Page 6 of Fault Lines
“She was friendly,” I said, voice flat.
Cam didn’t even look up from his menu. “Jealous is a new look on you, Livi. I don’t think I like it much.”
I shrugged, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “Who’s jealous?”
He went back to reading, not bothering to answer. I was relieved when the waiter turned out to be a guy; at least I wouldn’t have to watch another woman fall all over Cam while he basked in it.
“What can I get you to drink tonight? Wine? Water?” the waiter asked.
“Water for me, please. I think I’ll skip the wine.”
“Water for me too,” Cam said, “and a scotch on the rocks.”
“Yes sir. Are you ready to order or do you need a minute?”
Cam peered at me over his menu.
“I’m ready.” I offered the waiter a tiny smile. “Shrimp scampi, please.”
“Lobster bisque.” Cam handed back his menu, efficient and brusque.
The waiter barely had time to step away before Cam’s phone lit up and pinged. He checked it, thumbed a reply with practiced speed, shoved the phone aside. The screen went dark.
I burned to ask, but I didn’t want to seem clingy or suspicious. Still, I couldn’t stop myself.
“So, work on a Saturday?” I forced my tone light. “Everything okay?”
He scowled. “Just trying to get everything in order with the merger. Moving into the bigger space has been a nightmare.”
“Oh? I haven’t seen your new office yet. Can I come up on Monday?”
Cam hesitated, blinking once, just long enough for me to notice. “Uh, yeah, maybe. It’s not completely set up yet.”
The words were out before I even thought about them: “Is Lacey’s office close to yours?”
His whole face darkened. “She has a desk right outside my office. Just like she did at the old building. And just like Janet had.” Every syllable was sharp and irritated.
The waiter came with the drinks and I gratefully took a long sip of ice water, letting it cool my face. I tried, I really did, but silence crashed between us again.
“So I bought tickets to that new action movie you said looked interesting,” I tried again, latching onto something positive.
He grunted. “Good.”
I slumped in my seat. Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered. He didn’t reach for my hand, didn’t even look at me. I swallowed, tried one more time.
“Is everything okay, Cam?” It came out before I could stop myself. “I mean… are we okay? You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Things have been… different.”
His phone buzzed again. He checked it, typed out something longer, then dropped it face down on the table and finally looked at me, eyes heavy. He sighed like it physically hurt.
“Yes, Livi, everything is fine. I know I’ve been a little distant, I’m just going through some stuff.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He shook his head. “I’ll work it out and things will go back to normal eventually.”
I wanted to press, but his face was a wall. I knew better than to keep at it.
I reached for his hand across the table, but the moment didn’t last. “I love you, Cam. I really do.”
