Cameron was nearly twenty minutes late pulling up to his mom’s house. He snatched the umbrella from his back seat he’d stored there before leaving his house and hopped out of his car. He’d been wondering all afternoon which dress Jane would borrow from his mom. He probably shouldn’t be wondering about such a thing, but it was better than berating himself for all the time he’d wasted with Crystal over the past few months.
It was strange not having her calling or texting him every moment, hovering, demanding. Peace. That’s what he was feeling for the first time in a long time. It didn’t mean that his work stress was gone, but he was no longer facing huge events like the wedding, honeymoon, and setting up house with Crystal. He could get back to the old Cameron. The one who used to enjoy life.
Still, after his mom and Jane had left his house, Cameron had second thoughts about taking Jane to the gala. It might give off the perception that he was a player, and he didn’t need that image to interfere with the hospital benefit. Or at least people thinking that he was callous and already dating right after his canceled engagement. So he’d called his mom, but she was adamant about him keeping the obligation with Jane.
“There’s no harm in bringing a date to the gala. Besides, everything isn’t always about you,” his mom had said. “You’re supporting your mother and the community. And you should see Jane in the dress she picked out. Canceling on her would be discourteous.”
Cameron had sighed and hung up with his mom. Moments later, Crystal had sent a rather nasty text, basically threatening him that if he told anyone about the furniture purchase she’d made, she’d find a way to discredit him. Cameron had spoken too soon... apparently he wasn’t going to have peace quite yet. Crystal was a cunning woman.
He’d texted back that only his parents knew, but they wouldn’t share it. This wasn’t entirely the truth, but if Crystal knew his parents were aware of the fraud, it might keep her on better behavior.
Cameron opened his parents’ front door with his key, and as he stepped inside the entrance, he wondered if he should have knocked or rung the doorbell first. Now it was too late.
“There you are,” Selena said, coming out of the kitchen. She was dressed in a classy navy suit, with a Bluetooth at her ear. “Oh, good, you brought an umbrella. Jane was worried about ruining her dress.”
Cameron looked over at the living room. “Where is Jane?” Since he was late, he fully expected her to be waiting.
“I’ll get her,” Selena said and started up the stairs.
Cameron hoped that Jane wasn’t one of those women who kept a date waiting for an hour.
But he didn’t have to worry, because moments after Selena disappeared from the landing, another woman appeared at the top of the stairs.
Cameron stared as Jane walked down the steps. His mom had been right. Canceling on Jane would have been very discourteous. She wore a fitted red dress, accentuating the curves Cameron had only guessed at when she’d worn her jeans and T-shirts to clean in—not that he was admitting to guessing at anything. Her hair was done up, leaving her shoulders bare. The pearls she wore seemed to gleam beneath the glow of the chandelier.
Cameron swallowed.
“You brought an umbrella,” she said.
Cameron held it up stupidly as if to say, yes, he had brought an umbrella that they could both plainly see. “It’s still raining,” he said.
She had neared the final step, and Cameron instinctively held his hand out. Jane placed her hand in his as she stepped down the final stair and came to stand before him. She smelled like summer blossoms, and he noticed she wore dark red lip gloss, which complemented her dress very nicely. This gown couldn’t be his mother’s—or if it was, he’d never seen her wear it.
“What do you think?” Jane asked in a soft voice.
Cameron blinked, then realized he was still holding her hand. He released it and said, “You’re stunning, Jane.” Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say... In this circumstance, he should be more professional and cordial.
Her rosy lips turned up in a smile. “You clean up well too, Mr. Vance.”
“Cameron, remember?” he said.
She nodded, making her teardrop pearl earrings sway. “I remember.”
“Don’t forget your wrap,” Selena came down the stairs, carrying a black wrap. She set it on Jane’s shoulders with a smile. “I’ll see you there.”
“Thank you,” Jane told Selena, then turned back to Cameron.
He realized he was still staring at her. Forcing himself to walk, he crossed to the door and opened it. The rain had lightened up, but he popped open the umbrella and guided Jane to the car. Opening the passenger door for her, he made sure to keep the umbrella over her as she climbed in. Then he hurried around to the other side of the car, folded the umbrella, then set the dripping thing on the floor behind his seat.
He didn’t know why his heart was racing after such a short jaunt to the car. He tried to calm his breathing so Jane wouldn’t notice as he started the engine. “Did you get your dad off to his game night okay?” he asked.
Jane looked over at him. “Yes, although Pete wasn’t too happy.”
“Pete? Your dad?”
“Oh, no.” She gave a small laugh. “He’s the friend my dad visits. They go way back. I think Pete has a bit of a crush on me, although I keep telling him I’m too young for someone as classy as he.”
Cameron chuckled. He didn’t doubt that this Pete fellow had a crush on Jane. She was easy to talk to, not to mention beautiful. “So... uh... Do you spend every Saturday night there?”
“Yep,” Jane said, and he heard warmth in her voice. “The people at the center are so interesting to talk to. Their life stories are remarkable, and they’re also full of wisdom. If I ever have a question or problem, they’re quick to give advice, even unsolicited.”
“Like Facebook gives advice?”
Jane laughed. “That’s one way to put it. I prefer talking to people in person.”
“Me too.” Cameron turned onto the street that led to the Pine Valley Ski Resort. The benefit would take place at the Alpine Lodge restaurant. He glanced over at Jane and saw that she was watching him.
“Did you get some sleep?” she asked. “You’re looking much better—not that a tux doesn’t help a man look better.”
He smirked. “A tux does help, but yeah, I did crash for about an hour.”
“I’m glad,” she said. “I didn’t want my charity date falling asleep on me.”
“Charity? Is that what I am?” he teased, stealing a glance at her.
“I’m the charity date,” Jane said. “But I don’t mind. It’s not every day a girl gets to wear a dress like this. I’m just afraid to eat anything. I don’t want to get it dirty.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to eat—it’s five hundred a plate, you know.”
“Yeah, my dad told me.” She sighed. “Maybe I could ask for a to-go box.”
Cameron laughed. “I dare you.”
Jane shook her head. “I don’t think I’m that brave. Besides, I am pretty hungry, and it probably beats the chicken teriyaki I fixed for my dad earlier.”
“I don’t know about that,” Cameron said. “I happen to know you’re a pretty good cook.”
She smiled. “I can hold my own.”
“Hmm,” Cameron mused. “You’ll have to let me know if the Alpine Lodge meal passes your muster. Have you eaten there before?”
“Not yet,” she said. “Like I mentioned, my weekends are filled with work and playing card games with senior citizens.”
Lights glowed from the Alpine Lodge as they turned into the parking lot, and Cameron pulled into the line of cars waiting for valet service. “Maybe someday I’ll check out the center. I’ve been known to win a few card games.”
“They don’t play for money, you know,” she said in a teasing tone. “You’ll have to bring your own package of butterscotch candy.”
“Sounds good to me.” Cameron pulled forward; there were two cars ahead of them. He looked over at her. “Hey, before we go into the gala, I want to thank you for agreeing to come tonight. I know it was last minute—”
“No problem.” Jane lifted a hand to cut him off. “And don’t you dare offer me money again. Your mom tried multiple times. I’m happy to play Cinderella for one night. I just hope you won’t get any backlash from Crystal later.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Cameron said. “She’s already texted me a few threats today. I might see if I can snag my lawyer friend Dawson Harris while we’re here and show the texts to him.”
Jane’s brows shot up. “What did she threaten?”
“Nothing specific—just to cause trouble if I tell anyone about the furniture purchases,” he said.
A valet approached the car.
“Well, here we go.” Cameron put the car into park. They were under the hotel awning, so he didn’t need to worry about using the umbrella to get Jane inside the building. He hurried around the car again and opened her door.
She placed her hand in his as she climbed out of the car. Yep, she smelled like summer blossoms. Cameron moved her hand to the crook of his elbow. But then she turned and set the wrap she’d been wearing on the front seat of the car.
Cameron was more than aware of her warmth on his arm as they walked to the front entrance. They were greeted by the director of the hospital, who had taken it upon himself to welcome every guest who entered the building. The director didn’t look surprised to see Cameron with a woman who wasn’t Crystal, so Cameron surmised that his mom had told the man about the breakup.
The inside of the building had been decorated to look like a scene out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with huge potted plants and billowing streamers flowing down from the ceiling. The benefit’s theme for the night was printed on a giant banner that read “Give the Dream of a Healthy Life.”
In the main lobby, several tables were set up with auction items, and a young woman dressed in a fairy costume approached them with an auction number.
“Are you together, or would you like your own numbers?” she asked.
“We’re together,” Cameron was quick to say. He didn’t want Jane worrying about bidding on an item.
The costumed woman handed over the auction number.
“Thank you,” Cameron said and took the number.
“What are your names, and I can tell you your dinner table number.”
Cameron gave her his name while he glanced about. Several people milled about the tables, and a band played soft jazz music in the main restaurant beyond.
“This place looks amazing,” Jane said, sounding truly impressed. “Did your mom orchestrate the decorations as well?”
“She did,” he said. “She’s been working on the details for months.”
“No wonder she didn’t want you to miss this.”
Cameron laughed. “I think she’s got you on her side already.” He paused when he saw a man at the far table turn. “Come on, there’s my father. I’ll introduce you.”
He crossed to his dad and introduced him to Jane.
“Nice to meet you, young lady,” his dad said, giving her hand a hearty shake. Then he leaned close to Cameron. “Are you doing all right? Your mother told me what happened, but all my calls went to voicemail.”
“I turned off my phone for a while, but I’m fine,” Cameron said. “Actually, better than fine.”
His dad’s gaze shifted to Jane, then back to Cameron. There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “You look better than I thought you would. Your mother gave me strict orders to keep an eye on you, but I think you’re in good hands.”
“Oh, there’s Mr. Richardson,” Cameron said, trying to distract his dad from saying anything that might be overheard by other guests. It worked.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” his dad said and moved past them to talk to his friend.
“Sorry about that,” Cameron said, turning to Jane. “My dad is a great businessman, but sometimes he can be a bit goofy.”
Jane smiled. “I don’t mind.”
They walked past a couple of auction items. “Anything catch your eye?” he asked.
Jane looked at him, her green eyes reflecting the glow from the lights about the room. “Are we shopping?”
He chuckled. “In a manner of speaking. But no golf packages.”
“You don’t like golf?” Jane asked as they stopped in front of a basket filled with golf balls and a certificate for a game of four.
“I do, but that’s how I met Crystal—we both bid on the same golf package at a charity event.” He shrugged. “I conceded after a few bidding rounds, and she invited me to join her. She’s actually a terrible golfer, so I should have seen that as a red flag. Why would someone who couldn’t golf bid on a package?”
“To get a date with you?” Jane said.
“It was clever, I guess.”
Jane stepped closer and looked down at the certificate. “Sounds like a nice package. Do you think some of these are recycled? I mean, the auction items are so similar at these events, not that I’ve been to a ton of them.”
“Oh, I’m sure some of them are,” Cameron said, pointing at a football that was signed by an NFL player. “I’ve seen that football at least three times.”
Jane laughed. “I guess if it’s all in the name of charity, it works.”
“Especially this one,” he said, and they continued to move along the table, looking at the auction items. “What about this Blendtec? Do you need one?”
“No,” Jane said. “My mom has one, and it sounds like a giant train is plowing through the house when you turn it on.”
“Good to know,” Cameron said. “What about the Hawaii vacation?”
“That would be amazing,” Jane said. “But it’s a little forward for a second date.”
Cameron smirked. “Ah,” he said, eyeing the next item. “This is more my style.” The gift basket included gourmet food items. “I’ll be snacking until Christmas.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jane said. “I love flavored honey.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” They stopped in front of another golf package. “I just can’t get away from these.”
She laughed. “I should probably let you know that I was on my high school’s golf team.”
“Really?” Cameron looked down at her. “That’s impressive.”
“Not exactly,” Jane said with a shrug. “Only one girl was even good enough to shoot below 80 consistently. I think my best was 82.”
“That’s decent...”
Jane narrowed her eyes. “You’d better not say, ‘for a girl.’”
He laughed. “I wasn’t going to.”
She shoved him in his arm, and he raised his hands. “I promise, I wasn’t going to say that.”
“I don’t believe you for a moment,” Jane said.
“You two are sure enjoying the evening,” a woman said, coming to stand on the other side of Cameron.
He looked over to see Lacey, a friend of Crystal’s, and the travel agent Crystal had been in cahoots with. She was a tall, willowy woman, and her eyes seemed to shoot daggers at Cameron. He knew he’d run into people who knew Crystal, he just didn’t expect it to be someone so directly involved.
“Have we met?” Lacey asked, her daggers going to Jane.