Page 59 of Unwrapped
I gesture to the table of middle-aged men across the way. “Those guys are all pharmacists.”
“They look ... exciting.”
I snort. “They’re about as thrilling as a calculus exam.”
He laughs. “So, I’m guessing you don’t want to sit with them?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Hey, isn’t that Lena over there in the corner?” He points.
I spot her seated at a table with a gorgeous dark-haired man I’ve never seen before. “Yeah, it’s her.”
“C’mon. Let’s go say hello.” When I hesitate, he gives me a quizzical look. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know who that guy is, but he’s definitelynother fiancé.”
“Whoa. OK.” He grimaces. “Then why is he rubbing her back?”
Sure enough, Lena’s elbows are resting on the table while mystery man moves his hand in circles, massaging her upper back.
“Good question.” I know Lena well enough to know she’d never cheat on Marc, but I’m more than a little perplexed by what I’m seeing. My feet carry me forward before I can stop them, and Dean follows as I make my way over to Lena’s table. “Hey, you!”
She meets my gaze with reddened eyes and tearstained cheeks. “Hey, girl.” Her voice lacks its usual luster. “Sorry I never called you back. It was a rough week. I’ve been a bit of a recluse.”
“Are you feeling better? Is everything OK?”
“Not really.” She glances behind me, her eyes widening in shock. “Oh, hey, Dean. Nice to see you again.”
“You too, Lena.”
She raises an eyebrow at me. “Uh,clearlywe have a lot to catch up on.”
“We do.” My eyes dart to the mystery man who’s now sipping what looks like a seltzer. He’s even more attractive up close. I hold out my hand. “Hi. I’m Camille, but everyone calls me Cami.”
He smiles and clasps my hand, peering up at me with eerie gold eyes. “Nice to finally meet you, Cami. I’m Garrett.” We shake.
His identity finally clicks in my mind, and I feel like an asshole for doubting my friend’s character. Lena has mentioned Garrett many, many times.
“So,you’rethe infamous best friend, slash, housemate, slash, spider killer?”
He grins. “’Tis I.”
Lena speaks up, “Sorry. I forgot you two haven’t officially met. I swear, my brain is useless these days.” She glances at Dean and motions between herself and Garrett. “I’m sure this lookedwaymore scandalous than it was.”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I don’t judge.”
“Then you’re one of the few. Anyway, this is Garrett Casey. He’s been my best friend since first grade. He lives on the bottom two floors of my brownstone, and yes, he kills the spiders when I ask him to.” She nudges her friend. “Gar, this is Dr. Dean West, Cami’s new man.”
He smiles at Dean. “Nice to meet you.”
The guys shake and make small talk, quickly launching into an animated conversation about sports.
I settle beside Lena. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, you know, life and shit.” She wipes her cheeks, and it’s then I notice she isn’t wearing her ring. “Ugh, I don’t even know why I bothered trying to leave the house.”
“Why’d you bring Garrett? Is Marc out of town?”
