Chapter 20
SADIE
“What thefuck?”
The words shot out of Cammy’s mouth in an accusatory way.
“Something’s going on. Tell me. Now.” Her eyes were narrowed as if she were two seconds away from jumping over the counter and beating the information out of us.
“Cam,” I said. “Let me… you want a glass of wine or something? Let’s start there.”
“I don’t want a goddamn glass of wine,” she said. “I want to know what the hell is going on.”
“Camilla,” Noah said. “There’s no need for this kind of hostility.”
“I’m not being hostile, Dad. But I know something serious is up and you’re both starting to freak me out.”
Which one of us was going to begin? That was the big question.
Noah answered it by clearing his throat and starting.
“I’ll tell you everything. But please, come over here and sit down first.”
She marched around the counter, stepping into the living room, and making her way over to one side of the leather sectional. Outside, the dark, gray sky had given way to a light flurry of snow. I’d come over with every intention of going back to Mom and Dad’s house, but between their reaction and the weather, it was looking more and more like the babies, and I were going to be having a sleepover.
“Thanks, Camilla,” Noah said as he approached the couch. “Now, let me—”
“You know what?” Cammy said. “I think I will take something to drink. But I don’t want wine – I want some scotch, and the fancy stuff, too. Dad, can you get me some of that McCallan’s Twenty? Thanks.”
A small, pleased smile formed on her face. It seemed to be dawning on Cammy that, for the time being, she was in complete control over the conversation.
Noah sighed. “Fine.” He went over to the bar, and I watched as he refreshed his drink and poured one for Cammy. Both glasses in hand, he went over to his daughter and handed her one.
“Now,” he said. “Let me—”
Cammy stuck up a finger, sipping her drink. When she was done, she lowered her glass and shook her head.
“You know what, this stuff’s kind of gross, actually. Dad, can you get me a gin and tonic instead?”
“Enough.” Noah growled the word, and with that one utterance knocked Cammy off the top of the conversation and re-established himself as the boss of the house.
Noah sat down across from her, and I took the chair in the middle between them, the three of us forming a triangle. Part of me wished that I could be nearer to Noah. But I knew that would be very inappropriate considering what was going on.
Cammy shifted where she sat, and I sensed she was nervous as if she understood that something was about to happen that would turn her life upside down. I felt that her bluster had been her way of hiding that.
Noah sipped his drink, then leaned forward, spread his legs, and held his glass between his knees.
“Almost a year ago, there was a party. You remember? It was that masquerade ball that you had the ticket to.”
“The one you gave me the ticket for,” I added.
“I know the party,” Cammy replied.
“During that party,” Noah went on, “I was approached by a woman. I wasn’t there looking for romance, but she was kind and funny and I enjoyed talking with her. And you know me well enough to get that I don’t feel that way about every woman that comes into my life.”
“Go on,” she said, her eyes flicking over to me.
“We got along great, as a matter of fact. But there was one little quirk about her – she didn’t want to take off her mask. Not even…” He trailed off, and I could sense he was trying to figure out how to phrase the next part so that it was appropriate for his daughter.