He narrows his eyes. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” I stand on my tiptoes and he still has to bend down to kiss me. “I’ll see you later.”
Seduction isn’t far from the studio. I march straight into the bathroom to wash my face before walking into the kitchen. Once I get there, all I can do is look around the room at everything I have to do.
Nothing is prepped for today yet. It’s Monday, so we won’t be sold out today, but I do still need to get things ready. Not to mention, someone left some dirty dishes in the dish sink, and that’s never okay. My dishwasher doesn’t come in until noon. There’s no need for him to arrive earlier than that.
Which means I get to do some dishes.
But suddenly, as I’m standing here looking around, I realize that I’m just so fucking tired. We filmed for four hours this morning. We were in the studio by six, and filming by seven. I’ve cooked and flirted and had to turn it all on for the cameras.
And now I get to pull a full twelve-hour shift here.
I can’t do it.
I turn on my heel and march into our offices, happy to see Cami sitting at her desk.
“Good morning,” she says with a smile. “How was filming this morning?”
“It was actually really good.” I plop down in the chair across from her and rub my hands over my face. “Camden is great in front of the camera.”
“So are you.” She grins and sets her spreadsheet aside. Just looking at a spreadsheet gives me hives. “What’s up?”
“We need to hire someone,” I reply and watch as her eyes widen in surprise. “What? I didn’t just say that I want to move to Tibet.”
“That’s just the last thing I ever expected you to say. But I’m glad you did. Let’s talk about it.”
“Here’s the thing. I need someone really talented. Someone who knows their shit, and that I can trust to take over the kitchen when I can’t be there. It’s just too much lately, with the show and the restaurant being as busy as we are.”
“Not to mention you’re trying to have a personal life,” she adds with a grin. “I get it.”
“Finding someone with the right skills and experience isn’t going to be cheap.”
“We can afford someone good,” she reminds me. “We can pretty much afford whomever you want at this point.”
“And isn’t that amazing?” I ask. “I mean, when we started this, we just hoped that we might eventually get to a place where we could pay ourselves.”
“I know. We’re there and then some. So you find who you want, and we’ll work out the rest.”
“Thanks.”
“No, thank you for finally seeing that you need the help. I’ve been really worried about you. The other girls will be so happy when we tell them. In fact,” she checks her phone, “we should get going. We’re going to be late.”
“For what?”
“It’s hair day at Cici’s.”
“I can’t go to Cici’s. Nothing is ready for today.”
“Are you working alone?”
“No.”
“Then you can go. That other chick—I can never remember their names anymore, they come and go so fast—can handle things until dinner. Your roots need some serious attention.”
“They do?” I frown and touch my head. “Why didn’t anyone say something?”
“Because we have an appoint today,” she says with a grin.
“I’m going to be grilled.”
“Oh, for sure.”
I sigh and stand. “Let me make sure whatshername is really coming in today, and see if I’m needed for anything and then we can go.”
“Hurry.”
I roll my eyes and rush into the kitchen. Linda? Lisa? Liz? Shit, I can’t remember her name either, but she’s working.
“I have an appointment. Are you okay with this until dinner?”
She shrugs and looks around, nodding. “It should be fine. It’s just Monday. I can do this.”
“Are you sure?”
She rolls her eyes. “Mia. I can do this.”
I nod. “Okay. Thank you.”
I should stay. But I want to talk to my friends. I want to tell them about Camden, and get their opinions, and listen to their funny banter. So I take a deep breath, thank her again, and walk back out to find Cami waiting by the front door.
“Ready?”
“Let’s go.”
Cici’s new shop is within walking distance from Seduction. We arrive just about ten minutes later to find Addie already getting her hair balayaged, Kat sitting in a pedicure chair with her feet soaking, and Riley getting her eyebrows waxed.
“You’re here,” Addie says with a smile. “I was worried that you were going to back out of girl day.”
“I reminded her,” Cami says and sits in the pedicure chair next to Kat. I take the empty chair next to Addie and patiently wait for my turn in Cici’s chair.
Cici and Addie have been friends for years. Cici used to be Addie’s hair and makeup stylist when Addie was a fashion model. Now she lives in Portland with her family and has a very successful shop, which we take over at least once a month.
“Also,” Cami continues, “I am happy to report that Mia has agreed to hire another executive chef.”
“Really?” Kat asks.
“Yes. I’m tired, you guys.”
“You’ve been tired for two years,” Cici reminds me.
“I know. But I think it’s really caught up with me. And with the show, and our place only getting busier, I need the help. But I want someone amazing. So I’m going to have to do some headhunting.”
“You’ll find them,” Riley says after coming up from having her lip waxed. “And we’ll pay for them.”
“That’s what I said,” Cami replies. “I’m so proud of you for making this decision.”
The others nod in agreement. “I know I’m stubborn, and I should have made this move a year ago, but it’s important to me that everything is perfect. That our guests leave after having a wonderful experience. The recipes aren’t easy, and I just haven’t trusted that the people we’ve hired could do it as well as I would.”
“But it’s okay to have a life outside of work,” Addie says. “And maybe early on you were right to keep your own personal stamp on the menu. But we have a stellar reputation at this point, and I think it’s a good time to bring in another excellent chef.”
I nod, relieved that they also think it’s a good idea.
“Now that that’s resolved, spill it,” Kat says.
“Spill what?”
“Everything,” Riley adds. “Some of us know bits and pieces, but none of us knows everything, and it’s about time you let your best friends in on your history with Camden and what’s happening now.”
“Use all the naughty words,” Cami says with a nod.
I sigh and gather my thoughts. “Cami knows the history. Camden and I went to school together.”
I spend the next ten minutes filling them in on everything that happened when I was twenty. School, living together, the sex, the almost pregnancy and getting married.
Leaving him.
All of it.
“Wow,” Addie says with a sigh. “No wonder you freaked out when Riley said you’d be working with Camden.”
I nod. “I was so embarrassed, you guys. I know I was young, and if I had it to do again I would do it so differently. Camden and I have talked about it. I apologized, and we’ve moved on.”
“That’s amazing,” Cici says as she paints the last piece in Addie’s hair and motions for me to take her place while Addie processes. “I admit, if I were Camden, I’d still be really bitter.”
“Me too,” I admit. “And that’s why I was so apprehensive. You know how it is, if it’s not part of your every day life, you can go on as if it never happened. But then suddenly, he was a part of my life again, and I didn’t know how to handle it.”
“It sounds like it’s going well now,” Addie says.
“Yeah.” I grin and can
feel my cheeks flush. “We’re sleeping together.”
“Thank God you’re getting laid,” Kat says. “If I’d known that getting laid would make you hire some help in the kitchen, I would have set you up long ago.”
“How is the sex?” Riley asks. “I mean no disrespect by this, but Camden is fucking hot.”
“I know.” I wrinkle my nose. “He’s so sexy. The sex is amazing. It was always amazing, and now that he’s all grown-up, but just . . . wow.”
“Good for you,” Cici says and offers her fist to bump mine.
“Are you being careful?” Addie asks.
“Condoms.” I shrug. “I haven’t been on the pill in a long time. He takes care of it. But I had an embarrassing moment the other day.”
“Tell,” Cami insists.
“Well, he wanted to have shower sex.”
“What is it with men and water sex?” Kat asks.
“Exactly,” I reply. “And I just flat out told him that it’s not exactly comfortable for a girl to have sex in the water.”
“Not unless being rubbed raw is your thing,” Cici says.
“It’s not my thing,” I say. “And he was like, really? I’ve never heard of that. So he just spun me around out of the water and fucked me blind.”
“What’s embarrassing about that?” Addie asks.
“Well, just saying something at all was awkward. No woman wants to ruin the mood and say, this isn’t sexy for me.”
“Screw that,” Cici says, shaking her head and checking Addie’s color. “I’m too damn old to have sex that hurts. I don’t want to make love to my husband and spend the next week recovering from it. That’s not fun.”
“I agree,” Riley says with a nod. “I mean, you’re right, Mia. No one wants to ruin the sexy mood, but it’s not worth being sore after.”
“Guys just don’t have the same equipment.” Cami shrugs. “It’s not as . . . delicate.”
“They could fuck a porcupine and come out okay,” Cici says. “Not me.”
“Oh, God, speaking of porcupines,” Addie says with a laugh. “Jake used to like to shave himself clean, but by later in the day, he’s all stubbly down there and it felt like he was impaling me with tiny needles. I was like, go away until that shit grows out some.”
“Yes!” Kat agrees. “I don’t like that either. And what’s up with Mac wanting to have sex just as I’m about to fall asleep? I’m like, you’ve had all damn day to attack me, and you choose the moment I’m about to fall into REM sleep.”
“Oh girl, I have you beat,” Addie says. “Try getting up in the middle of the night with the baby, and crawling back into bed, only to have Jake decide that since we’re both awake he should just go ahead and jump on top of me.”
“Ew,” I say.
“Exactly. It’s like, your baby just threw up all over me and I haven’t had a shower in two days. I am not feeling romantic right now. If I get a shower in the morning, I might be able to pencil you in.”
“Are we just old?” Riley asks the room at large. “I mean, ten years ago, I would have been fine with being woken up with sex. Or having it any time of day, really.”
“I think it’s age and being an adult,” Cici says. “I’m the oldest one here, and I can say that running a business and having kids is exhausting; and unfortunately, for a long time my sex life with my husband suffered. In the last two years or so, we’ve made it a priority to flirt with each other and keep some spark going. Don’t tell me that none of you have a spark anymore.”
They all shake their heads no. “My husband is the sexiest man out there,” Addie says. “And we still have amazing sex.”
“I think we all have sexy, healthy men,” I reply.
“They want to fuck,” Kat says. “It’s as simple as that. It’s biology. They’re built to have a lot of sex. I don’t think women are, at least not quite as much.”
“Just wait until you hit forty and shit starts to fall apart,” Cici says. “It sucks. So enjoy your middle-of-the-night sex now.”
“I don’t mind middle-of-the-night sex,” I reply with a grin. “The only thing that gave me pause was the water, so I guess we’re doing pretty well.”
“Is he sweet?” Cami asks. “He seems really sweet.”
“He is. He’s considerate.”
“Marry him,” Riley says. “Marry him right now. Sweet, considerate, sexy men are unicorns. You’ll never see another one of them out in the wild. I know. I looked.”
We all laugh, but I know she’s right. Men like Camden are few and far between.
“I have an announcement,” Cami says, changing the subject.
“Is it a good one or a bad one?” I ask.
“Oh, it’s good. I’m going to have a baby.”
We’re quiet for a moment, and then the room explodes in cheers and laughter and love for our sweet friend. Cami and Landon have already lost one baby to miscarriage, and she didn’t know if she’d be able to get pregnant again.
“How far along are you?” Addie asks.
“Three months,” she says with a soft smile. “I wanted to wait to announce it until we were out of the first trimester woods. But things are good, and I’m healthy, and I just couldn’t wait anymore.”
“I’m so excited for you,” I say and give her a big hug. “You deserve this so much. I’m sure Landon is over the moon!”
“He’s so excited,” Cami says with a grin. “He’s hoping for a boy, but deep down, we both just want it to be healthy and whole. Everything else is gravy.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Riley says. “We feel the same way.”
“Wait.” We all look at each other, and then back at Riley. “Are you pregnant too?”
“Two months,” Riley says with a nod. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to steal your thunder.”
“Oh my God,” Cami cries out and wraps Riley up in her arms. Both women are crying and laughing at the same time. “This is the best news ever!”
“So, none of us really has any true sex complaints,” Cici says as she wipes a tear from her eye. “I want to throw your baby showers.”
Everyone is talking at once about breastfeeding and how many weeks they have left, and bouncy seats, and I hang back, watching with so much love and excitement for them.
It’s moments like this that I can’t help but think what if. What if I’d really been pregnant all those years ago? How different would my life be now?
But thinking that way isn’t productive. And it doesn’t matter. All of the most important people in my life are happy and healthy, and I’ve fallen in love with a man that I think I’ve been in love with for ten years.
I just don’t know how to tell him.
Chapter Ten
~Camden~
“That’s a wrap for today,” Trevor says. We’ve been filming for a week, and after every day I’m more and more impressed with Mia. She’s a natural in front of the camera, and she’s fun. The viewers are going to eat her up. It won’t be long until she’s a celebrity.
I wonder if she’s thought about how she’ll handle that.
“Are you okay?” she asks after she gathers her bag and keys.
“I’m great.” I kiss her forehead. “How are you?”
“I’m worried about you. You have a weird look on your face.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I was just thinking about work. I have a phone call scheduled with my agent in a little bit.”
“Ah, so that’s your business man look.” She nods. “So noted. I have interviews for the next couple of hours.”
“For?”
“I’m hiring another master chef for Seduction.”
“It’s about time.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve already heard I told you so from the girls. I’m actually more excited than I expected to be. I have some promising candidates that I’m meeting with.”
“Do they live in Portland?”
“Two of them do, and one is in San Diego, but would like to move up to Portland to be clos
er to family, so that’s a FaceTime interview.”
“Well, I hope at least one of them has the experience and qualities you’re looking for.”
“Me too.” She presses her sweet body against me and hugs me tight, then tilts her head up for a kiss. I’ve become completely addicted to her: The way she laughs, smells, kisses; having her naked body pressed to mine every night.
Everything.
I press my lips to hers for a short, sweet kiss. “I’ll catch up with you later tonight.”
“Sounds good.” She grins and walks away, her heels clicking on the concrete floor. “Have a good day!”
She has a new bounce in her step that wasn’t there a week ago. I wonder if it has anything to do with me.
I hurry back to my rental and just as I sit at my computer my agent’s FaceTime comes in.
“Hey, Don.”
“Camden.” He smiles when he sees me. Don’s been an entertainment agent for a long time. He’s nearing retirement age, with white hair and a saggy face. He’s a grandfather, but he’s as entrenched in the entertainment industry as he ever was, and he’s been an excellent agent for me.
Hell, without him I wouldn’t have the hit TV show, or the several millions of dollars that comes with it each season.
“How are things in Portland?” he asks.
“They’re good. We’re filming this week for the pilot.” He nods and looks down at something on his desk.
“Good to hear. When will you be back in L.A.?”
“I’m not sure.”
Don frowns. “What do you mean? You should be wrapped on filming next week.”
“I know, but I’m not contractually required to be back on set for another month, so I’m taking some personal time.”
“I’m sorry, I need to speak with Camden Sawyer please.”
I smirk. “You’re a riot, Don. What’s up?”
“Well, I would rather speak to you about all of this in person, but this will do. I heard back from Best Bites TV, and they’ve decided to pass on any more seasons of your show.”
“We’re under contract for one more season.”
“They’re aware, and have decided to buy out the last season on your contract rather than shoot more episodes.”
“Why are they unhappy?”