I excuse myself from the conversation between Margo, Winnie, and Emma. They were very nice to include me, but as they huddle together in the fanciest bathroom I’ve ever seen in my life, I realize I’m just a bystander to what seems to be a very private conversation.
I sneak away as Emma fires question after question at Winnie, not even giving her time to respond before asking another. None of them notice me leaving, which I prefer. I’ll find them later tonight after they’ve ironed out their conversation.
It takes me a few moments to stumble back to the elegant ballroom. I keep getting lost in small rooms full of people mingling. When I’d agreed to come to the gala, I imagined something completely different than what it actually is. I knew Camden had money, but I just didn’t imagine him in this lavish of situations.
I’m trying to squeeze next to a group of women deep in conversation when I pick up Camden’s name from one of their mouths. “Did you see who Camden Hunter brought tonight?”
My steps pause for a moment. I know I shouldn’t listen, but I can’t help it. I want to know what else they’ll say.
“I don’t get it. He’s dated far prettier. Why bring her?”
“Because he probably found it funny,” one woman offers with a high-pitched laugh. “Or thought it’d be great publicity for his newest gallery if he brought someone from that tiny, shitty town. He’ll use her and then discard her when he grows bored.” There’s a pause for a moment, or maybe it’s the blood rushing through my ears that makes me unable to hear anything else. Regardless, I don’t hear anything until the same voice adds, “That’s what he does to every woman. This country nobody will be no different.”
My face flushes with embarrassment. Part of me wants to walk up to them and tell them to not be so careless with their words. To tell them I’m a human with feelings and that Sutten is actually an amazing town and doesn’t deserve the hate they’re giving it. The other part of me focuses on what they said about Camden, letting doubt creep into my mind when I know they shouldn’t be.
I hurry away before I can say something I’ll regret. Camden made it clear to anyone who asked on the red carpet that I was his. He doesn’t seem to be hiding anything, but we still haven’t truly defined what we are. As I make my way to the ballroom, searching for Camden, I can’t help but wonder if their words ring true. What were his reasons for wanting me to come tonight?
I can’t find him anywhere at first, completely circling the room, looking for his familiar broad shoulders and icy gaze. Finally, I spot him, seeming to be in a heated discussion with the asshole I spilled a drink on from his gallery opening. Jack, I think? Or maybe Jason?
Camden stands with his back straight as a board, his hands crossed over his chest in an almost defensive position. I stop, wondering what I should do. If I take a few steps closer, I might be able to hear their conversation, but I don’t know if it’s something he’d want me to join in on or not.
Someone bumps into me, pushing me slightly closer to them, allowing me to now overhear bits of their conversation.
“I don’t see a reason for any of this.” Camden seethes, the venom in his voice making me pause. I’ve never heard him that angry, even if his anger has been aimed at me before.
“That’s a silly comment, considering you’re the one who gave me the idea in the first place,” Jason responds. “Without you, none of this would be possible.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If you hadn’t bought the Sutten gallery and invited us all, I wouldn’t have been introduced to the lucrative real estate market in Sutten Mountain.”
“My space was actually up for sale when I purchased it,” Camden hisses.
“Mine was, too, once I gave the right price and talked to the right people. Why are you acting this way, Hunter? That country broad giving you such good sex she’s got you not thinking clearly?”
“You’re a goddamn disgrace,” Camden spits.
I’m so stunned by the conversation that I can’t move, my mind trying to piece together what they could possibly be talking about.
“Jason, tell me the price, and I’ll buy it from you.”
I can only see a sliver of Jason’s face, but I see a smile form. “I’d have to like you to do that, and I haven’t forgotten how you embarrassed me. I’d much rather raise the rent for the existing tenants higher and higher until they can’t afford it any longer. Then they’ll have no choice but to leave, and I can bring in people we know to rent the spaces. We’ll take over that shithole town that tourists seem to love, and it’ll all be because you started it.”
I can’t stand back any longer. I walk until my fingers are wrapping around Camden’s bicep, pulling on him until I’m forcing him to look at me. “What’s going on?” I ask, my eyes desperately searching his face to figure out what’s happening.
Jason gives me a sinister smile. It makes my skin crawl. I hate that Camden knows people like him. One look at the man and it’s evident that he’s a terrible person. “Look who it is, the little bitch who wasn’t taught manners.”
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Camden snaps, his voice booming. It’s so loud it catches the attention of others around us.
I don’t even care what Jason called me; I’m still trying to process what he’d said before.
“Camden?” I ask, my voice trembling, even though I hate it. “What’s going on?”
“I think he wanted to hide it from you, but I can cut to the chase and tell you I’m your new landlord.”
My heart sinks. It hurts even worse when Camden’s eyes don’t meet mine. Instead, his jaw clenches as he stares down at his shoes. I want him to look up, to look at me and explain what’s happening.
He does neither.
Instead, I’m left with the sneering Jason, his beady eyes gleefully staring at me like his entire night has been made by sharing this information.
“I’m confused,” I stammer, trying to have my mind play catch-up. None of this makes sense. Why would he be my landlord? Why would he have anything to do with Sutten?
“I’m buying your business location, along with the others on the block. They’ll all be mine once everything goes through. And then, you’ll pay me or get out to make room for people who can actually afford it.”
I feel sick. The world seems to get fuzzy around me as I think through what he’s just said.
“Why?” I squeak, my voice sounding meek and timid. I hate everything about it.
He looks over at Camden, and I do the same thing, finding his eyes finally on me. All I can see is regret in them. It hurts my heart because I don’t even fully understand why he’s looking at me like that.
Jason lets out a low laugh. It sends goose bumps down my skin because it’s weird and creepy, and I’m uncomfortable even being in his presence.
“Because Camden showed me how booming the market is in your tiny town. People flock to it, and I didn’t even visit during your busy season. Imagine the profits we could make from specific stores during the ski season. It isn’t personal.” He looks over at Camden, who refuses to look away from me. “Or maybe it is. Either way, you’ll find a way to pay me big, or I’ll replace your store with someone who will.”
“The owners weren’t selling,” I note, looking to Camden for clarification.
“Jason swooped in and convinced them.” He reaches to grab me, but I put my hands up to stop him. I can’t have him touch me right now, not when he might be the very reason everything I’ve worked for goes up in flames.
“I’ll fix it,” Camden adds, his voice low enough for just me to hear. “I just need time. I’ve had Daly on it all day.”
My eyes widen as a lump forms in my throat. This can’t be happening. “You…you knew?” I hate how my shaky voice betrays every single one of my emotions.
I look weak right now, and I can’t even begin to care because mostly, I feel betrayed by the man I’ve fallen in love with. The guilt is written all over his face. In the way he frowns, a crease appearing on his forehead as his eyes move from mine for just a fraction of a second in pretty much an admission of guilt.
“I found out earlier, but I didn’t want to tell you until I knew more.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me the moment you found out this asshole was trying to get rid of everything I’ve ever worked for?”
“I didn’t know it was him,” Camden counters. “I just knew the block was under contract, and I’ve done enough business to know the intentions when big real estate groups buy up smaller real estate.”
“Because you’re one of them.” Everything comes crashing down all at once. My reality gets messed up as I realize Camden is exactly who I originally thought he was—not who I hoped he was. Which unfortunately means he belongs in their world—not mine.
Camden winces like my words actually hurt him. “Don’t say that,” he rasps. “I’m going to fix it.”
I shake my head back and forth slowly, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Before I can say anything else, Jason speaks up. “I’ll let the two of you handle this. I look forward to speaking with you more, Pippy. The deal should be final soon. Keep an eye out for the rent increase.”
“It’s Pippa,” Camden fumes, cutting a glare in Jason’s direction. “And you’ll be speaking to me sooner because this isn’t over.”
Jason gives a satisfied smile. “Give it up, Hunter. You should thank me. This can only lead to you getting higher-paying customers.”
He leaves, and everything I want to say to him gets stuck in my throat. I’m in shock and dealing with too much hurt to speak. Not with my world crashing down around me with the realization that Camden’s and my worlds are too vastly different to work.
“I’ll fix this,” Camden promises, trying to reach for my hand. I pull mine back, not wanting to feel his skin against mine. If I let him touch me, my head will become foggy all over again, and I can’t have that right now. I need to think clearly. I have to figure out a way to stop this.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” I ask, looking around at the partygoers who are eyeing us over their shoulders.
“We can talk wherever you want to talk. Just please don’t shut down on me. I’m going to fix it.”
All I can do is nod because the lump in my throat is too big. I want to believe him with every part of me, but for him to fix this, he’d have to go against the only world he’s ever known.
He places his hand on my back, steering me through the people until we step out to the cold breeze of the night. There’s a chill to the fall air, making my skin break out in goose bumps.
Camden begins to shrug out of his jacket. “Take my jacket,” he insists, pulling his second arm free.
I shake my head. “I’m fine.”
His eyes darken, his icy-blue irises turning dark and stormy. “You’re rubbing your arms like you’re cold. Take it. Now.”
I don’t argue when he places it on my shoulders, even though I know it is a bad idea. I’m engulfed in his smell, a scent that’s become too comforting to me. A scent I’ve grown far too accustomed to when I knew in the back of my mind one day I’d have to let it go.
I hate it, but I can’t help but wonder if today is that day.
Camden doesn’t take a step back. His hands stay on my shoulders as his eyes search my face. “I need you to talk to me. I need to know that we’ll figure this out together.”
I cut my gaze from his, unable to look him in the eye. It hurts too much. “Maybe it’s best we don’t.”
His body jerks like I’ve hit him. “Nothing will ever be the best for me if it isn’t with you.”
My legs shake, and I realize that maybe it isn’t the cold air making me shiver. Maybe it’s the heaviness of the reality of our ending finally hitting me. “My entire world is that cafe, Camden.” My voice quakes, but I keep talking because I don’t care if he sees me break down. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted. Everything I’ve worked hard for.”
Tears pour down my face. He tries to reach out and wipe them away, but I turn my head to avoid him. “My mom helped me pick out everything there. We spent hours at the hardware store, selecting the perfect shade of pink. She helped me design a logo and went to countless thrift stores with me to help decorate the place. I walk into that building every morning and feel her with me. She’s everywhere in it. And some rich asshole in a suit wants to take that from me.” My head rocks back and forth as my eyes close. I can’t see anything through the tears. “I can’t lose this one thing I still have of hers.”
He tentatively grabs my chin. When he tries to coax it up, I fight him, not wanting to look at him. He sighs, not forcing my head up, even though I know he wants to.
“I told you I’ll fix it. I stick to my word. You won’t lose it, baby. Let me fix this for you.”
I let out a shaky breath. “You wouldn’t have to fix it if you hadn’t tried to fix Sutten in the first place.” I know my words are harsh, that he doesn’t deserve them, but there’s an irrational part of me that thinks they’re true. If he hadn’t tried making Sutten something it wasn’t, then businessmen like Jason wouldn’t have ever threatened everything I’ve worked for.
“I never could’ve imagined he’d do this.” His voice catches with emotion. “You have to believe me on that.”
I finally look at him. I can’t help myself, and I regret it the moment our eyes connect. Because I know he means that, and I hate myself for ever even having the thought to blame him for this. It isn’t his fault, but I’m lost and scared, and I hate that I’m lashing out at him.
“I need to go back to Sutten,” I tell him, my voice quaking.
“We’ll go together.”
I shake my head. “I think I should go home alone.”
