date. His eyes darted back and forth between Madison and Lynda. "Uh, Madison, this is my date, Lynda. Lynda, Madison."
"Nice to meet you," Lynda told Madison without emotion, letting her know that it wasn't quite as nice to meet her as she said.
"I'm sure," Madison quipped back. "Well, I have to run, I'm sure Thomas is looking for me. Nice seeing you."
She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.
"Thomas?" Cameron questioned.
"Yes, Thomas Winters. My date for the night." She gave him a winning smile, then shrugged out of his grip and walked away.
Cameron stood there and watched Madison disappear into the crowd, only to appear a few minutes later with Thomas on the dance floor. He shook his head, and realized there was nothing he could do about it as he returned to his own date. They were friends, and he had no claim on her, just as she had no claim on him. That was how it needed to remain.
Chapter Eight
Madison excused herself from Thomas after getting directions to the powder room. With the door in sight, she thought she heard her name and turned to see who called her. A genuine smile graced her face. "Well hello, Bunny. I haven't seen you all night."
"Hello dear. You look absolutely gorgeous! I bet you've been beating the suitors off with a stick all night," Bunny teased.
"Not quite," Madison laughed. "But I've had a lot of fun."
"Just wait until next week. Nothing compares to a Bunny Rome party," she announced.
"I'm really looking forward to it," she told her. "But if you'll excuse me?" She motioned to the bathroom that was just ahead of her.
"Of course, darling," Bunny told her, and patted her arm as she took her leave.
As she was returning, Madison took a right when she should have taken a left, but luckily found an empty balcony. The view was amazing; it overlooked an impressive garden that was well-lit in all the right places, drawing focus to some amazing rose bushes. There was also a pretty little gazebo with flowered vines growing up the sides. A little further down a path bordered by flowers sat an intricately carved bench with an arched trellis over it. Even though it was dark, she could appreciate the beauty of what was in front of her. Some peace and quiet was exactly what she needed, because the champagne and dancing were really starting to get to her.
"I thought I'd find you out here." Madison turned with a smile at the sound of his voice.
"Hi, Cameron. Having fun?" she asked. "I'm surprised Lynda isn't chasing after you."
"You're not the only one." He rolled his eyes. "If I'd known that you were going to attend, I'd have asked you come with me. I'm sure we'd both be having a lot more fun."
"So I take it that you didn't tell your mom anything about us."
Cameron was quiet. "Remember what I told you the other night? Getting a girl pregnant after a one night stand isn't exactly my mother's idea of proper, especially a girl she holds in such high esteem. I don't know. I've just disappointed her so much, I felt this one would've put her over the edge."
Madison empathized with him. "But what would you have done had I not lost the baby?"
"I'd have told her, but I think that maybe we could have dated for a while first. That's what she really wants, you know," he told her, bumping into her with a flirty wiggle.
She smiled. "I'm aware of that. I think she and Sasha have a bet going."
"I wouldn't put it past her." He looked over at her. "Are you sure you're doing alright?"
"The wound's still fresh, but day by day I'm getting better. Everything happens for a reason, right?"
"So they say." Cameron put his arm around her, and together they stood in silence, each with their own thoughts, looking out into the night.
"There you are!" A masculine voice invaded their solace. "I was wondering where you went to."
Madison and Cameron both jumped and turned towards the intruder. "Thomas! We were just catching up. I needed a breather, so I came out here."
"Mother was looking for you. She and Bunny wanted to introduce you to some of their friends," he said, casting a questioning glare at Cameron as he spoke to Madison.
"I'll be right in," she told him, and after hesitating for a moment, he turned and went back in the house.
"Why do I feel like I'm in high