, with a lascivious look, but Shelby shakes his head no.
“Do I need to go down there?” I mutter. I’m already making my way to get out of the chair and over to the elevator.
