Page 76 of Pity Pact

I have no idea why she wants me to do that, but instead of questioning her here, I reply, “I’ll be thirty seconds behind you.”

As Cami excuses herself from the table, I get up to pull out her chair. From my new vantage point, I notice Fielden is running his fingertips up and down Paige’s arm. If that isn’t bad enough, their heads are so close together they practically look like conjoined twins. Neither of them pays any attention to Cami’s departure.

Sitting back down, I do a fast count to thirty before standing up to join my date. I don’t bother saying anything to our tablemates.

I spot Cami as soon as I walk out the door. She’s standing next to the wall, talking to Walker Sinclair. He left town right after college, so it’s been many years since I’ve seen him. Even so, the Sinclair family have been members here ever since my grandparents started the club.

Walking in their direction, I greet, “Walker, I haven’t seen you in ages.” Cami motions for me to turn off my mic. I do so before asking, “How do you and Cami know each other?”

“Cami has catered some parties for my company.”

“I told Walker what we’re doing,” Cami says quietly.

He gently knocks his fist into my shoulder. “I would have never pegged you for a reality show guy.”

The accusation fills me with embarrassment. “They needed alast-minute replacement to fill in, and being that they were filming here …”

Cami interrupts. “I already told him the truth, Tim.” Panic pours through me as she confesses, “I told him about Eva.”

Why in the world would she do that?Even though I don’t want to have this discussion in front of him, I can’t help but ask, “Why?”

Walker interjects, “My wife and I are in the process of getting divorced. Cami knew that I’d understand what you’re going through.”

“She told you all of that in the minute since she came out here?” How is that even possible?

“We took the same train to Elk Lake today,” Cami says. She’s not quite making eye contact with me, which I hope means she feels bad for sharing my personal information with someone else.

“We had two hours to catch up.” Walker looks at Cami like she’s the catnip to his tabby.

Cami smiles at him in a way she has yet to look at me, and I immediately sense something is going on. “Are you two … Have you … Is there …?” Look at me, I’m positively the king of articulation.

“Not yet,” Walker says. Then he turns his attention to Cami. “But I would like to ask you out, if that’s okay.”

Wait, he’s asking her out in front of me? While we’re on a date?

Cami smiles at him. “I would really like that, Walker.”

I cough loudly. “Excuse me, but aren’tweon a date right now?”

Cami has the courtesy to flush with what I hope is a hefty dose of shame. “We are, but we both know you’re not really into it.”

“How do you know that? We haven’t even gotten our food yet.” Like food has anything to do with romantic chemistry.

“Tim,” Cami says, “I don’t believe for one minute you’re on this show to find love. You can’t go from only wanting revenge to not caring about it just like that.” She snaps her fingers sharply for effect.

“Yes, but … maybe …”

“I have a proposition for you,” she says before glancing at Walker. “I’m game to do everything I can do to help you show Eva what she’s missing …”

“But …” Of course, there’s a but. It might even have two t’s.Butt.

“But I won’t be serious about you.”

“Because you’ll be going out with Walker.”

Her eyelashes flutter rapid fire while looking at the aforementioned. “Because my interest lies elsewhere.”

“And this is okay with you, Walker?” Why not let him weigh in on my future, too? Heck, maybe I should take to the streets and ask total strangers.

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