table game that required a lot of laughing and a pitcher of beer. If I remembered correctly, they had five kids. Somehow, someway, they’d suckered someone into watching their brood. They’d probably have fun watching grass grow, as long as it was outside of the house.
My gaze caught on another familiar face. Cameron was sitting at a table with another guy. Someone from work, maybe? They both had food and beer, and as the other guy took a bite of his sandwich, my stomach growled.
I looked away. After a few moments, my gaze slid back over to him without my permission. I was exasperated with myself but not surprised. Anytime Cameron Foster was in the room, nothing else could hold my attention.
He was working that classic, small-town good-guy vibe pretty hard, from the top of his shampoo-ad hair down to his neatly tied sneakers. The only thing rumpled about him was a slight stubble on his jaw, and I’d wager that was because he hadn’t had time to shave. His wide-eyed expression made me want to laugh. It was clear he was trying not to fall asleep as his companion prattled on.
“So.” I glanced up to see Hudson back, watching me with a tiny smile. “What’s your poison?”
“Coke, no ice.”
“Whoa, camper.” He held up his hands. “Let’s not get too risky.”
Well… it’s not like I was driving. “Add some Jack in it. And since you’ve got the grill nice and hot already, a burger and fries, if you please.”
He cocked his finger at me in the shape of a gun. “Now we’re talkin’.”
As Hudson bustled off to put in my order and make my drink, my gaze automatically went back to the mirror behind the bar. Cameron flashed a smile at his companion, who was still chattering on, and I sat up a little straighter. Seriously?
I knew that fucking smile. That was his date smile. He had a crooked incisor that he didn’t like, so he had a special way of smiling when he didn’t want to show too many teeth. I found it ridiculous because his imperfect smile was just the cutest thing. What was not the cutest thing? The fact that he was on a fucking date.
Hudson slid a drink in front of me, and I blinked at him. “That was quick.”
“Actually, it wasn’t. You were just so occupied ogling your ex that you didn’t notice.” He clucked his tongue in mock dismay. “Still? Really?”
I didn’t deny it. I pretty much eye-fucked Cameron every time I saw him. “No harm in looking, is there?”
“Nope.” He popped the p. “Maybe you’d be interested to know that this is the second time he’s gone out with Carter.”
“I would not,” I said primly. “I would, however, be interested to know what the hell happened to Charlotte. Last time I was here for a visit, they were engaged to be married.”
“That had to be a while ago, then.”
Three years, but who’s counting? I flushed guiltily. “It was.”
“Well, they broke up. She’s with Greg now. The firefighter. One of the Branson boys,” Hudson added, trying to jog my memory. “They’re having a baby, and he’s over the moon. He was in here yesterday buying rounds for everyone.”
Hudson paused to watch me take a sip of my drink. He seemed to be waiting for something. A minute later, I gave it to him as I started coughing so hard, my eyes watered. Shit. Hud still had a heavy hand with the booze. I remembered that from days of raiding his father’s liquor cabinet.
“You all right?” he asked somberly, eyes twinkling. “It would’ve been remiss of me not to give you the old buddy, old pal special.”
Since I was busy hacking up a lung, I settled for flipping him the bird. Once I regained the power of speech, I went on. “I’ve been reminiscing about you too fondly. I think I glossed over all the memories in which you were annoying as fuck.”
He chuckled. Someone at the other end of the bar called for a refill, and Hudson bustled off. He was back with my burger and fries a few moments later, and I tucked in before he could even bring me a napkin. The burger was juicy, and the fries were salty and crispy, so I forgave him almost immediately for being a giant pain in the ass.
I tried to keep my eyes off mirror Cam and his date, and for the most part, I was successful. For the most part. His date was