Cam is looking at me in a thoughtful way.
‘But what about all those men at university? Those wild nights working as a cocktail waitress? The exotic pole dancing?’
Oh. My. Fudging. Word. I am going to kill Lois.
‘No! Absolutely not. I did no such thing!’
‘So, you made that up just to get on the show?’ Cam smiles. ‘It’s okay. We hear all kinds of horseshit from people desperate to get on the show.’
I love my sister and she did rather have fun for the both of us at college, but she’s obviously thought nothing of telling a whole load of lies to get on the show.
‘No. I must have… it must have come out wrong. I was actually co-vice-captain of the hummus society.’
‘The hummus society? Sounds wild.’
I nod keenly. ‘Yes. It was. There are over twenty-six different types. There were tastings to organise every single weekend. Did you know Mexico is the hummus capital of the world?’
He sips his wine again, this time taking a bigger slug. ‘Surely, the Middle East is the hummus capital of the world.’
‘I meant Western world.’ I quickly top him up. ‘It originated from Egypt if you’re going to be pedantic about it.’
He’s so culinarily literate.
‘Anyway, I’m not desperate to get on the show. I just thought it might challenge me. I’ve been a bit stuck lately.’
‘You’re finding it difficult to move on?’
‘Yes,’ I admit. ‘I guess this is my kick up the backside. Something to jolt me out of my boring routine.’
Cam nods. ‘I totally get that.’
We share an intimate look. He really does have the loveliest kind eyes. They are glinting in the candlelight.
‘You don’t want to risk getting your heart broken again,’ I say understandingly. ‘Well, let me tell you, sometimes it’s best to just let it go. Not all girls run around breaking hearts. Sometimes it is the men who do the breaking. They say the first cut is the deepest.’ It’s just one cliché after another tonight. ‘I’m sure whoever it is regrets it big time.’
A half-smile tugs sadly at his mouth. ‘I’m sure if she wasn’t married to my best friend, she would.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry!’ I gasp. ‘I had no idea. That was terribly insensitive.’
‘That’s okay. It was a long time ago.’ Cam picks up his drink, avoiding my gaze.
I gulp back the desire to sweep him up into a hug. ‘That’s awful. Such betrayal must have really hurt.’
He looks up to meet my gaze. It did hurt him. It’s in the haunted look, and in the brave smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
‘I hope you find peace with it,’ I say, lifting my drink. ‘Sometimes people just make no sense.’
He clinks glasses with me. ‘No, they don’t.’
We busy ourselves eating for a few moments before Cam breaks the silence. ‘What do you think of the chicken? Is it spicy enough?’
‘It’s delicious,’ I say. ‘I love spicy chicken. Being gluten intolerant means I get most of my protein from chicken and fish.’
‘Interesting,’ he says, giving me a quizzical look.
‘How so?’ I stop eating.
‘Because in your interview you told me you were a very strict vegan.’
