And all he wanted to do was to chase after her. Stop her. Talk to her some more. Hear all about what she’d been doing.
“Such a shame about her family.”Camille shook her head.“Some people just don’t know how to hold on to their money.”
He took Camille’s elbow, his jaw clenched.“If you all would excuse us?”He led Camille away from the group, out of the ballroom, and into an uncrowded spot in the corner of the lobby.
“Delbert, why are you dragging me away from the party?”A smug look settled on her features.“Oh, you finally want to apologize, don’t you?”
He let go of her elbow and faced her.“Camille, what are you doing here?”
“Delbert, I know you were a bit brusque with me when I last saw you. I know you’re sorry and you’ve been busy. I assume that’s why you didn’t have time to come apologize before this.”She flashed him a flirty smile.
A smile that did nothing for him.
“Camille, I didn’t come to apologize because I have nothing to apologize for. I was under the impression we broke up.”He crossed his arms.
“Don’t be silly. Of course we didn’t. It was just a little spat.”
“Camille, it wasn’t a spat, as you call it. I meant it. You talk to people like they are beneath you. You speak without thinking of the consequences of your words.”He let out a long sigh.“And I get tired of making apologies for the way you act.”
“How I act?Me? I act just fine. You’re the one being ridiculous. And rude.”
“Camille, let me spell this out clearly since you obviously did not get it before. I don’t think we should date anymore. It’s not working out. Not for me.”
Her face flushed a bright red, and she jabbed a well-manicured finger at his chest.“Delbert Hamilton, you’re going to regret this.”
He highly doubted it.“But you understand that we’re over?”
“I wouldn’t take you back if you begged me to.”She lifted her chin defiantly, and she swirled away from him.“You’ll be sorry, Delbert. You will. But don’t try to come crawling back to me.”She flounced away and swept back into the ballroom.
He’d hoped she would leave the hotel so he didn’t have to see her again tonight…
But at least he’d made it clear this time. He thought he’d made it clearlast time. He let out a long breath.“Goodbye, Camille.”He said the words into the empty air and hoped this time it would truly be over and she’d just…leave him alone.
And with all the problems and trouble Camille had caused over the years, why had she picked now to stir up yet more drama?
The exact moment Cassandra had dropped back into his life.
Chapter 3
Later that evening Olivia and Heather strolled through the pathways of the large garden outside the hotel. They finally sat on one of the many benches, and Olivia kicked off her shoes, rubbing her feet.“Okay, I think these outfits look smashing, but my feet. These shoes. Ugh.”
“That’s because you’re a barefoot woman at heart.”Heather laughed.
“I am. I admit it.”
“Mom did an outstanding job with the gala, didn’t she?”
“She sure did. She should be so proud. And now…she’s moving on to becoming the cook at the cafe.”
“You know, you’re going to have to name the cafe.”Heather eyed her.
“I know. I just can’t come up with a good name.”She sighed.“Moonbeam Cafe, Sunny Cafe, Magnolia Cafe. Or maybe diner…but I think it’s going to be more a cafe, right? I thought of some clever names, but they don’t sound right. I even tried an online generator for names. Still, nothing.”
“You know the entire town is just going to call it Parker’s Cafe, no matter what you name it.”Heather shrugged.“But I still think you need a name.”
Olivia grinned.“You’re so right. Why am I over-thinking this? Parker’s Cafe it is.”
“No, name it something that’s all yours,”Heather insisted.“You could call it Livy’s Place or Livy’s Cafe.”
