CREE (6 page)

Cameron and Cree were the last to arrive at the restaurant. Delia’s birthday dinner was being held in a private party room, and raucous laughter could be heard just outside the door.

Right before they entered, Cree pulled on Cameron’s hand. “This is a pretty expensive looking restaurant. Do I look okay?”

He turned around to face her. His face was a mask. As if contemplating a response, then changing his mind, Cameron decided to examine every inch of Cree.

His intense gaze started by studying her sexy feet in sandaled peek-a-boo heels, slowly, very slowly making their way up her incredibly long and toned legs, before lingering for a moment on her slim waist and rounded hips.

Cree felt more like he was undressing her with his eyes, than giving an opinion on her dress. Probably, because that was exactly what he was doing, and she loved it.

Her skin prickled with excitement. “Cameron come on? Is this outfit okay or not?” She nervously chewed the bottom of her lip.

He crossed his arms over his chest and as if in serious thought, responded. “Hmm…you asked for my opinion now let me finish my inspection.”

Cree rolled her eyes. Cameron ignored her.

His eyes began to darken as Cree’s nipples hardened underneath his intense scrutiny. It was easy to see beneath the stretchy fabric that molded beautifully to her body.

Cree’s mouth parted slightly in an attempt to catch her breath, and that brought his piercing gaze to her full lips.

Finally, his indigo eyes met sparking milk chocolate ones. His voice was low and husky when he answered, “You are the most beautiful woman in…or out of that dress.”

Cree was sure she glowed from the inside out. “Thank you for that.”

He leaned in and kissed her sweetly on the lips. “It’s true. And, when we get home, I’ll prove it to you. Until then, let’s try to have fun. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

He placed her hand in his, opened the door, and entered the room.

As soon as they walked inside, his friend, Delia made a beeline for them. It was almost as if she had been watching the door and waiting.

Delia, all five foot two-inches of her left the group of people she’d been speaking with and quickly came over to greet them.

Deftly she slipped in-between Cameron and Cree. “My goodness, I didn’t think you would ever get here.”

He glanced at Cree over Delia’s head. “Yeah, sorry we’re a little late.”

As much as Cree pretended, Cameron knew she didn’t like Delia. He just hoped the more they got to know each other that would all change.

Delia spared Cree a glance. “Well, I’m glad you both could make it.”

Cree didn’t believe that was genuine for a second.

Delia turned back to Cameron. “All of our friends have been asking for you. We should go over and say hello after you speak to my parents.”

Before they headed in that direction, she yelled out to her guests. “Everybody, Cameron’s here…and Cree too.” She added Cree at the last moment, as if she was an afterthought. Delia placed both her hands on Cameron’s arm guiding him away from Cree and towards a table full of people.

Seething on the inside, Cree followed behind them. When Delia did that giggle thing that she detested and tossed her shimmering ebony hair, Cree almost lost it. However, she didn’t want to embarrass Cameron in front of his friends and co-workers. Instead, she would play it cool for now.

Delia was just beaming as she brought Cameron over to her parents. “Mom and dad, you remember Cameron right?”

Her father smiled. “Yes, of course. It’s good to see you again.” He stuck out his hand, and Cameron shook it.

“You too, sir.”

Delia couldn’t seem to knock that silly grin from her face. “Mom, you remember Cameron too?”

Her mother smiled broadly as well. “Of course I do. How could I forget such a handsome face?”

The compliments embarrassed him. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Mrs. Thornton lightly touched his arm. The one that didn’t still have Delia attached to it. “Please, I’m too young for that. Call me Maria.”

Cree was feeling more and more invisible and angry. She cleared her throat hoping to get Cameron’s attention. As if he’d forgotten that she’d been patiently standing there, he quickly stepped out of the semi-circle of Delia and her parents and guided her by the small of her back closer to them.

“I’m sorry, please let me introduce you to my wife, Cree. Cree, this is Delia’s parent’s Maria and Brett Thornton.”

She had never been good at masking her emotions, and she probably wasn’t going to be successful this time either. However, Cree managed to stretch her lips upward forcing a smile to form on her face. Her voice didn’t come out stiff or warm; it was even. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Delia’s mother appeared genuinely surprised. Cree wasn’t sure if it was because she seemed to be the only one in the room with mocha skin and big springy-coily hair, or if it was because Cameron was married.

Cree was used to people being shocked when Cameron introduced her as his wife because he could easily pass for a Hollywood leading man with his sexy lips, dirty blond hair, and blue eyes. She wasn’t, however, used to people not knowing that he
had
a wife. Especially, people he called
friends
. Hopefully, that wasn’t the case.

Looking between Cree and Cameron, Maria Thornton asked, “My goodness, I had no idea you were married. Did this happen recently?”

Her heart almost stopped. Although the seed of doubt had been planted in the back of her mind, Cree never actually thought Cameron wouldn’t tell his friends about her.

He could feel her eyes burning a hole into the side of his head. He knew how bad this looked, but he would explain when they got home.

Cameron turned an interesting shade of red. “Actually, we’re high-school sweethearts.” He tried to pull her to his side, but Cree wouldn’t budge, “We’ll be celebrating our sixth year of marriage in a few months.”

Mr. Thornton’s voice rang out. “We’ve known you for almost four years and in all that time…” As if he realized what he was about to say he stopped. “I…well…I’m sure I just forgot.” At least he had the decency to remember she was still standing there. Could this night get any worse? She didn’t want to even look at him.

Cameron tried to smooth it over by explaining. “Cree only recently relocated to New York once I accepted the position at Presbyterian.” He turned to her. “Mr. Thornton was pretty instrumental in helping me get that residency.”

Upset didn’t even begin to explain how she was feeling. Cree looked him in the eye. “I know how very important that was for you.” He didn’t miss the iciness in her tone. She turned to face Delia’s father. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Cameron.”

“Delia sings his praises all the time.”

“I bet she does.” Cree couldn’t help thinking. She didn’t typically consider herself the jealous type, but she couldn’t ignore the red flags.

Mr. Thornton tapped Cameron on the shoulder. “Well, he shows great promise. This one here is going to be a fantastic doctor. Presbyterian is lucky to have him.” He looked around. “Where the hell has that waitress been hiding? I’m thirsty. I think I saw a bar on the way in here. Cam, why don’t we go over and grab a drink.”

Cam
. Did he just call him
Cam
? Cree was so ready to leave, and they hadn’t even had dinner yet.

He bent low to kiss her on the cheek almost imperceptivity she turned away. “I’ll be right back. Did you want anything?”

She wouldn’t. She couldn’t even look at him. “No, thank you.”

Delia laughed. “We won’t bite Cam. You can leave her and go get a drink with daddy.”

Now Delia was calling him
Cam
too? Cree knew that she was overreacting, but nobody called Cameron
Cam
but her. Even that was reserved for special moments just between them.

Cameron and Mr. Thornton walked out of the private room to get their drinks.

Maria Thornton chimed in. “So, Cree. What do you do? Are you a doctor too?”

She’d never felt more inadequate in her life than when she was standing around with all of Cameron’s fancy friends, especially Delia. “I’m enrolled in classes for this fall.”

Delia spoke. “Really? What graduate school will you be attending?”

Cree stammered, “I…I’m…I’ll be attending NYU this fall for my undergraduate degree.”

Marie Thornton looked at Delia, feigning enthusiasm that didn’t quite feel genuine. “Oh. Well…that’s great. It’s never too late to go back to school.”

So far, this night, talking to these women felt like getting her tooth pulled without any pain medication.

Smug and pretending to be interested, Delia remarked, “I’m sure Cameron is very proud of you for going back. And, can I say I’ve been admiring your dress? Who are you wearing?”

Cree didn’t think for one minute that was true; but one thing she could always be proud of was her sewing. She was good. “I actually made this myself.”

Her eyes widened. “You did not?”

“I did.”

“That’s pretty amazing. I just don’t have any creative talent like that. That’s why I became a doctor. My goodness, I bet you save a lot of money too. Daddy would just love you. I put a small fortune on his credit card every month on the silliness of clothing. As a matter of fact, this dress probably cost daddy four thousand dollars. But, it’s my birthday, and I deserve it.”

The confidence she felt slipped. “It is a beautiful dress, Delia.”

*****

The night was long. The longer it went on, the more she felt like a spectator on the sidelines. Cameron introduced her to some people she hadn’t met before, and she chatted with a couple of his friends that she’d already met on previous trips to New York. Cameron knew she was angry and after trying unsuccessfully to engage her in conversation, he gave up.

She watched him work the room. Cameron was charming and when he would flash that smile with those perfectly white teeth, he drew people to him like a moth to a flame.

The dagger in her heart came when she’d overheard Delia’s mother talking to someone at the party. “They were high school sweethearts. That rarely ever works.” In less than two hours, all of her insecurities surfaced. She was out of place. For the first time she truly wondered if she and Cameron were still on the same team.

Cameron hoped that he and Cree would have a good time at Delia’s dinner, but the night was a bust. She was pissed. On the cab ride home, Cree looked out of the window as she sat with her arms folded and as far away from him as possible.

“Are we going to talk about tonight?”

Cree closed her eyes. They burned. Talk? Yes, they needed to talk, but her emotions were all over the place. She was mad as hell, hurt, frustrated, disappointed, and feeling emotions that she wasn’t even sure she could identify.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him. She didn’t trust her voice, but she spoke anyway. “Sure. Let’s
talk
.” Grateful and surprised that it hadn’t betrayed her.

“I hate it when you’re like this Cree.”

She shook her head, incredulous. “Are you kidding right now?” Sarcastically, she laughed and pointed at him. “You…
hate it
…when
I’m
like this. How about I
hate it
when my husband forgets he has a
wife
.”

“I know what happened tonight with Delia’s parents looks bad, but it’s not what it seems.”

Cree smirked. “Really? Well, by all means, please explain it to me. I’m all ears.”

“First of all, I’m not very close to Delia’s parents. I’ve met them a few times, but my relationship, if you want to call it that, is mainly with her father. It’s one built on mutual respect. Delia told me he had some connections that would help me get the residency. I accepted her help. When I interacted with him, we didn’t discuss the personal details of our lives.”

“Are you telling me you tried to get the residency at Presbyterian? You never had any intention of going to Jackson U if it were left up to you!” That was another blow to Cree.

Cameron was frustrated. “I tried to get both
residencies
, Cree. But, yes. Presbyterian was my first choice.”

Cree didn’t have the energy it would require to really think about what he’d just revealed. It was all water under the bridge at this point. She needed to sta focused on what was in front of her, “Let’s say I buy that. He shouldn’t have been able to miss your wedding ring. And, for the record, it didn’t seem like your relationship was very casual. Maybe it didn’t feel that way because good old Delia was always
singing your praises
. Maybe that’s why your relationship with her parents seemed so much closer.”

“Cree, you’re overacting about this. When I was around Mr. Thornton, we were in a lab. I don’t wear my ring there. I know this doesn’t look good, but I haven’t given you any reason to be jealous of Delia or anyone else for that matter.”

“Until tonight.” Cree exclaimed. Cameron Jacobs, you are not going to make me feel guilty for feeling the way I do. You brought me to a party where Delia acted more like your girlfriend than I felt as your wife!”

“That’s silly. Delia and I are just friends. She doesn’t see me that way, and I certainly don’t see her that way either.”

“She had her hands all over you and treated me like a nuisance from the moment we walked into the room.” Cree swallowed hard doing her best to choke back her tears. “For the most part, I’m not an insecure person, Cameron. And, I hate that I’m feeling this way.”

He hated to see her cry. When Cameron reached out to touch her, Cree drew away. He dropped his arms. “Cree…” She turned around to look out of the window.

They rode the rest of the way home in silence. As soon as the car stopped, she hopped out and went inside. Cameron paid the driver and slammed the door shut. He was pissed too.
“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

Cameron followed her up to the apartment in silence and opened the door. Cree walked stiffly past him going directly to their bedroom.