Evers & Afters (Dare With Me #2) - J.H. Croix Page 0,45

There’s something to be said for just being where you want to be.”

I knew that deeply. Because I was where I wanted to be in Alaska. Cammi was starting to make me wonder if maybe this didn’t need just to be a place to find peace. Maybe I could have a little bit more than that. That was unsettling. Because letting anyone matter too much was hard for me and something I’d fought against.

The fundraiser moved along, and I was relieved to have Cammi with me. She was fun and easy and knew everyone I did and then some. About halfway through the night, we were sitting at a table with Flynn, Daphne, Diego, Nora, and Tucker. My arm was resting across her shoulders because I didn’t care that all my friends knew I wanted her.

Cammi nearly jumped in her seat, her shoulder stiffening under my arm. When I glanced down, she had a look of horror on her face. No one else had noticed yet because they were busy talking, so I leaned over, speaking low in her ear. “Everything okay?”

“Uh, well, that guy? The one I didn’t know was married?” At my nod, she continued, “He’s here with another woman. I don’t care about it for me, but oh my God. He’s probably doing the same thing all over again.”

I followed her line of sight, my eyes landing on the man I’d seen her encounter at the lodge restaurant. Sure enough, the woman he was with was definitely not the woman I’d seen him with that night. They also appeared very together. He had his arm around her, and she was laughing at something he said.

“So, he’s a total asshole, but then you knew that.”

Cammi let out a huff of breath. “God. I’m such an idiot.”

I caught her chin in my hand, turning her to look at me. “Don’t blame yourself. He lied, plain and simple. And, don’t change who you are either. Trust me, it’s no good going through life doubting people. Would you blame her if you knew he’d lied to her about who he was too?”

Two bright red spots appeared on her cheeks and her eyes looked anguished as she shook her head. “No, but—”

I shook my head quickly. “No buts. He lied, and you believed him. That’s it.”

Cammi’s swallow was audible as she nodded slowly. The color in her cheeks faded, and she gave me a small smile. “Thank you. I’m totally over him, but it just makes me sick.”

“Should I go punch him for you?” I was dead serious. I wouldn’t ruin Daphne’s fundraiser, but I’d take him outside.

Her eyes widened. “No! You’re not serious, are you?”

“Completely. You didn’t deserve his lies, and neither does the woman he’s with. Even though I don’t know her, I’m not a fan of liars.”

My own history in this regard was twisted with bitterness. Hell, cheating and the betrayal of my friend clung to me. I missed him too. That was the fucked up thing about betrayal. These were the reasons why I’d never intended to get serious again. There was one catch. I hadn’t thought I was capable of feeling enough for someone again.

Cammi was blowing my perceptions about my ability to control my emotions to smithereens.

“No, don’t do that,” she said, slowly shaking her head. “I’m horrified, but it’s strangely a relief to see he’s still up to his old tricks. It wasn’t just me.”

“Maybe you should let his wife know.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, distracting me instantly. This time, I didn’t hold back, leaning down and catching her lips in a kiss. I dove into her sweet mouth. She didn’t hesitate when I swept in, just for a second, and her sassy tongue glided against mine.

When I drew back, she let out a wondering laugh. “You do make me forget everything, including where we are.”

I heard Diego’s chuckle from across the table and cast him a quick look, giving an unrepentant shrug.

“Told you it was a real date,” Nora called from where she sat between Diego and Tucker.

“We all knew that,” Daphne said. “Now leave them alone.”

Daphne might be petite, but she was fierce, and we all generally did whatever she said.

What happened with Cammi should have given me pause. And yet, it was so obvious she’d unknowingly walked into an affair. I hated that my friend’s death and betrayal were tangled up, but I knew her actions weren’t like his. He’d known exactly what he was doing when he screwed around with