After she ordered a drink and food, we got adjusted with me standing between the pair. I had hoped the happy hour crowd would die down soon, and I’d get another chair, but I’d happily stand for her until a table opened up.
“So,” I began, trying my best to seem casual. “How long have you had this gallery?” I knew the answer to that.
She moved her long braids behind her back, smiling up at me. “About five years. It’s doing really well. I made a lot of connections when I worked as an art dealer up in New York.”
“I didn’t even know you were back.” Of course, I did. I knew everything that happened in my city. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited before. What’s it called?” I knew the answer to that, too.
“The Robinson Gallery.”
Sam snapped his fingers and pointed at her. “I think I went to a party there a couple of years ago.”
She nodded. “Most likely. We do a lot of events there. I’m not always able to be there, so it’s possible we could have missed each other.”
“Can’t believe I didn’t know it was you. Gotta support and buy some fancy art, right, Harry?”
Pfft, he was late to the game. I’d already bought many of her pieces anonymously. Half of my place was decorated with art from her New York and Philly galleries. But again, it wasn’t the time for her to know that. I nodded, still gazing at Camilla, both impressed and proud of her. However, seeing her so close to me, interacting with me, was making things harder…for my concentration. Not for anything else. Although my lower region might disagree. Her delicious scent, her body in that dress, she was sending me out of my usual control.
She tilted her head slightly to me. “I heard you had a fancy country club. I’ve been wanting to check it out, but…” Her smile faltered, and I didn’t question why. Knew that, too.
She knew my family’s reputation. Her father did some business with us from time to time, and her uncle served as a healer for us since we were younger. However, that wasn’t the issue. The last time I spoke to Camilla, it wasn’t good. In fact, it was fair to say we had not left on the best of terms. I wouldn’t blame her for not feeling welcomed to come to my club. That was purely my fault.
I raised a hand to touch her, but thought better of it and rested it on the back of her chair instead. I thought if I touched her again, I wouldn’t be able to let go of her this time. It’d been far too long since I’d been close to her, and I never forgot how she made me feel. She felt like home, and I’d felt homeless for far too long. “You should come. Free membership for you.”
Her almond-shaped eyes rounded, plump lips parted in shock. I wanted to feel those lips on mine. Taste her. I was sure she’d be as sweet as her scent. Someone punch me in the face; I could not get this fixated on her. Well, not yet. And not in front of her before I was ready. I blinked rapidly and looked away.
“You don’t have to do that, Harris. I’ll take a discount, though,” she replied with a sweet smile.
I shook my head quickly. “No, you’re family. Family visits for free.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, opening her mouth, then closing it. She wanted to say something in retort. I had my guesses what. To her, I hadn’t been treating her like family the past several years. I could pretend to be surprised, but I knew why she had that reaction. I pressed my lips together as tightly as my tusks would allow and shrank back from the memories.
Sam lifted a shoulder, seemingly oblivious to the mood as always. “Harry’s usually pretty stingy, so if he says it’s free for you, then take it.”
I rolled my eyes before glaring at my little brother. I wish he would leave. Then again, if he hadn’t been here, I’m not sureCamilla would have come to me. “I’m not stingy. I’m very giving. I always donate to charity, and the number of times I’ve taken care of my youngest brother here for free is immeasurable.”
Camilla giggled, turning to him and it felt like she was shutting me out with just that one move. “Oh, I remember how much of a menace he was when he was little.”
Sam was seven years younger than us, but he found a way to always be around when we were teenagers. I think he had a crush on Camilla then. Just like me. “He stillisa menace.”
Sam shrugged. “Hey, I’m better now. You may not know this, Cammy, but I’ve been through some shit.”
“That would be an understatement,” I muttered.
She picked up her glass of Prosecco. “Care to fill me in?”
I stood quietly as Sam gave her the quick and dirty recap of all that he’d been through. The kidnapping by a demon gang forced my middle brother, Marcus, to rescue him. Then his death and resurrection by Marcus’s now fiancée. By the end of his tale, our food had come, and a high-top table opened in the bar area. We relocated there and settled in to eat.
“I think,” Camila began, “that it’s important that you use this second chance to be the best you can be. And it sounds like you have been. I’m proud of you, Sammy.”
I paused cutting my steak and looked over to her. She said that so easily, so sincerely. I felt slightly guilty I’d never said I was proud of Sam myself, but she didn’t know all that he put me through. I glanced over at my brother, who was looking at her with a childish smile. He would be riding that high for a week. Just as he had when she complimented him as a kid.
“I hope you aren’t working yourselves too hard, though,” she continued.
Sam shrugged. “You know I don’t, but I don’t think Harris knows the meaning of the word break.”
She shook her head, glancing over at me before quickly looking away. “You always were a hard worker. Both in school and with your family. Way too serious. Everyone needs a break.”
I cocked a brow. “It’s when you take a break that all hell breaks loose.”
