“Oh, hey, Savannah,” I say as if I’m shocked to see her standing in front of me in a tight, slim body con dress with the sides cut out. Her makeup and hair are perfect as always, but her gaze is stern. I hate her.
“Surprise seeing you here,” she says.
“Yeah, same. I’m here for work. I’m guessing you are too?”
“Of course, I am,” she says, flipping some thick curls over her shoulder, her gaze fixed on me. “Just having dinner with one of the Italian designers I’ve been working with.”
“That sounds nice.” I force a smile. Her attention turns to JJ, pursing her lips. “And this is?”
“JJ,” he says, offering out his hand.
“Lovely name,” she says condescendingly, but he just holds her smile as if he doesn’t care. I didn’t ask him what he does for work. I should because he’s got a good poker face. “Well, it was nice seeing you, Cameron. I’ll be sure to let Austen know I saw you out on a date.”
The way she says it, it’s like she knows something. Does she know what happened with us? Did he tell her?
No way. He wouldn’t have told her. There is no way he would tell her that after he basically threatened me to never speak of it again. But then why would she say it like that? Almost like it was blackmail or something?
She walks away, back to her table and her fancyItalian designer.
“She’s a peach,” JJ says, emptying his glass.
“Fucking tell me about it.”
We get the check, and though I try to pay, JJ refuses to let me. I’m just about to get up for us to leave when Savannah stops at the table with theItalian designer.
“Cameron Scott. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He offers out his hand and I raise a brow, glancing at JJ before looking back at him and taking it.
“You are?”
“Matteo Vitale,” he says and my throat goes dry. “I’ve seen your work through the years. I was hoping we could work together some day.”
His accent is there, but not so thick that I can’t understand him. He’s got this arrogant air about him, and you just know this guy is a douchebag.
“Yeah, that would be great.”
“Very good,” he says. “Just keep in mind that I do not tolerate gossip, Mr. Scott.” My eyebrows shoot up, and he smiles before adding, “Have a lovely night.”
He and Savannah leave, heading for the door.
“I think that was supposed to be a threat,” JJ comments.
“Yeah,” I say. “I agree.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Austen
I swivel back and forth in my chair, sketchpad in my lap as I try to figure out what’s… missing.
I’ve sketched Ari, the main lead character inA War of Fire & Icefor years. Technically, I’ve been drawing him since high school, since the idea of creatingA War of Fire & Icecame to me one night while Cam and I were up late playing video games.
You’d think after all these years, I’d have him down to a T, but every rendition just doesn’t feel right, and every time I try to research what’s popular and trending in the development community, it changes.
I blow out a breath as the wind picks up outside, the tree branches rustling against my office window.
There’s a thunderstorm warning for our area, but it hasn’t started yet, though I kind of wish it would.
I love when it storms. I find it relaxing, the sound of the rain, the rumble of the thunder. Light some candles and grab a glass of wine and my sketchpad, and I’m in my element.
