Evers & Afters (Dare With Me #2) - J.H. Croix Page 0,49

girl. I’m actually more upset with him than her, or I was. With her, I let that go. It is what it is. Cheating is the oldest betrayal in the book.”

Diego had switched the channel to some singing reality show. I was temporarily distracted. “Dude, that singer definitely won’t be winning.”

“Agreed. Yeah, cheating happens to plenty of people. But, it’s not always with a good friend. I just wanna know if you’re going to give Cammi a real shot.”

I silently groaned. Diego was that friend, the one I usually turned to when I needed a good sounding board. The flip side to that was he had opinions, fucking opinions, about emotional shit. He was seriously tight with his family. When he fell, because it was a foregone conclusion he would fall, I sure hoped that girl was ready because this man was fierce.

“I’m gonna try. Is that good enough for you?”

He chuckled. “I think you already have. I just don’t want you to let your baggage get in the way.”

“Anybody ever tell you that you took the wrong career path?”

“What should I be doing?” he countered.

“You should’ve been a therapist. You’re always all up in my business, and not just mine.”

He threw his head back with a laugh. “I think I’d be too blunt for that. It’s only people I love I give a little hell to when it’s necessary.”

“I am forever grateful you’re my friend, man.” I meant it even if he drove me crazy on occasion.

He thumped his fist over his heart. “Same. I know you got my back.”

“Speaking of falling for someone, you know it’s going to be rough when you do. Because your turn will come, it’s only a matter of time.”

Diego’s gaze sobered. “I know. I’ve been in love before, so I know how hard it can bite.”

I wanted to press, but I was honestly tired. “I know damn straight this guy ain’t winning,” I said, shifting away from that heavy topic to the next singer on the show.

“Sure thing. Wanna bet five bucks?”

“Deal. I vote on whoever follows this guy.”

“You’re not even gonna wait to listen?” Diego countered.

“Nope. Speaking of five bucks, Faith told me you owe her,” I said, suddenly remembering my call with her.

Diego chuckled. “Oh, right. She called looking for you, and we bet on the game. I’ll give you extra if you win this bet.”

Turned out I actually won that five dollars, and Diego gave me the five more he owed Faith. Of course, I bought Diego’s coffee the next morning when Cammi refused to charge me for mine, so I didn’t keep it for long.

I paid for mine with a kiss and left her blushing as Diego chuckled, and we headed out for another delivery flight.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cammi

“Well, underwriting approved it,” Shirley-at-the-bank, as I mentally called her in my head, said.

“They did?” I squeaked.

Susie, who sat beside me across from Shirley, lifted her fists in triumph. “Yes! I knew you were in a good position to do this, and I was right.”

Shirley laughed softly as she looked between us. “She was right. Now, go celebrate.”

“That’s it?” I asked as I looked between them.

“For now. The closing is scheduled for next Friday,” Shirley added.

I almost started crying, but I didn’t want to cry in front of Shirley, so I managed to keep it together. I burst into tears when Susie hugged me in the parking lot a few minutes later.

“Let’s go celebrate with lunch there. The sellers are ecstatic. They wanted somebody local. You’re your own competition now, girl.”

I stepped back, and Susie produced a small package of tissues from her purse. I took several out and dabbed at my eyes before blowing my nose. Her brown eyes twinkled with her smile as she waited.

“Now, I’ve got to figure out what I’m gonna do with a whole café. I can’t believe it.”

Susie was on the bossy side as friends went, and she bundled me into her car and had me over at Misty Mountain Café inside of a few minutes. The owners weren’t there, but the staff knew I was buying the café and everyone was excited. We snagged a table in the corner, and I ordered my favorite sandwich there, the pesto turkey with gouda cheese.

“I think I’ll stick with their menu at first until I figure everything out. I’m kind of freaking out,” I said as I looked over at Susie.

She tucked her brown curls behind her ears and nodded. “It’ll be all right. I do their accounting so