“Of course not.”
“Her name is Camilla Rose. Do you recall ever meeting her or hearing Tony mention her name?”
His eyes flit to the door as he thinks.
“No, I can’t recall the name. So, did you approach her, or did she contact you?”
I give him a pointed look.
“I’m a private person, Christopher. Maybe you were used to asking Tony questions about his business, but I don’t operate that way. I’ll only be sharing details about my life if they’re relevant to the matters you’re handling.”
Nodding, he glances to his iPad.
“I understand.”
“Good. You couldn’t have come on board at a better time, so get ready to take notes. We have a lot to accomplish before they arrive.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Camilla
“Cammy, get up. Christopher’s here and needs to talk to you,” Sasha says from the other side of my bedroom door.
I sit up, and it startles Liam, so he wakes from his nap, too. Of course, this is the only time I can ever get any sleep. Why didn’t Chris just text me?
Climbing out of bed, I mess with my hair, straightening it the best I can. I’m only in sweats and an oversized t-shirt. “Camilla,” Sasha says after cracking open my door.
“I heard you. Give me a minute.”
“Momma,” Liam says in his whiny voice as he holds his arms up for me to take him. I scoop him up, and before I head out to the living room, I dig for a mint in my purse and pop it in my mouth.
“Chris is here to see us,” I say in an excited tone. Grinning, my kiddo rubs sleep from his eye with his fist. We stroll into the family room, and I spot Christopher in the recliner. While tapping his foot, he stares out my window.
“Hi, is everything all right? I wasn’t expecting you.”
He turns to me, and in an instant I suspect something’s wrong. He’s pale, and a look of anguish is owning his face.
“Chris,” Liam says, reaching for our friend.
“Hey, buddy,” he replies with only a faint smile. Straightening my hair some more, I study him. Even though he appears to have not slept, he’s still dressed nice in slacks and an expensive button-up shirt.
“I’ll be in your room if you need me,” Sasha says. I nod before I direct my attention back to Chris.
“Come on, say something already.”
Getting up, he strides over and wraps his arms around me, squishing Liam between us. He’s hugged me in the past, but this is a different embrace. There’s a desperation to it. Liam fusses, so Chris releases us.
Taking a seat on the couch, I slide my fingers through my little one’s silky hair to calm him. He’s clingy now, like he senses our friend isn’t himself.
“I have to confess something to you, and I don’t know what will happen after, so I want to tell you first how much you and Liam mean to me.
“You’ve become my world the last few years. I was by your side after he was born, and I’ve watched him grow. I feel like I’ve been a good friend to you.”
My head shakes in confusion. “You have been. I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
Pacing in front of me, he drags his hands down his face.
“I want more with you, Camilla. Have you ever thought about us being a couple? I could be a dad to Liam and take care of you. We could have a great life together.” Dropping to his knees in front of me, he cups my face. “I want to be with you.”
Am I still asleep and having a bad dream?
Pulling away, I stand and shove around him to walk to the kitchen. Without a word, I remove a sippy cup from the cabinet and fill it with milk before I take Liam to my bedroom where Sasha has already made herself at home.
“Sis, I need you to entertain Liam while I talk to Christopher. He probably needs to go to the bathroom, too.” Without giving her a choice, I sit him on the bed next to her.
Ugh, I feel a pain in my lower back as I rise. He’s getting too big for me to tote around. Returning to the living room, I blow out a breath.
“Have you lost your mind?” I ask. Christopher sits again in the recliner and rubs his forehead. “I don’t know what happened to cause this desperation, but we’re getting to the bottom of it. I have enough shit going on in my life, so this can’t be another dark cloud hanging over my head.”
“Just answer me, Cammy. Have you ever thought about me in that way?”
“No. We’re only friends.”
“Friends often turn into lovers.”
“God, don’t say that word. See, it’s just–no.” Shaking my head, I sit back down. “You’re amazing, Chris, and attractive, but I don’t have romantic feelings for you, and why in the world are you telling me this now?”