She looks better when she does, like she’s bolstering up her defenses. No one was there to praise her growing up, so she’s defaulted to singing her own so that she can hear the words. If you hear something enough, you eventually start to believe it, so she’s channeled that into complimenting herself in a bid to feel more confident.
The waitress gives her a look, rolling her eyes, and my jaw tenses. So help me, if this woman says anything, I will buy this place just to fire her. She takes our order and flits off, all the while eyeing Atlas hungrily.
“Luce?” Cambria asks, and it shouldn’t please me as much as it does that she’s adopted using the nickname.
“Hmm?”
“I was asking what you thought about Atlas’ idea,” she prompts. “About him not renewing the lease on his apartment.”
I nod, pulling myself out of my thoughts and back into the conversation. “Logically and financially it makes the most sense. I have a few extra rooms, so we can make it work. This way we can also redirect the funds to getting a bigger apartment when we travel,” I selectively state in case there are any prying ears, “instead of your studio.”
She sighs, but I have to wait to understand what I said wrong as the waitress brings out our drinks. Cambria’s eyes narrow on the napkin that was delivered with Atlas’, and I can’t help but be intrigued, studying her to see how she’ll react.
She’s said time and time again that we’re free to make our own decisions, and here, where there are no fae to compel us, I wonder if she’ll come up with a new excuse. I thought Dorian’s idea of all of us getting involved with her was the quickest way to set fire to an already strained situation, but I can’t deny my growing intrigue.
No matter the way the other two hit on her, it doesn’t bother me like it should. When she flirts back and their eyes light up, it just makes me relieved to see my friends’ joy after all they’ve been through; they deserve it. We’re already all forced to live together when at her home, and it looks like Atlas will soon be moving in with me as well. At this point, Dorian may as well too so that we don’t need to drive back and forth so much when Cambria goes with each of us.
I’ve never gotten seriously involved with someone because I was well aware I didn’t have enough time to give a woman. I work far too much to give someone the attention they deserve and require, and it would inevitably lead to heartache and disappointment. But that wouldn’t be an issue where Cambria’s involved. Would it be worth the risk? If we attempted it and failed, we are all bound together because of these infernal marks. It could be pouring gasoline on a fire without any ability to abandon the building.
But what if it isn’t?
What if I actually admitted to myself that I’m just scared to try? And when in my life have I ever allowed myself to be afraid of anything?
“Is moving more of a complex issue on your end?” I ask, cutting off my train of thought before I zone out again as our food is delivered.
Cambria pops a fry into her mouth before answering, giving herself some time to consider her answer. “Not any more so than it is here. Money and lease, but Ted will gladly let me out of it early to get rid of me. It’s just the end of an era. That place was the first thing that was officially mine, so it just makes me a little nostalgic is all.”
Her eyes flick back to Atlas’ face, trying to search for a reaction from the corner of her eye. To his credit, I don’t think he’s even noticed it yet. He’s so caught up either eating or talking, I’m pretty sure he’s oblivious. My lip twitches as I fight a smile, watching her irritation grow while we eat as she fights the desire to say something.
“Then when we return, we’ll start shopping around for a new place,” I decide, and everyone nods or murmurs in agreement.
“And I can rent out the apartment above my shop for some extra income too and just move in at the same time as Atlas. No point in me being the odd man out at the party,” Dorian adds. “I’ll just change the lock to the back stairwell so they can’t get into the shop.”
I nod my agreement, already assuming it was going to play out this way. It’s been an odd adjustment not having Dorian live with me these last several years anyway and I’ve hated the distance that’s come with it. I latched onto him to get through my grief of losing my younger brother, but I’ve never thought of him as a replacement, not that he sees that. Dorian is Dorian, a far cry different from Maddox. Just as you love each sibling in their own way, yet not more than another. Just different.
Him striking out on his own made me immensely proud and happy for him, but at the same time it was a final nail in my coffin, leaving me alone. As much as it pains me to admit it, I think that’s part of the reason I struggle so much with Cambria. Everyone I care about eventually leaves and I’m stuck alone with nothing but my work to keep me company. I’m better off not getting close to anyone if they are just going to leave, but thanks to these marks?
It’s a failsafe to never be alone again, and I’m not sure if I hate them, or hate that I want what they’re offering.
“Well, we better get back to work before the boss has our hides,” Atlas declares, wiping his hands off on his napkin, balling it up, and tossing it on his plate without ever once acknowledging it.
“Why do you call Luce ‘boss’ if you don’t work at the office?” Cambria looks torn between being pleased, and wanting to point it out to make sure he saw it so she can gauge his reaction.
Dorian snorts, climbing out of the booth with me while Cambria starts pulling out cash to pay. She leaves mostly singles, and the waitress’ eyebrow raises as she makes her own assumptions about our party.
“That’s a story for a different day,” Atlas dismisses, climbing to his feet.
Cambria winks at me when she sees me shooting looks between the waitress and her. I finally see that she was well aware the entire time and is just playing into it rather than get upset. She counts out a generous tip in singles and hands it to the woman personally, looking at her with open gratitude.
“Thank you so very much, the meal was delicious. And you went above and beyond to make our experience a pleasant one. Have a fantastic day.” Cambria grips her hand in both of hers and offers a wide smile before taking both Atlas’ and Dorian’s hands, following me out.
When we get to the car, Atlas gives her a strange look. “What was all that about?”
Cambria bites the inside of her cheek before speaking. “Because I acknowledge stuff like that is going to happen and eventually turn into something else, so I need to get used to being friendly.”
Atlas just stares at her lost and I finally can’t take it anymore. “The waitress slipped you her number and Cambria figures she’s going to wake up to the awkward morning after with a girl in the house if we’re all living together. She’s just obviously not used to faking being nice.”
“Hey!” she argues before grimacing. “Yeah, actually that’s pretty spot on. I’m not good at faking it when it comes to other people.”
