Entering the restaurant, I pause to allow my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim interior. We’re meeting at a new wine bar in the heart of Chicago, and despite it being a little early in the afternoon for happy hour, there are couples and a few small groups seated at the bar and high-top tables filling the space.
I spot Cameron immediately. He sees me too, rising to his feet with a warm smile to greet me.
“You found it,” he says, putting his arm around me for a hug.
Despite not living here for the last several years, my brain seems to recall the city. “Your directions were perfect. Good to see you.” I return his hug.
The woman with him rises to her feet too. She’s petite and pretty, with wide eyes and a pouty mouth. It’s clear why he likes her. But when I notice her hair is in a casual ponytail and she’s dressed simply—wearing jeans, flats, and a plain cotton sweater—I decide I like her too. At first glance, she’s nothing like the overdone designer-wearing, fully manicured ex I despise. That’s an automatic ten points right there.
“Macey, I’d like you to meet Brielle.”
“Hello,” she says, softly, looking between Cameron and me as if she’s nervous.
I suppose this is akin to meeting his family, because with our parents gone, it’s only me. Well, and Nana.
“It’s great to finally meet you,” I say, leaning toward her with open arms for a hug.
She squeezes me and then we each take a step back, and when we do, we’re both smiling.
Cameron watches us, his contemplative mood hard to read. He’s quiet, and whenever his gaze flicks over to me, he frowns.
The waitress strolls up, delivering the drink menu.
“Shall I pick us a bottle?” Cameron asks us, glancing at the selection.
“Sure,” Brielle and I both say at the same time.
Trying to keep the mood light and friendly, I ask Brielle about her work and where she grew up, and she chats steadily as we sip our wine. My first hunch was correct—I like her. She’s sweet and smart, obviously a nice, normal girl, which is all I’ve ever wanted for my brother.
Cameron is so quiet, I ask him what’s wrong, but he merely shakes his head, frowning at me again. What the hell crawled up his ass? It’s the first time I’ve seen him since Reece spoke with him about our arrangement. I guess he’s not as okay with it as I thought.
When he excuses himself for the men’s room, I use the opportunity to switch to some girl talk, and maybe even pump Brielle for information.
“Well, everything I heard from Reece and Cam about you has been spot-on. I can tell you’re going to be really good for my brother.”
She smiles at me. “Thank you. He’s an amazing man, and I’m lucky to have him in my life.” We smile at each other for a sappy moment, before she asks, “You know Reece?”
“Yes. He and I have an interesting past. I had no idea about this current . . . preferences, though.”
“He’s a fascinating guy, that’s for sure,” she says, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“So I take it you know about the club.” God, I hate to think about her and my brother there. Ew. Gag me.
Brielle’s eyes widen and she chokes on her sip of wine. “Uh . . .”
Knitting my brows in confusion, I really hope I’m not stuffing my foot in my mouth. “I’m sorry . . . I thought . . .”
“Yes, I do,” she answers definitively.
“What can you tell me about Reece’s involvement in BDSM?” I hate that I suddenly feel like a lawyer, interrogating her for information. In my mind, this was going to be a smoother conversation. Instead I’m blurting things out without even thinking.
“I can’t speak much to that. I can only speak to what I’ve seen of him, and from what Hale has told me. Reece is a good man, but he doesn’t trust women. Hale says he should’ve taken a sub years ago, but he’s stubborn and refuses to settle down.”
Interesting.
“Why? Are you . . .” Brielle squints at me, apparently trying to read my intentions.
I shrug. “I’m just coming off of a bad breakup and looking to have some fun, that’s all.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “And Crave seems like the perfect place to do it.”
“A rebound fling,” she says. Frowning, she swirls the wine in her glass. “Just be careful with him. Reece is one of the good guys. I wouldn’t want to see him get hurt.”
Her concern feels genuine, but it’s misplaced. I’m pretty sure the big, bad Dom can handle himself. But before I can answer, Brielle’s eyes widen, and I sense Cameron’s presence looming behind me. I turn and see him fuming, his jaw ticking
“For fuck’s sake. First Reece comes to me, and now this.” Cameron pulls out his chair, but he doesn’t sit. He remains standing over me. “Listen up, Macey. You’re my goddamn sister. I don’t want to hear about your exploits. I don’t want to think about you getting in over your head with this. Lucky for you, I trust Reece implicitly. But I still don’t want it thrown in my face.”
Letting out a deep sigh, I fight against the anger rising inside me. He has no place telling me who or what I can do. “I didn’t like learning about your involvement in the club either.” I nod to Brielle. “I don’t like thinking about you tying up your fiancée here in knots and doing God knows what, so let’s just agree to one thing right now. You stay out of my sex life and I’ll steer clear of yours. Deal?”
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he frowns and glares at me, obviously fighting to maintain his composure. “Done.”
I’m pretty sure he wants to punch something, but at least he’s going to back off. For now, anyway.
I toss back the last swig of my wine. “I think I better be going. It was very nice meeting you, Brielle. I’m sorry things got a little awkward at the end.” I try to chuckle, but it feels weird on my lips, and Brielle looks at me with sympathy. Hell.
“No, it’s not awkward at all. I’m so happy we met.” She pulls her cell phone from her purse, insisting that we swap numbers. “If you need anything as you get settled back into the city, anything at all, please call me. Even if it’s just to go get a pedicure, or someone to drink a margarita with.”
I fight back a strange wave of emotion at Brielle’s offer. I really don’t have any friends left in the city. I’m sure I could look up some old high school friends, but that holds no appeal. High school was a weird time for me. Between losing my parents, being taken in by Nana, and secretly dating Reece, my plate was full, and I just sort of drifted through those couple of years until I could escape.
“Thank you. I will,” I promise. “I love a good margarita.”
“I know just the place then. Text me whenever.” She stands up and hugs me.
I seriously love this girl.
“Good job with this one,” I tell Cameron, some of my annoyance toward him fading.
“Thanks, sis. I love you, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” I pull on my coat and grab my wallet. “Can I chip in for the wine?”
He shakes his head. “I’ve got it.”
I’m guessing they’re going to stay and finish the rest of the bottle, and he’s being kind—he knows I don’t have a job yet. My savings was padded pretty nicely, but still, that won’t last me forever.
“See you around!” I call out over my shoulder, stealing one last look at the cute couple.
I used to be that couple, in love with wide-eyed happiness. Now I’m a jaded, unemployed hot mess. I head back to Crave, which seems to be quickly becoming my own little escape from reality.
Chapter Seven