Page 37 of Worth the Wait
“I’m sorry, could we take a brief break?” I ask, setting my napkin on the table. “I need to handle something quickly.”
Both men follow my gaze across the promenade. Harrison glances over as well, his expression sharpening slightly when he spots the group.
“Isn’t that Pierce’s replacement over there? Elliot Walker?” His tone carries a hint of something that might be disdain. “Interesting how quickly boards can pivot when leadership changes, don’t you think?”
I barely register his comment, too focused on Lianne to care about Harrison’s business observations.
“Something like that,” I reply dismissively, already standing and not caring that walking across the promenade to say hello to my event planner would be unprofessional at best, complicated at worst.
But I can’t stop looking at her. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss in her office, about the way she admitted she’d missed me, too, about the promise in her voice when she said she was done pretending this wasn’t real.
I walk through our restaurant and out onto the promenade that’s busy with evening diners, the kind of upscale outdoor dining district that makes Los Angeles feel almost European. String lights create a warm glow overhead, and the sound of conversation and clinking glasses fills the air.
“Excuse me,” I say as I reach their table. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Lianne looks up, and the impact of her dark eyes meeting mine knocks the air from my lungs. “Cameron, what are you doing here?”
“Business dinner across the way,” I say, gesturing toward McNeal and Morgan. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
“We were just finishing up,” Maya says, extending her hand. “You must be Cameron Judd. I’m Maya Navarro.”
“Miss Navarro, pleasure to meet you. Declan speaks very highly of you.”
“Please, call me Maya,” she says, then gestures to the man sitting beside her. “This is Elliot Walker, CEO of Pierce Enterprises.”
I extend my hand to shake Elliot’s. “Cameron Judd. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Elliot replies with a firm handshake. “I’ve heard good things about Sterling Industries’ expansion into renewable energy.”
“We’re making progress,” I say, then notice Declan approaching from the restaurant’s interior, sliding his phone into his pocket.
“Sorry about that, everyone—client call that couldn’t wait,” Declan says as he rejoins the table.
“No problem, mahal,” Maya says as Declan settles back into his chair.
“Cameron, good to see you,” Declan says, noticing me. “How are things?”
“Very well. We should have some major partnerships locked in within the next few weeks.”
“Would you like to join us?” Lianne asks, and for a moment I consider accepting, sitting down with her and Maya and the others and forgetting about McNeal and Morgan entirely.
“I wish I could, but I should get back,” I say, though every instinct tells me to stay.
“Of course,” Lianne says.
“How’s the anniversary planning coming along?” Declan asks. “Everything going according to plan?”
“Everything’s on schedule,” I reply. “Lianne has been exceptional to work with. Very thorough, very professional.”
“She’s the best in the business,” Maya says. “Her events are always incredible.”
“I’m sure this one will be no exception,” I say, glancing at Lianne. “Anyway, I should get back to my dinner companions. Nice meeting you, Elliot. Enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone.”
I return to our restaurant where Morgan and McNeal are talking about their plans for the rest of the week.
“Sorry about that,” I say as I rejoin them. “Client coordination issue.”
“Event planning seems to require a bit of… personal attention these days,” Harrison says but I ignore him as Morgan clears his throat.
