Page 10 of Velvet Sin
So he heard that.No wonder he wanted to have dinner.He probably got off on seeing how far I’d fallen.“How would you know what kind of life I’m living?”I countered.
“Let’s grow up.We live in the age of social media.I’ve checked in on you once or twice, and you seemed pretty comfortable.”
Once or twice?I got the feeling he did more than that, mainly because he was so surprised to find out I hadn’t.Erasing Dante from my life had been my top priority in the months and years after he broke my heart.“That was then.Now is a different story.”Was it ever.
“What happened?Did your husband’s business go under?”
I snickered before I could help myself.“So long as there are gamblers throwing money at casinos, accountants will have plenty of clients.”Cameron had nothing to worry about.He had it made.Inheriting his dad’s business, living it up while his employees did the actual work.
Eyeing my left hand, he observed, “No ring.Divorced?”
I should’ve said no.I should’ve slapped him and walked out no matter who was watching, no matter what he thought.What the hell did it matter?
The food’s arrival pinned me in place.Hunger twisted my insides, and the packet of instant noodles at home was nothing compared to the array of dishes being placed in front of us—creamed spinach, stuffed twice-baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, followed by the presentation of two juicy steaks.This was how far I had fallen.Submitting to his bullshit in exchange for a meal.
A few bites of beef gave me the strength I needed to face up to the truth.“Yes, to answer your question.We’ve been divorced these past three months.You’re not the only man in my life who decided to go behind my back, as it turns out.Maybe the two of you should start a club.”I couldn’t believe the sound of my own voice, much less the words that were coming from it.This wasn’t me.
But God, did it feel good, especially when something close to pain or regret touched the corners of his eyes.It vanished quickly enough that I wondered if I was imagining things.Was it what I needed to believe I saw?“Go on.Eat,” he urged, flat and no-nonsense.“There’s no way I can eat all of this by myself.”
What did I expect?An apology?I should’ve known better.Was that what the meal was supposed to be about?Sorry I took your entire vision for your future and turned it all to shit.Here, have some spinach.
“So now you need a job,” he concluded.
“And now I see why you’re so successful in business, as sharp as you are,” I countered sourly, the taste bitter.
“Here I was about to offer you one.”
A bite of beef almost got stuck in my throat when surprise made me gasp.I managed not to choke to death, then let out a disbelieving laugh.“Right.What would you have me do in your new club?Pour drinks?Check IDs at the door?”
He lifted a shoulder while cutting into his steak.“The latter, actually, though a little more goes into the job than checking identification.You would process membership accounts, create new accounts, ensure my clientele is happy and safe.”
Safe?“Why would their safety be in question?”
“Not for any reason you might be thinking,” he assured me with something like a smirk.I hated him for it.The idea of sinking my steak knife into his jugular was a little too appealing.
Instead, I used it on my steak, which was rich, buttery, and almost enough to justify this whole disaster.“That’s not an answer, you know.”
“It’s a lot to get into all at once,” he explained.When I scoffed, he didn’t rise to the bait, staying cool and collected while polishing off the last of the creamed spinach.“You can work for me and make a lot of money, or you can keep embarrassing yourself by going up and down the strip, looking for jobs.You haven’t worked all these years, have you?Don’t bother lying.”
Like he had the right to lecture me.I sat up straighter while reconsidering the whole steak-knife idea.“What do you know about lying and truth?This is the first time we’ve spoken in a decade.”
“I remember enough about your ex to know you haven’t worked.Just like his mom didn’t work unless getting facelifts and liposuction is suddenly a full-time job.I guess she could have qualified for that,” he concluded, snickering.
There were times I forgot how well the three of us used to know each other when Dante was supposed to be my future, and Cameron was nothing more than a friend with a crush on me.I couldn’t let myself forget how vulnerable I was in the months after catching Dante with another girl, but now I remembered clearly the way Cameron was there for me.Funny how what seemed like friendship at the time now looked like opportunism.
“So?”I countered, defiant.“It’s true.I haven’t worked outside the home.In fact, I never used my degree.”
His brow wrinkled.“It’s tough out there, finding work, and that’s for people with more recent experience.”
“Are you enjoying this?”
“Not at all.”The almost mocking note in his voice vanished as he set down his cutlery and pushed the plate aside.“You’re in a shit situation, and I’m in a position to offer assistance.This meal isn’t going to last very long,” he pointed out.“You’ll be hungry again tomorrow.Then what?”
I looked down at my almost empty plate and the empty serving dishes left behind after we had demolished the sides.He made a good point.
“Here.”Reaching into his breast pocket, he retrieved a black business card with only his name and a phone number etched in silver on the front.“The club opens tomorrow night.I still have room for you on my staff.Call me when your pride gets out of the way, but make sure that happens by the end of the night because the position won’t be available come morning.”
He was serious.Shock made me reach out to take the card.My body was moving with no help from my brain.
