Page 29 of Things We Fake
He turned to me. “While I was at MIT, I used to come to New York now and then, to spend time withCraig and Carley. Ray would usually meet my flight or my train.”
“It’s nice of you to remember his name. Most people don’t pay attention to those who attend them, like drivers, security guards, janitors, that kind of thing.”
“Everyone should. Without them, the world as we know it wouldn’t exist. I think every profession is honorable and useful.”
I smiled. “I couldn’t agree more. I like this side of you.”
He mock-posed in profile. “I was told that’s my good side. My nose is slightly crooked from a… disagreement I had back at MIT. Actually, that’s how I met Sebastian.”
My eyes went wide. “You met by getting into a fight? What happened?”
He gave me a smile as charming as it was mischievous. “Well, we never agreed on that. If you ask Sebastian, he’ll say I hit on his girlfriend.”
My eyes moved over his handsome features, along his athletic body and cocky stance.
“That doesn’t sound too far-fetched. What’s your version of the story?”
“She wasn’t his girlfriend, and she was the one who hit on me. I was sitting at the bar, watching the game, minding my own business. Next to me was this girl, whom I later learned was on a date with Sebastian. She kept glancing my way, but since I saw she was with another dude, I ignored her. Sebastian got up to go to the john, and next thing I know, her hand is on my thigh and she’s giving me some corny line. I was doing my best to shake her off when someone tapped me on the shoulder.I barely turned around, and Sebastian sucker-punched me in the nose.”
I burst out laughing, seeing the scene in front of me as though it was a movie.
“Oh, my God! And then what happened?”
“I picked myself off the floor and charged. I heard later that it took five men to break us up.”
“So how come you ended up friends?”
“We’re guys,” he said simply, as though that explained everything. “After we cooled off and the chick was gone, we sat down, had a beer, and realized she wasn’t worth the fight—literally. We sort of bonded, and here we are, over a decade later.”
I shook my head, grinning. “Sometimes the best of friendships start in the most unusual of ways.”
The ride to the restaurant wasn’t a long one. It wasn’t dark out yet, so we chatted about the various things we saw outside. There was always something to see and do on the streets of New York. At one intersection, Ray put down the window so that we could enjoy the saxophonist performing for the crowd. He was very good, and I was almost sorry when the car started moving again, the notes fading as we picked up speed.
After the town car pulled up to the curb in front of Nick’s, Ray got out and opened the door for us. Cam offered me his hand to get out of the car.
“Thank you.” Despite my best efforts, I knew that in my not-so-dainty fashion I’d flashed a lot of thigh in the process.
Cam didn’t seem to mind at all. On the contrary, he took a quick but appreciative look at my legs.
“Ray, I’ll call when we’re ready to leave, probably in a few hours.” Cam handed the man a couple of bills discretely. “Go and grab some dinner.”
“Thank you, sir, Mr. Cam,” the driver responded, making the bills disappear with practiced elegance.
I had to bite my lip to keep from dissolving into giggles.
“It’s better than Mr. Came or Mr. Cameroon,” Cam whispered in my ear.
Taking my arm, he escorted me up the two steps to the restaurant’s glass doors. Inside, he helped me remove my coat and put it over his arm.
“Good evening. Welcome to Nick’s.” The hostess smiled at Cam and ignored me.
She wore a black dress tight enough to mess with her ability to breathe, and heels that had to be twice as high as mine. Her gaze was fixed on Cam with the single-mindedness of a starving panther.
He didn’t appear to notice. Instead, he laced his fingers with mine and approached her. “Reservation for Cam Jones.” He smiled, yanking her out of her temporary trance.
“Of course, Mr. Jones.” She ticked his name off the list. “Your table is ready. If you’ll follow me.”
She picked up two menus and led us to a semi-secluded table in the back. I watched her wiggle her way ahead of us, wishing I could swish my ass like she did. When we got to the table, she pulled out my chair. I sat, and she handed me a menu, before opening my napkin and placing it on my lap. As she turned to Cam, he handed her my coat, sat and reached for his napkinbefore she could offer him lap service. He held out his hand for the menu.
