Page 91 of Love Unscripted
“Look who has arrived,” Aaron announced.
Everyone glanced up, smiling in greeting, then returned to their tiles.
Aaron reclaimed his seat and played out his hand. A few minutes later the game ended, and Aaron was declared the winner.
“Yes!” he said jubilantly.
“Well, you had inspiration the rest of us didn’t,” Adam drawled, giving him a deadpan look.
Aaron shook his head. “I was winning before Camille got here, so don’t even try that.”
They all moved out to the terrace where the meal had been laid buffet-style. Waiting staff stood discreetly at attention, ready to serve.
Once seated at the long table already set for them, Robert offered prayers. Then they ate.
“So, what’s it been like working with these two Cortelli men?” Dana asked, turning to Camille. “And the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
Camille swallowed, dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
“Well, Robert was wonderful from the get-go as Mordecai. Very patient, very kind. Delivered his lines with accuracy.” She paused. “His son, however… well… he was a bit of a tyrant…”
“Tyrant? Really?” Aaron asked, watching her in mock outrage.
“Well… your mom asked me to be truthful,” she replied, batting her eyes.
“You’re a traitor, that’s what you are,” he said. “Let me tell you about this one. She decided at some point during filming that she knew better than me and began to do her own thing.”
“I did?” she asked, all innocence.
“Yeah. You did. But she repented and changed her ways. So I forgave her.”
Camille laughed. “I thought it was you who repented and changed your ways, Xerxes.”
“Oh, is that the story you’re going with?” he asked, laughing.
“Yeah, that’s my version and I’m sticking with it.”
They dissolved into laughter.
Conversation drifted after that—to the sermon at church, to politics, to movies. Aaron asked if Camille if she had gone to his church or hers.
“Neither,” she responded as she focused on slicing her meat. She noticed from her peripheral vision that Aaron seemed about to question her further but his brother, Damian, asked him a question about his church. Aaron turned to respond to him and never returned to the question he was about to ask Camille, much to her relief. She was wary now of heaping deceit upon deceit.
After the main meal they collected dessert and drifted back into the living room. Camille sat next to Aaron on the couch and became engrossed in the football game with the Cortelli men.
Soon Dana invited her to join a game of Garbage with her and Alexandra.
“Garbage? I’ve never played that.”
Alexandra waved a hand. “We can teach you in no time.”
Within minutes Camille understood the rudiments. It was simple—players tried to fill their ‘slots’ in numerical order. It required little strategy, perfect for chatting while playing.
Camille asked Alexandra if the art showing had been successful.
“Yes, I was really pleased with the reception,” Alexandra said. “I sold many pieces.”
“I ordered one, but they told me it was already sold.”
