Page 101 of Everything Has Changed
“It was a mistake,” she pouts.
“I don’t think you can classify sleeping with my roommate multiple times as a mistake. Seems like you knew what you were doing.”
She rolls her eyes. “I was sad and lonely, you barely paid me any attention when I came to visit.”
I pinch my eyebrows with my forefinger and thumb. “So that’s an acceptable reason to cheat on someone? Got it. We have already beat this into the ground enough. Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Doubtful.
“Let’s start fresh. Now that you are back, we can rekindle our love. And we can start by you escorting me to the gala on Sunday. It would be the perfect opportunity to show a united front as you begin your arguably useless campaign for mayor.”
I shake my head. “That’s out of the question.”
Camila huffs. “You and I both know we are end game. We were written in the stars. It’s in everyone’s best interest that you just finally admit it.”
“No, we were forced together by our fathers. Camila, you deserve someone who will love you the way you need. That person is not me no matter how hard you or our parents try.”
“You don’t get it, do you? Who said anything about love?”
You could hear a pin drop after that. I’m not sure what to say when she continues, not at all phased by her admission.
She sucks on her teeth. “Is this about Gwendolyn?”
I rear back. Instantly hating the way her name sounds coming from Camila’s mouth, full of disdain.
“This has nothing to do with Gwen.” I hate having to lie, because honestly it has a lot to do with Gwen. But that’s not for Camila to run to my father with so they can use it against me. Though the flash in Cami’s eyes right now tells me it’s too late.
“Don’t lie to me, Logan. I know you have beenwithher. I even know that you had a little date night over the weekend.” My mouth drops open, and she laughs. “The two of you weren’t very sneaky. You think no one from this little hick town was at The Orange Peel? Please, I knew the second you walked in with your arm wrapped around her. Your father told me to just let it go, let you get it out of your system. But this isn’t fair to me. You might not see it fully yet, but it’s in all of our best interests to make sure our families are aligned.”
I narrow my gaze at her. “And that requires us coupling up for what reason?”
“Optics, Logan. You know it’s all about what people see, and they want to see a happily joined partnership.”
The waitress walks up to our table, interrupting whatever else she’s about to say as she beams up with a wide smile. I don’t hear what she’s saying as I calculate how to direct this conversation, just watching as she points to things on the menu. When the waitress turns to me, Camila stops her with a wave of her hand and a well-placed glare that screams ‘walk away’, which the young girl promptly listens to and turns away.
As much as I dislike having this conversation, it’s a necessary evil. So I take a deep breath and will my body not to jump from this seat and leave her.
“Remind me why this partnership is so important, Camila. Do you even understand what is going on?”
Camila rolls her eyes, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I’m not an idiot, Logan. No matter how much you think I am. While you wereoff doing who knows what in the city, I was here sitting in on every board meeting and every work dinner I was allowed to be in. You might not care about bettering our future, but I do.” She quickly flicks her eyes around us to double-check no one is in hearing distance before leaning forward to continue talking. “I know you don’t like your dad’s plan to turn this into a resort town. You’ve been very clear about that. He began floating this idea around when we were kids. Maybe you could have made a difference a few years ago, but it’s too late now. The new era of this podunk town is upon us.”
Placing my elbows on the edge of the table, I mirror her lean. “So tell me. If this is such a wonderful change, what’s with all the secrecy? Why is Willow Grove still in the dark about the changes that will affect their lives forever?”
“Cut the white knight shit, Logan. We all know none of these people would ever accept the plan no matter how much it’ll help them. They are stuck in the past. The kitschy small-town persona can only take you so far these days. Tourists want fresh, they want new, and this town needs tourists. They will never see how this will better them if we give them a choice.”
“No,” I snap. “It’ll better you, our parents, and a bunch of old millionaires that don’t give two shits about this town.”
“It will better all of us.” Her tone is strong, allowing no room for arguments. I might not care for the girl anymore in the way she wants or agree with her, but I do have to say there is a backbone showing. Something that wasn’t there when we were together. “You don’t see it right now, but think of how much good it will do to get more eyes on this town. More tourists means more money flowing through here. Those small businesses on Main will boom. Pull your head out of your ass and think about it for two minutes. Think about more than your need to go against your father’s wants. I might not completely agreewith his why or how, but the plan overall will be good for Willow Grove.”
“What about those who will be affected by the new contract Triton drew up? You know, the one your father agreed to for some unknown reason?”
Her nostrils flare with annoyance. “That was unnecessary, but not a deal breaker. Besides, it sounds like you might have stopped that one. Running to your little girlfriend’s rescue might have paid off.” The waitress stops by the table carrying two wine glasses and a bottle of wine.
Camila doesn’t acknowledge her, keeping her calculating eyes on me as I let her words sink in. I wait until she steps away again, still with no acknowledgment from Cami, so I thank her for her assistance—though I don’t want the wine she has poured.
My teeth clench tightly. “What are you talking about?”
Her lips tip into a sinister smile. “Not denying she’s your little girlfriend, are you?”
I continue to stare at her until she gives in and speaks again. “Fine, I overheard your father on a conference call earlier this week. Sounds like Triton is willing to reconsider, but…” She trails off to take a sip of her wine.
