Page 13 of The Beachside Cafe 2
“Unless he couldn’t.”
“Or just didn’t need to,” Jaymee added. “I think there’s always a good chance the drug was used on someone or something by Doug and his cohorts and they simply carried the man out of the house. They dropped the vial before they cleaned up and left.”
Cameron looked surprised. “Do you really think Doug is capable of something like that?”
“Unfortunately, I do.” Jaymee responded with a sigh. “I never thought I would say it but the more I’m hearing…” She shook her head. “I just don’t trust Doug anymore and I doubt I ever will again.”
“Well, I can certainly understand why. And I’m with you, Jaymee. You don’t have to feel like you’re having to deal with this by yourself. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here for you. In fact, are you free for dinner?”
Jaymee wanted to say she was always free for dinner where he was concerned. Instead, she smiled at him and said, “Yes. I am.”
EIGHT
Jaymee was excited for their dinner together. She was ready and raring to go by the time he pulled up outside. This time, he wasn’t driving a Jeep. He was driving a BMW. Jaymee was glad she’d dressed nice. He was looking sharp in a light jacket and tie with matching trousers and shiny shoes on his feet.
“I thought I’d take you somewhere nice,” he said as she got in the car. She smiled at him. “I know your husband took you to fancy restaurants. I’d like to make you feel at home.”
“That’s nice of you. You don’t have to do that. I’ll pay for my food.”
Cameron’s eyes snapped to her face and when he realized she was joking, he laughed heartily. “You are a funny woman, Jaymee Lent.”
“Ugh,” Jaymee groaned, rolling her eyes. “Please don’t call me by that name. In the divorce, I’m going to change it back to Mason. But I might go downtown and pay the forty dollars to have it changed back now. I just don’t want to be called by that name anymore.”
“I understand. I’ll call you Ms. Mason, if you like.”
Jaymee laughed. “Jaymee is just fine. But if you want to be sarcastic and silly and say the whole thing, it’s Jaymee Mason from now on. Okay?”
“You got it, little lady.”
The car drove smoothly and silently down the street. Cameron reached over and turned on the radio. “You like any particular kind of music?”
“I’m partial to jazz, if you don’t mind that kind.”
Cameron’s grin spread wide. “I love jazz. That’s perfect. In fact, I’ve got one of the stations autotuned to my radio on the second…” He clicked a few buttons and suddenly the smooth sound of jazz music was coming through the speakers.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Jaymee said, enjoying the tune that was playing. He turned it down to a respectable level so they could still hear each other when they talked.
Jaymee was amazed by how well they got along. She had never felt so comfortable with a man before. Not even Doug. Then again, she’d been married to him for a long time. Being comfortable with him was a thing of the past. Now they were just two people existing in each other’s worlds and sharing a house together.
She wanted to share that with Cameron but she didn’t. He already knew her relationship with Doug had grown stale before his disappearance. She thought Doug probably figured she wasn’t even looking for him. If he was still alive.
They got to the restaurant ten minutes later and Cameron got out, handing the keys to the valet. Another valet was opening Jaymee’s door and helping her out. She thanked him and waited for Cameron to come around to where she was. They walked into the restaurant together. Cameron told the maître d who he was and that he’d reserved a table for two.
Jaymee was impressed with the restaurant, the staff, and Cameron as soon as she walked into the place. It was true, Doug had taken her to high-class restaurants like this one before. But she’d never seen anyone get the treatment Cameron was getting. It was like he was a celebrity. Staff was calling him by name – “What can I get for you, Mr. Smith”, “How are you today, Mr. Smith”, “You are looking well, Mr. Smith” – Jaymee couldn’t believe her eyes.
They were seated at a nice table in a good section where the sun was shining on them but not in their eyes. They were directly under a fan that sent down a cool breeze. The tables were covered with white linen cloths, a centerpiece candleholder with a white candle, bronze berries decorating the outside.
“What can we get you to drink, sir?”
Cameron looked at Jaymee across the table after he sat down. “You want some alcohol tonight? Or are we abstaining?”
“I’m not in the mood for more than maybe one glass of white wine, perhaps a chardonnay? You choose.”
Cameron shook his head. “I don’t drink much. I’ll let Gerald here choose. How’s that sound, Gerald?”
“I’ll bring you the best we have, Mr. Smith.”
“And two glasses of ice water, please.”
