Devin
Devin caught himself smiling as he chewed on a piece of toast and threw the rest over to his patiently waiting dogs all gathered around him. That night with Camille at the clubhouse had happened two days ago, and he still couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He still couldn’t stop his mind from revisiting those moments when he had her in his arms.
He had only known her for a few weeks, but he felt like he had known her a lifetime. Things weren’t moving quickly enough for him. Camille was charming, talented, caring and smashing in bed. A part of him wanted to ask her to move in with him. But he also knew it would be a bad idea. Camille didn’t know who he truly was and what he did for a living. Bringing her this close to his life would be inviting danger.
Devin shook his head and ran a hand over his chin. It was time to shave; there was stubble on his chin that he needed to get rid of.
“I let myself in,” he heard Evangeline’s voice and his head jerked up to find her standing at the kitchen door. It was nine in the morning, but she was already dressed like she was on her way to a cocktail party.
Her dress was a frail, baby pink silk, short, and clinging to her body. Her arms and legs were bare, pale, and long. Her hair was left open, silky and dark, and she had the perfect pink-shaded made up face, as though this is what she had woken up looking like.
“You still have a key?” Devin asked, his brows crossing. Just this image of Evangeline in his kitchen brought back memories of their relationship. She never allowed him to see her without her makeup. For the two years that they were together, and in those last six months when she moved in with him, Evangeline made it a point to wake up in the morning before him so that she could do her hair and makeup for their breakfast together. Even if she was only going to be in her pajamas.
“What did you think? That I’ll just throw your keys away?” Evangeline smiled broadly and took a few tender steps towards him. Some of the dogs growled - they had never liked Evangeline for some reason.
“Go!” Devin commanded them, and they left the kitchen to go outside. Evangeline rolled her eyes and crossed her long pale arms over her breasts. Devin knew that she had never liked the dogs either.
“Well, I guess I should have known better and changed the locks a long time ago,” Devin said, resting the cup of coffee he was holding on the table. He hadn’t offered Evangeline a chair or any breakfast because he didn’t want her to stay for a second longer than she needed to. But Evangeline, as always, was not in a hurry to leave.
She took a few more steps towards him and then placed her rhinestone covered pink clutch on the kitchen counter. Without a word she reached for an empty glass and walked over to the fridge.
“You still don’t buy sparkling water for yourself, darling?” she asked opening the fridge door and laughing a little. “You will never change will you, Devin?”
She bent down, making sure that her small shapely butt stuck out in front of him. Devin looked away and clenched his jaw. She was becoming a nuisance, and really testing his patience. But he also knew that he needed to tolerate her for a little longer, just at least until Camille’s art show.
“Why are you here, Evangeline?” he asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. She didn’t seem to notice and turned around with her glass filled with orange juice. She slammed the fridge door and had a wide, fake smile pasted on her face.
“I’m here to talk about this favor you asked me the other night,” she replied, walking over to the counter. She took some small sips of the orange juice while Devin looked at her with a bitter grimace on his face.
“It wasn’t a favor, Evangeline. It’s a business deal. I’ll pay you for the booking, of course.” He crossed his arms over his chest and noticed Evangeline’s eyes drop to his muscular arms. Her face softened. He could always tell when a woman wanted him; when he was making her wet. Not Camille though, she was always hard to read.
“So why aren’t you going to any other art galleries in Miami?” she asked, and Devin tried to smile.
“Because yours is the best. One show at your gallery will make sure that my friend’s art is officially launched and appreciated,” Devin said, shifting in his seat. Evangeline smiled back at him, nodded, and took a few more sips of her juice.
“That is true.” walked towards him. Devin clenched his jaw, following her movement with his eyes. “But like I said, I want something in return,” Evangeline continued, now stopping right in front of him so that he had to look up at her.
Devin sighed. “What do you want?”
“For us to give it another shot.” Evangeline was quick to respond. Devin pushed his chair back and stood up, taking quick steps away from her.
“It’s over, Evangeline. It’s been over for nearly a year now. You can’t manipulate me into getting back with you,” Devin thundered, walking to the other end of the kitchen, putting as much distance between them as he could. Evangeline followed him slowly. Her face had changed from casual and seductive to desperate, and even a little bit angered.
“How can you say that? We had something real for two years. Hell, we nearly got married!” Evangeline screamed, and Devin had to do everything he could to not scream back at her.
“And then you overdosed and nearly died!” he growled, trying to keep his voice low. They had screamed and yelled at each other enough a year ago, he didn’t want to have to go through that again.
He watched as Evangeline took in a deep breath, released it, and tried to smile again.
“That phase of my life is over now, Devin. I’ve been clean for six months. It’s in the past. Give me a chance to prove it.” Her voice had changed. She wasn’t the one with the upper hand anymore, she wasn’t the seductive hostess from her art gallery parties anymore. She was begging Devin to take her back, but after everything she had done?!
“Evangeline… I’m happy for you. That you’re past now.” Devin ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. “But I can’t. I don’t want to give our relationship another shot. Not after everything that happened.”
Evangeline sucked in a mouthful of air, and he could see that her lips were quivering. The last thing he wanted was for her to cry. She had always been good at drama, at producing crocodile tears on cue. He didn’t trust her at all, this was all for show.
“Why not Devin? You loved me once. And I don’t believe you can’t love me again. I still love you.” She came up closer to him, and he pressed his back against the wall. A few weeks ago, he might have fallen for this. For her perfect porcelain skin, her wide mouth, her slender body, and her seductiveness. But now there was Camille. Only she mattered, and nobody else.
“No, Evangeline. I don’t, and I can’t love you again,” Devin said, slipping away from her before she had the chance to come any closer. He took long strides to the other end of the room and started clearing up his plates from breakfast. He wasn’t looking at her anymore.
“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe that you don’t have any feelings for me anymore. That’s a lie. I’ve seen the way you look at me.” Her voice had changed again. She wasn’t begging anymore, she was angry, screaming again. This is how it had always been with her; she could manipulate her mood and her tone of voice depending on the situation. Now Devin was convinced that none of her emotions were real. He should never have gotten into a relationship with her in the first place.
“Evangeline, I think it’s time for you to move on as well. You should get out there, date again,” Devin said, depositing the plates in the sink and then dusting his hands. When he turned around, he found that she was standing with her hands on her hips and with a sly smile on her face.
“Please, darling, you think I’m that pathetic? That I’ll stay away from men just because you broke up with me? I’m not that broken hearted.”
Devin raised his eyebrows and tried smiling too. “Well, that’s good. I’m glad you’re keeping yourself busy.” He folded his arms again. Evangeline continued to smile and raised her chin proudly.
“In fact, I’m dating someone seriously now,” she told him, and Devin tilted his head, the smile still pasted on his face. In reality, he wasn’t even curious to know. But he played along.
“That’s good news. Is it somebody I know?” he asked, and Evangeline suddenly threw back her head and laughed.
“Indeed it is. Somebody you know very well in fact.” She licked her lips, watching Devin intently with a steady gaze. He crossed his brows and waited for her answer.
“I’m dating Jimmy,” she said flatly, and Devin dropped his smile.
“Figueroa? Jimmy Figueroa? The leader of The Choppers?” Devin growled and took a few steps towards her. Evangeline licked her lips and dropped her arms to her side.
“Yes, the one and only. He’s an animal in bed,” she added, clearly aware that Devin was losing his mind. He clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth and then swung his face away from her. He tried to remind himself that he shouldn’t care anymore. She wasn’t his girlfriend. In fact, they were barely even friends.
“Well, good for him. I hope you both are very happy together,” Devin said, trying to smile again. Evangeline wasn’t fooled by his words, she knew exactly the effect this news had on him, and she was relishing in it. She laughed again and walked towards him. They were now standing only a few feet away from each other.
“But Devin, you’re still the one. Jimmy is an excellent lover, but you’re still the best,” she said, and Devin smirked. He didn’t know what else to say to her.
“You can call me anytime. Day or night.” She slowly walked towards him and touched him gently on his arm before walking past him and picking up her clutch from the counter. Devin didn’t turn to follow her.
“It’s settled then, darling. Your friend can have her art show at my gallery for free,” Evangeline said, and Devin finally turned.
“For free? No, I said I want to pay for it.”
Evangeline walked over to him quickly and placed a kiss on his cheek and then started walking away again. Her hips swayed in her tight dress as she walked, but Devin wasn’t paying attention to that anymore.
“Don’t be silly, my love. You know I’d do anything for you. I’ll text you an available date.” She waved at him and then left the kitchen.
Devin remained standing where he was until he heard the front door open and then close gently. He made a mental note to change the locks right away.
Camille
“So these are all the old ones, then?” Shayna asked as she and Camille stood beside each other with their hands on their hips. They had collected all their old artwork in the back storeroom of the bookstore and now stood staring at it. They exchanged looks and smiled.
“I can’t believe this is actually happening, Camille!” Shayna clapped her hands, and they both laughed in excitement.
“But we have to make new ones as well, these can’t be the only ones we use,” Camille said, pulling out her phone from her pocket which had started ringing. It was Devin.
“Hi,” she said, walking out of the storeroom and leaving Shayna by herself.
“Hello, gorgeous,” she heard him say, and she blushed, even though he was nowhere in sight.
“I was just checking in to see how things are coming along,” Devin said, and Camille stood leaning against a bookshelf, twirling one of her curls around her little finger.
“They’re going well, we’ve collected all our old ones in one place and have to decide on the new ones I want to draw,” she told him, picturing Devin in front of her now - what he might be wearing, his chocolate brown eyes, his wide shoulders, and how much taller than her he was.
“That’s good. Has Evangeline been behaving herself?” he asked, and Camille suddenly felt lost in his voice for a few moments, before she regained her composure and nodded.
“Yes, she’s been very helpful, thanks. She calls me every few days to coordinate and has given me lots of useful tips,” Camille said, realizing at that moment that her happiness knew no bounds. For the first time in her life, everything was going well. She had her first art show coming up, in the best and biggest gallery in the city. She had Devin, who even though she didn’t share a defined relationship with, she was just happy knowing that he was in her life. Camille couldn’t stop smiling.
“Very good. Looks like Evangeline has finally grown up.”
“Yeah, she said that she’s deciding on a price and that we can price them quite high. She’s confident that they will all sell.” Camille was unable to contain her excitement, and Devin laughed when he heard her sound so happy.
“I miss you, Camille, we should get together again, soon,” Devin said, and she felt like her heart was about to melt.
“When do you want to meet? I’m free all this week.” Camille bit down on her lip. She didn’t want to sound this excited, but she couldn’t help herself; Devin’s voice was irresistible.
“I’m not sure when we can meet. I have a big project this week so it might not happen. But you should know that I’m constantly thinking about you. I have to go now. Good luck with your art,” he said and then hung up.
Camille listened to the white disconnected noise at the other end of the line and continued chewing on her lip. This was Devin’s appeal: he left her hot and cold, pulled her in and then pushed her back. And for some strange reason, she liked it. He was unpredictable, and she felt like it was dangerous for her to place her heart in his hands. But she wouldn’t have it any other way; she couldn’t even think of a life without Devin now, even though she barely knew him.
“Are you done? I have a few ideas I want to run by you.” Shayna appeared, and Camille nodded. She could think about Devin all day, but there was work to do.
“So you know how you said you want to make Cammy the central theme? Make each artwork a symbol for feminism?” Shayna said, walking back towards the storeroom. Camille followed her, but her brain was still filled with thoughts of Devin.
“Well, I was thinking that we could use colors to symbolize a different kind of evil in each drawing. You know, like red for spilled blood. A dark navy blue for men in uniform who take up positions of power against women.” Shayna was talking fast, as she always did when she had a big idea. Camille was barely paying attention, but she nodded anyway.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” she said, giving a wide genuine smile.
“Great, I’ll go and start working on a narrative then,” Shayna replied, turning around to give Camille a tight hug before walking out of the storeroom.
Camille was the one left alone with her old paintings now. She stared at them, blankly and silently. Most of the artwork was of Cammy, the superhero from her comic book. Some others were of landscapes, torn down buildings, and roughed up small towns. They were all a reflection of where she had grown up; the unrest and evil she had witnessed as a child.
She was a long way away from all that now, Camille thought, the smile disappearing from her face. She was lucky to have found a friend like Shayna, a man like Devin, and the kind of opportunity he and Evangeline were giving her. She wondered if she had misjudged Evangeline too quickly at the exhibition. Evangeline seemed like a completely different person now. She was warm, friendly, cooperative and most of all, she seemed like she genuinely cared about Camille’s artistic success.
She forgave Evangeline for her cold and unfriendly behavior the other night. She smiled because she understood her - it couldn’t have been easy to let go of Devin, get over him, and then watch him attend her party with someone else.
Camille stared at her phone in her hand again; she missed him already. But there was work to be done, and new art to be drawn. Her destiny was waiting for her, and Camille was ready now, more than ever, to grab it by the horns.
***
Camille threw her keys on the couch and switched on the electric kettle. She had already had dinner with Shayna earlier at a restaurant, but she was craving some hot milky tea now. Her apartment was a mess; she hadn’t bothered to clean up much in the past few days. Her attention had been entirely on Devin and the upcoming art show. The rest of her life, the bookstore… everything had taken a backseat for the time being.
She made herself a cup of tea and sat down on the couch, resting her feet on the low coffee table in front of her. She could see her own reflection in the window on the opposite wall. She was in a short denim skirt, a cotton top, her hair was in its usual unmanageable curly state, and she hadn’t bothered with makeup that day. What did Devin see in her?
Devin. She reached for her phone and stared at the screen blankly. She missed him; she craved to hear his voice. But he seemed so far away. Before she could stop herself, she was dialing his number.
“Hi, gorgeous.” He answered the call within the first few rings.
“Hi. Just wondering what you’re up to?” Camille smiled, snuggling into the couch, and pulled the soft throw over her legs.
Devin laughed and then sighed. “I just came back home. I had a long day at work, but I couldn’t stop thinking of you.” He sounded sexy and irresistible.
Camille placed her mug of tea on the table and leaned back into the couch. She could perfectly imagine his chiseled face, his wide smile, and his tattooed back.
“And what are you going to do now?” she asked huskily. Even though they were on the phone, Camille felt like she was alone with him. Just the two of them.
Devin sighed again and took his time to respond. “Maybe lie here on my couch, dreaming of you and your perfect breasts,” he said, surprising her with his directness.
Camille couldn’t stop herself from giggling, and then she bit down on her lip and sighed. “I wish you were here with me. Then you wouldn’t have to dream of my breasts,” she replied, and Devin drew in a deep breath.
“No, then I’d be ripping your clothes off you. I’d want those breasts in my mouth.”
Camille found her hand traveling down her belly to where she was beginning to grow wet. She hadn’t done something like this since she was a teenager! How was he able to turn her on with just his voice?
“Touch them, Camille. For me,” she heard him say, and she did as she was told. She grabbed her breast, the left one, and squeezed. She moaned and closed her eyes, and heard him take in a sharp breath.
“Now flick your nipples, squeeze them… you know how I do it.”
She did that too. She hadn’t touched herself like this in a long time, and for some reason, it felt natural. Her nipples were pert and raw, and she winced when she squeezed them, enjoying the sharp pleasurable sensation. She licked her lips as she imagined Devin’s hands on her body, his large warm hands on her skin and playing with her nipples.
“What are you doing?” She asked him breathily.
“I’m touching myself, stroking my dick,” he said, and she could hear him beginning to breathe heavily.
“I want to touch it too. Suck it, wrap my tongue around it.” Camille was shocking herself by the words she was using. Devin took in a sharp breath of air, he must have been surprised as well, but at least it turned him on.
“I want to be inside you, Camille. I want to rip off your panties with my tongue and stick my fingers inside you.”
Camille moaned again. She had started stroking herself as well, making herself wetter with each passing second. She could picture Devin naked in front of her. His tattoos, his ripping muscles, the ease with which he carried her around, and how small she felt with him over her. Camille shut her eyes tightly and started stroking more vigorously.
“I want to make you cum, Camille. I want to see those breasts swing,” he said, and she threw her head back. She had forgotten that she was pleasuring herself; her fingers stroking herself were Devin’s fingers. She pushed her underwear aside and slipped in two of her fingers, and heard herself moan loudly.
“I’m going to ravage that body when I see you next, Camille. I’m going to lick every inch of you. Pump into you until you tell me to stop.” Devin’s voice had become heavy, and he was breathing raspy. She could sense that he was pushing himself over the edge. He was stroking himself thinking of her, and they were both losing control.
Camille had never managed to pleasure herself this way. She had never bothered to, and she had never felt this good either. Now her fingers were inside her, sliding in and out, her juices were seeping out, her fingers were sticky and wet, and she was touching herself there, where Devin had managed to touch her. She was close to her orgasm, and she screamed his name.
“Devin! I’m going to cum!” she yelled, and Devin groaned.
“Cum with me Camille, let me cum inside you,” she heard him say before her mind lost all control. She was on a high, her body writhed and her hips moved of their own accord. She gyrated against the cushions on her couch while her fingers remained inside her. It was too exciting and felt too good for her to fathom.
When her breathing subsided, she heard Devin laugh a little. It was a laugh of satisfaction.
“Sweet dreams, Devin. I have to go now,” she told him and ended the call. The smile on her face remained as she held the phone in her hands and sunk back into the couch. She was going to sleep well tonight.
Devin
Four weeks had gone by in the blink of an eye. Even though Devin had a lot of business to take care of, and he had been away from Miami for most of that time, he couldn't believe how much he missed Camille when he couldn’t see her.
The upcoming art show had kept her busy too so that they only had the chance to meet three times in those four weeks. And she hadn’t stayed over on any of those nights because she wanted to wake up early and he’d had work as well. Now his busy streak was finally over, the art show was in two days, and he had convinced her that he should take her shopping.
He was waiting for her, leaning on his Harley outside her apartment building. Camille finally appeared at the door. She was in a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans with a loose oversized t-shirt tucked in and a wide black belt. She looked too young, too innocent and beautiful for a life with him, he thought. But Devin smiled nonetheless. Camille came bouncing down the steps towards him. They hadn’t seen each other in over five days, and by the look on her face, she had missed him just as much as he had missed her.
“Devin!” Her cheeks flushed with excitement as she came running towards him. He extended his arms so that she fell into them and he picked her up. They kissed passionately, and when he pulled away, her cheeks were still flushed. The large silver hoops in her ears shook as she laughed.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said, and he released her, her sneakers touching the ground again.
“I’ve been dying to see you. You look gorgeous,” he replied, and she tucked in some curls behind her ears in embarrassment. She really didn’t know how to take a compliment, Devin thought and laughed.
“All set for the show?” he asked as she walked around to hop on the bike.
“Yes, all set. The paintings and sketches have been transported to Evangeline’s storage. Now it’s all in her hands,” Camille said as she slid her legs over the backseat like a pro, and waited for him to settle in. Devin smiled and buckled up his helmet. He felt her arms wrap around his waist as he revved up his engine.
“Are you as excited about it as I am?” he asked, and he felt Camille nuzzle up behind him.
“You have no idea, and thank you again, Devin. For doing this for me.”
He turned sideways to face her. Their faces were close, and she placed a small kiss on his helmet where his lips would have been, and Devin immediately felt the tension from his shoulder muscles subside. She always had a calming effect on him.
“You’re very welcome, but don’t thank me. It’s all about your talent, and you deserve it, Camille.” He smiled, but she couldn’t see it behind his helmet. But she looked happy nonetheless.
“Remind me again, why you’re taking me shopping?” she asked with a giggle.
“Because you will need a grand new dress for the show and I want to treat you to something nice,” he said and started his bike before she could protest again. Unlike all the other women he had ever dated, Camille Griffin was shy about compliments, and also shied away from accepting gifts. He wanted to do this for her; he wanted her to feel like a princess at the show and be the center of attention. Devin had a feeling, even though she had told him very little about her life, that Camille had grown up with very little. He wanted to make her feel appreciated for her talents. She deserved it for how good she made him feel.
They arrived at Dorothy’s boutique fifteen minutes later, and he could already sense Camille’s inhibitions as they got off the bike.
“I thought we were just going to the mall,” he heard her say as she hopped off the bike behind him. He took off his helmet, parked the bike and got off himself. He couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. He had brought her to the most exclusive boutique in the city. Dorothy Patterson catered to celebrities, millionaires, and dressed film stars for the red carpet; she designed everything from clothes to accessories, to jewelry. This could be their one-stop destination for the perfect look for Camille for the art show.
“You deserve something special. An artist needs to sell herself just as much as her art,” Devin said, placing a hand on her waist as he led her towards the entrance to the store. Camille hesitated; he could feel the tension in her shoulders.
“But this is too much, Devin. Dorothy Patterson’ boutique!” she whispered as he pushed her gently towards the store.
“I wouldn’t bring you here if I didn’t think I could afford it.”
Camille turned to him while biting her lips in nervousness. “I didn’t know models make that much money,” she said, and Devin smiled.
“I also have my business,” he said, and Camille raised her eyebrows.
“Which I know nothing about, but which you insist is a hundred percent legitimate,” she replied, finally giving up and walking at his pace. Devin laughed and stroked the small of her back as he held open the glass doors to the boutique.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with that. Just enjoy today, and concentrate on your art. I promise I won’t get us into trouble.”
Camille walked past him into the boutique, wide-eyed and nervous. She turned to him with a half-baked smile as she waited for him to join her.
“I just want you to stay safe, that’s all,” she said, and Devin leaned in to plant a long kiss on her forehead.
***
It was Devin who was insisting that she try out every possible dress at the store. He was sitting opposite the changing rooms, and Dorothy Patterson’ assistant kept handing Camille dresses over the curtains for her to try on.
This time, Camille parted the curtains and stepped out. The assistant had even picked out shoes for her to wear. It was a glittering silver cocktail dress with long sleeves and a plunging back that reached just above her butt. The shoes were high, silvery heels and Camille walked out in the outfit looking nervous and shy.
“Give me a twirl,” Devin said with a satisfied smile on his face, and Camille turned slowly. He could feel himself move in his pants as he watched her. But she looked uncomfortable.
“Just one more, the black one, and then you can choose which one you want,” Devin said, sitting back in the chair, and Camille rolled her eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re making me do this!” she snapped, trying to suppress a smile as well. As much as she tried to deny it to herself, she was enjoying the experience. The assistant brought over a silver tray with two champagne glasses that they both accepted. Devin could see the excitement in Camille’s eyes. She was still nervous and shy, but she was thrilled about it all too.
“Go ahead, just one more,” he urged.
Camille bit down on her lip and nodded. “The black one please, Joanne,” she said, leaning in towards Dorothy’s assistant. Devin smiled, he was right… Camille was having fun.
She parted the curtains and disappeared again, while Joanne handed the black dress over to her. Devin took another long sip of the champagne and settled in for the show. Who would have ever imagined it, he thought to himself, Devin Rock in a premier boutique, shopping for dresses for a girl who wasn’t even officially his girlfriend. And he was actually having fun! He could do this all day. He could watch Camille all day.
In a few minutes, she stepped out through the curtains again. And this time, Devin knew that this dress was created for her.
The dress was in black lace that reached her knees with a shimmering black layer underneath that only reached mid-thigh. The neck plunged to a V, pronouncing Camille’s breasts. Joanne had picked out high stilettos in turquoise to clash with the dress and was now suggesting a matching turquoise clutch.
Camille came out looking at Devin, she was watching his reaction as he drunk her in.
“You could go with blue tones in your makeup too. For your eyeshadow and a pale lip,” Joanne suggested, but neither of them paid her any attention. They were both looking at each other. Camille could see it in Devin’s eyes that he wanted to rip that dress off her. He wanted to pin her against the wall, right there in the middle of the boutique, and fuck her.
“Thank you, Joanne, we’ll take this one,” Camille said, breaking their eye contact as she turned to the assistant and smiled. Joanne smiled, nodded, and walked away.
“I should get out of this,” Camille spoke to Devin in a whisper.
“Yes, you probably should before I rip it off you. You look beautiful, Camille.” He got up from his chair to walk to her. Camille placed her hands on his chest, and they kissed again. This time it was a hungrier kiss. They had both seen the look in each other’s eyes. It was evidence of their raging attraction for each other. The dress was just a symbol.
She tore away from him, and he pulled her back again, and now he was kissing her neck, and she threw her head back. He placed his fingers on the lacey straps on her shoulders, and he was just about to tug them away when they heard Joanne clear her throat. They both whipped around to look at her, and she had turned her head away.
“Mrs. Patterson was wondering if we could also interest you in some jewelry?” Joanne asked.
“No, thank you,” Camille replied while Devin chimed in with a, “Yes.”
“I’ll have a look around for what might suit the dress best,” Joanne said before dropping her head and walking away. Camille turned with widened eyes to Devin, who smiled back at her.
“I really don’t need jewelry,” Camille said, pulling away from him slightly.
“Let’s just have a look and see if we can find something for you,” he said, and Camille shook her head.
“No, Devin, this dress is expensive enough.”
He placed a finger on her lips. “Go get changed, and we’ll go look at a few earrings. Something in turquoise to go with your shoes and purse.”
She gulped, looked at him, and then turned to go back into the changing rooms. Devin was having just as much fun as she was.
***
“These are in turquoise and clear quartz,” Joanne said, looping the earrings into Camille’s ears. She then held a small mirror up for her to see while Devin stood behind her.
“I think they’re perfect,” he said, and Joanne nodded. Camille touched them as they dangled from her ears, and then she turned to look at him directly. Devin smiled at her, drinking in her matching blue eyes and the shape of her mouth that he so desperately wanted to kiss.
“Yes, they would have been perfect. But I was thinking diamonds,” he added, and while Camille gasped, Joanne nodded again.
“We can find something in diamonds too. Something in the same teardrop shape,” she replied, walking away.
Camille shook her head and took a few steps towards him. “Devin, diamonds!” She laughed.
“You deserve it. It’s your special night.” He touched her small shoulders, and she tried to suppress a smile.
They were standing in front of a glass case full of bracelets and rings. A solitaire diamond ring was displaced at the center of the flagship engagement ring display. Both their eyes fell on it at the same time, and Camille turned her head away, blushing.
“That’s a beautiful ring, isn’t it?” he asked, and Camille didn’t respond. She obviously didn’t want him to know that she had been looking at it as well. It was too beautiful and too big not to notice.
“That one? Yeah, it’s lovely,” Camille finally said, avoiding Devin’s gaze.
He could feel his emotions running high. Here was a ring alongside a woman he was in love with… could he ask her to marry him? He had never felt this way about anyone before. She made him feel good and had given him strength, and he wanted to protect her. Isn’t that what marriage was supposed to be?
“Do you want to try it on?” he asked, and Camille took a few steps away from him. That excited look from her face had drained, and she almost looked scared now.
“Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to marry me,” he said, and she licked her lips and nodded. “At least, not yet.” Camille was frozen to the spot again.
“Camille…” He walked up to her to hold her in his arms again. “I don’t mean to scare you. I thought we were just having a little fun and I wondered if you wanted to just try it on. It was an innocent suggestion,” he explained, and Camille nodded again.
“Of course. Yeah, no, I didn’t take it a different way,” she said and slipped away from him and walked over to the glass case, staring at the ring directly now. Devin dug his hands into the pockets of his jeans and watched her as she stood looking at the ring nervously.
What could possibly go wrong if he asked her to marry him right there? He was in love with her, that much was certain. He couldn’t think of a life with anybody else. It might be too soon, but what about their relationship was regular anyway?
“Yeah, I’ll try it on,” Camille said, suddenly turning to him and interrupting his thoughts. She looked determined; she looked like she was saying yes. Devin knew, just from her face, that if he asked right there, she would say yes.
“There we go.” Joanne appeared by their side again, and this time she opened a blue velvet box with a pair of diamond earrings. They were long, fat, and teardrop shaped, and Joanne took them out of the box to help Camille put them on.
Camille dragged her gaze away from Devin to wear them and then she looked at herself in the mirror again.
“They look great. They’ll go well with the dress,” Devin said, walking towards her. When she looked at him, her cheeks were red again. She had been clearly thinking about the ring and didn’t care about the earrings anymore. Devin smiled and placed his hands on her small hand on the counter.
“Thank you, Joanne, we’ll take the earrings, the bag, and the shoes,” he said and turned to the assistant, who smiled and walked away. Camille and Devin stood in silence. Camille continued to look at herself in the mirror while Devin looked at her reflection as well.
It was true, she made him happy, she was beautiful… and if he wasn’t wrong, she felt the same way about him. But why didn’t he ask her to marry him? Why did he let the moment pass? It was probably because, at the back of his mind, he knew what the truth was - that they could never live a normal life together, not the kind of normal life that Camille was used to.
His life was made up of unpredictable moments. He was constantly in harm’s way, and marrying someone would put her life in constant danger as well. And what if they had kids? He couldn’t do that to his own family.
But Camille would have said yes, he could see it in her eyes.
“Here’s your bill, Sir.” Joanne appeared again, and Devin reached for his pocket to pull out his wallet, and then handed her his card. Camille was following his every movement with her wide, frosty blue eyes.
“What happened back there, Devin?” She broke their silence, and he tried to smile.
“Just an awkward few moments,” he told her and reached for her shoulder. Camille smiled and then proceeded to take the earrings off.
“Don’t worry Devin, I don’t expect you to pop the question just because you made a small accidental suggestion.” She placed the earrings back in their box, then smiled, and he believed that she was smiling genuinely. What she said made him feel a little relieved, because as much as he would have wanted to make her his wife, a married life with him would be impossible for an innocent young girl like Camille. He would only be torturing her by asking her to marry him.
“Should we go get dinner then?” he asked, changing the subject.
Camille smiled as she looked at him and nodded. “I’m starving, and I’m suddenly craving a burrito,” she said, walking ahead of him just as Joanne came back with all their packed bags and his card.
Devin laughed as he carried the bags for Camille. “Burritos it is then.”
They both walked out of Dorothy’s Boutique with happy smiles on their faces. That moment had passed, and they had achieved what they had come here for - to find the perfect outfit for Camille so that she would be the center of attention at the art show.
Camille
On the night of the art show, Devin turned up outside Camille’s house in his car to pick both the girls up. Emotions were running high - Shayna was giddy with excitement while Camille kept her lips sealed, even when Devin kissed her.
“Just relax, Camille, it’ll all go well. You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear as she sunk down into the passenger seat. Camille had taken her time getting dressed. The shoes, the earrings, the clutch, the dress, the hair, and the neutral looking makeup… it all had to be perfect.
Shayna was in her usual fishnets, a black velvet dress, and lots of costume jewelry. Both of them praised each other for how beautiful they looked.
“Are we ready to go?” Devin asked as he settled into the front seat. Shayna clapped her hands and Camille turned to him with nervous eyes.
“Hey!” he said, touching her shoulders to reassure her again. “I know you’ve never done anything like this before, but you’re in good hands. If there’s anyone who could do a better job than Evangeline, I have yet to meet them.”
Camille nodded. He had dressed up for the occasion as well. Camille had never seen Devin in anything else except his leather jacket and jeans. Tonight he was in a navy suit, tailored to perfection and a red bowtie. He looked slick like a movie star, and she blushed every time their eyes met. The most gorgeous man she had ever met was driving her to her first art show.
They drove in relative silence. Each of them had their own nervous thoughts to think about, and when they reached the gallery, Evangeline was waiting outside to greet them. She was right, there were huge crowds and an even bigger media group waiting. It had all been kept a big secret, and she had been able to get the buzz going off the launch of a new artist. Nobody had seen a preview, so everyone was dying to know which new talented artist Evangeline Fox had discovered this time.
Evangeline surprisingly held the car door open for Camille as she stepped out, and they both exchanged kisses, something that Camille was still getting used to. As usual, Evangeline was the epitome of perfection. She was in an angelic white sheath dress that flowed like an old Greek princess around her as she moved. She had a floral necklace around her throat and matching earrings. She looked like she belonged on a meadow or a beach, but either way, she was able to carry it off well; creating her very own magical aura with every step she took.
“You look absolutely stunning, darling,” she said, clutching Camille’s arm with her cold, pale hands. A shiver ran down Camille’s spine, but she smiled anyway. She was grateful for everything that Evangeline had done for her and Shayna, and she couldn’t really blame her for anything now. Evangeline was being the poster child of friendliness.
“Hello, darlings, doesn’t Camille look lovely?” She turned her attention to Devin and Shayna while Camille tried to catch Devin’s gaze. She was still nervous, and she didn’t want him to leave her side, but Evangeline was leading her down the red carpet, on either side of which people had been barricaded out along with the press.
“We’ve made this a member’s only screening. Just for the first few hours, so that they can all have the best selection. The other walk-ins can come in after two hours and take the rest.” Evangeline waved her hands around as she spoke, entangling her long arms with Camille as they walked slowly towards the entrance.
“And we also have another little surprise for everyone,” she added, and Camille turned to her with her brows crossed. What more could Evangeline have possibly done? She was already so grateful to the woman.
“I decided that the best effect would be created if we all gathered in the gallery in darkness, just to heighten the tension. There’ll be a countdown, and then the lights will come on, and all the artwork can be revealed in one go. What do you think?” Evangeline turned excitedly from Camille to Devin, ignoring Shayna completely.
Camille looked over to Shayna who was walking behind them, and Shayna shrugged her shoulders.
“That sounds like a good idea, Evangeline, thank you for thinking of it,” Camille said meekly.
“You know best,” Devin said as he walked beside them.
“Smile and wave, honey.” Evangeline nudged Camille with her elbow as she turned to the flashing cameras and waved. Camille pasted a fake smile on her face and tried to weakly wave. This was not the life that she was used to; this was exactly the kind of fame she wanted to stay away from. But it was too late now.
“Camille.” Devin’s hands grabbed her by the waist just as they were about to enter the darkened gallery. Camille caught Evangeline turning to them with crossed eyebrows, and her expression changed again to a wide plastic smile. She grabbed Shayna’s hand instead and pulled her inside.
“Stand anywhere. Just don’t bump into anything,” Evangeline informed them before walking in with Shayna.
Camille turned to Devin, who placed a hooked thumb under her chin and lifted her face to look up at him.
“It’s all going well. You don’t have to stay in the limelight for the whole night. A couple of minutes more and once the artwork is revealed, you can get yourself lost in the crowd,” he told her, and she looked deep into his brown eyes. How did he always know exactly what she was thinking?
Camille smiled, grateful that he was right there by her side and she nodded. “Let’s go in, I’m ready.”
***
Evangeline had arranged for the gallery to be dark, but as their eyes adjusted to the lack of light, Camille could make out figures of people and canvases and framed artwork hanging on the walls. But the darkness wasn’t bright enough to reveal what the artwork was. Camille smiled as she stood with her hand clasped around Devin’s arm. This was all her. This was her work. Her moment. Her chance to shine.
There was the sound of a microphone being turned on, and then Evangeline’s voice filled the room.
“Good evening, ladies and gentleman. I am Evangeline Fox, and I welcome you to Camille Griffin’s show, ‘Country Crowns, A True Story.’”
All around Camille, in the darkness, the room erupted in loud clapping. She could sense that Devin beside her was clapping as well. She couldn’t stop smiling now.
“Once the lights come on in a few minutes, you will be able to witness the work of a truly talented young artist. We will also be handing out pamphlets for you to read a little more about Camille Griffin and the stories behind her work - a project she has completed in association with master storyteller, Shayna DuVry,” Evangeline continued, and there was more applause, even louder this time.
It was evident that people were losing their patience; they all wanted to see these brilliant pieces of art that Evangeline was promising them.
“So without further adieu,” Evangeline said, and Camille felt Devin’s mouth press against the side of her head. “I present to you, ‘Country Crowns, A True Story.’”
Suddenly all the lights turned on.
There was a gasping sound around her as the sheer force of the sudden lights first blinded Camille and then her vision began to clear up.
Her hand from Devin’s arm dropped, and her mouth automatically hung open. All her artwork, hanging from the walls, they had all been disfigured. They had been slashed with a sharp object, like a knife, right down the center, and what looked like black ink had been splashed all over them. None of them looked the same - they had all been destroyed. They had all been originals, the only copies of all her artwork. A lifetime’s worth of work… gone.
There was silence in the gallery, except for the gasps that were still erupting around her. Then Camille heard Shayna’s loud wail.
“What the fuck!” Shayna’s voice pierced through the air, but Camille was frozen on the spot.
“What is going on? Who did this?” Devin thundered, but all Camille could do was stare at her destroyed art.
“I apologize, ladies and gentlemen. There seems to have been some sort of confusion. Please give me a few moments,” Evangeline’s voice rang through the microphone again, and finally, Camille looked up at her.
Evangeline looked as confused as her; she looked like she was on the verge of tears too. She dropped the microphone and came running towards them, pushed Devin out of her way, and pulled Camille into her arms. Camille felt the cold skin on Evangeline’s shoulder as she forced Camille to rest her head there.
“I’m so sorry, Camille. I have no idea what happened. They were all fine when we arranged them and turned off the lights. I checked them all myself. I can’t believe this,” she said, and Camille heard the tears in Evangeline’s voice.
Camille straightened herself; hot tears were prickling the back of her eyelids. They were threatening to come gushing down her cheeks, but she was forcing herself to not cry.
“Camille…” she heard Devin’s voice beside her, but nothing was making sense, none of it mattered. Her work, her soul… was all destroyed.
“Camille!” she heard Shayna’s voice and turned to her best friend. They both hugged tightly, aware that everyone’s eyes were on her.
“This bitch did this!” Shayna screamed, turning on Evangeline, but Camille held her back.
“She has nothing to do with this. Shayna, just calm down.” Camille tried to talk to Shayna in a calm controlled voice but it wasn’t working, Shayna was in tears too, just like Evangeline.
“Camille…” it was Devin who was calling her name again, and this time when she turned to look at him, she saw a look on his face that she had never seen before. He looked destroyed; he looked as though he was mourning the loss of his own paintings. Like he had spent his whole life working on them himself.
“Camille…” he said, and she turned straight into his arms. His hands were on her head, stroking her hair. She snuggled into his arms and closed her eyes, still forcing the tears back.
“I don’t know what to say, Camille. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have forced you into this,” he whispered, cradling her in his arms. Camille shook her head and looked up at him. She knew that he could see it on her face, that she was doing everything in her power to stop herself from crying. Her nose was bright red, her cheeks were flushed, and the back of her neck was burning up, but she was holding herself together. She wasn’t going to cry. She was an artist. She was Cammy.
“It’s alright, Devin. I can deal with it,” she said, and she heard Evangeline’s wail again.
“No, Camille, you shouldn’t have to deal with it. This is all my fault. I should have been more careful; I should have taken the insurance out against vandalism. I should have known that you could have enemies - competitors against your art,” Evangeline told her through her tears.
None of those things were making sense to her. Enemies? Competitors? Nobody even knew that Camille drew; she had always published the comic books under a pen name. Who could have held a secret grudge against her work?
“Why would Camille have any enemies?” It was Shayna who came thundering forward and wedged a gap between Evangeline and Camille.
“Shayna, please just… don’t make a scene,” Camille whispered. She had lost her voice somehow, and Devin’s hand had disappeared from her shoulders too, so she was feeling more and more now like she was losing all her strength.
“Yes, Shayna. That’s the last thing we want - to drive all my guests away,” Evangeline snapped at Shayna, turning on her with her wide piercing eyes.
“Shut up. You messed this up. Screw your guests!” Shayna screamed, and this time it was Devin who came over and put a calming hand on her shoulder.
“Shayna, let’s all just take the time to figure this out,” he said while Camille bit down on her lip, trying to hold the tears back.
“Figure what out? It’s all ruined. Destroyed. Because of your jealous ex-girlfriend.” Shayna was still speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Oh my God!” Evangeline wailed, and Camille stepped in again.
“Shayna, please, leave her out of this. Can we all just please calm down?” She tried to make her voice heard, but neither Shayna nor Evangeline listened. They had started quarreling among themselves, and Devin simply shook his head and came over to her.
“Camille, I feel so bad. How can I fix this?” he asked, and Camille shook her head. She was too lost in thought; it was all too confusing. Why would anybody do this to her work? What could anybody possibly have against her?
“You can fix it by shutting them up, please Devin, before they go out of control here,” Camille said, with her lips quivering, and with one nod of the head, Devin stepped in between the two quarreling women and separated them with his hands. He was holding Shayna and Evangeline at bay, who were only seconds away from scratching each other’s faces off.
“Camille, you have to believe me. Devin… I had nothing to do with this,” Evangeline said, clutching Camille’s hands again. She tried to wriggle out of her grip.
“I believe you, Evangeline, please just let me go now. I need to think,” Camille told her, finally being able to free herself.
“I suppose I should just call it off. I should go and make the announcement right now,” Evangeline said, wiping some tears away from her face.
“No, wait!” Camille called out to her. “I’ll announce it. It’s my art.” Camille walked past Evangeline, not giving her the opportunity to protest or interfere. She walked straight to the discarded microphone while everyone else’s eyes followed the disgraced artist across the gallery floor.
She picked up the microphone, switched it on, and faced her audience. Camille tried hard to not look at Devin or Shayna’s defeated faces. She didn’t feel defeated yet. Not when she had Devin by her side.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am Camille Griffin, and as you all can see, I also used to be an artist,” she said nervously and smiled. A few people in the crowd smiled at her too. However, most people were too much in shock to find that statement funny. Certainly, nobody was laughing.
“It appears as though my art offended a few people.” She stretched her hands, indicating to the destroyed frames hanging on the walls. Everyone looked at her with rapt attention and Camille tucked in a few curls behind her ears and continued. “It was that good.”
There was laughter this time and more people smiled. When she looked at Shayna, she looked like she was still in shock. Devin looked like he was in disbelief. He hadn’t been expecting this reaction from Camille. Evangeline, on the other hand, looked angry!
“I do urge you all to, however, not leave this gallery empty-handed. You all came here today to be stunned and shocked by my art, and truly, have I not achieved that?” Camille added, and then was a sudden murmur in the room. People were talking amongst themselves, consulting each other. And suddenly the mood had started to change.
“Isn’t this art in itself? Look around you, and you will find that each piece of vandalized art here will speak to you, straight to your soul.” Camille wasn’t fumbling with her words any longer. She was confident, and Devin had been right, an artist needs to sell themselves just as much as their artwork.
“Buy one of these pieces today, and I’ll sign it for you, and this night’s presentation will be etched in your memory for life. You’ll have a piece of vandalism hanging from your living room walls as a steady reminder that this kind of hateful action cannot kill an artist’s soul. Thank you all very much for coming,” she finished and switched off the microphone. She couldn’t even hear her own footsteps as the whole gallery erupted in the loudest applause of the night. She could see Shayna wiping a few tears from her cheeks. Devin was clapping the loudest. He looked proud and happy, and like he couldn’t wait to have her in his arms again.
Camille smiled as she walked towards him. Her life’s work had been destroyed, but she was in a room full of people who were going to buy her destroyed artwork, who would remember her name forever, and that was worth something. Whoever had destroyed her art had done her a huge favor.
“Devin,” she said as she fell into his open arms.
“You are a shining star, Camille,” she heard him say in her ear as he held her tight and kissed her cheeks.
People were still clapping, Shayna included, but Evangeline had disappeared. But Camille wasn’t concerned about the truth. She was just happy knowing that she and her art were being appreciated. Even if it was in the most absurd way possible.