Were we really back to this? “Upstate New York.”
Camden took his turn and moved three spots. He asked, “Where specifically?”
We were playing more than one kind of game here. Was this what he was up to? Trying to lure me into a false sense of security and then springing questions on me? To his credit, it felt a little like it might work. But I was stronger than that. “I don’t give out that kind of background detail. It might be one of my security questions for a website where I’ve forgotten the login.”
“Is it a security question?” he asked as I skipped my token ahead six spaces. “Do you think I’m going to hack into your bank accounts?”
“I don’t because I’m not going to give out personal information like that.”
This seemed to amuse him as I again tried to figure out what he was up to. His arm brushed against mine as he moved his token, and it sent tiny shock waves of electricity dancing along my nerves.
I pulled my arm away, feeling ridiculous. That know-it-all grin was on his face, like he knew exactly what had just happened. Now I was irritated. Maybe it was time for me to go on the offensive instead of passively waiting for his next question or a further attempt to make my knees go weak.
“What is it that you do?” I asked. I knew, but he didn’t know that I did.
A strange expression crossed his face. “Why do you want to know what I do?”
“Um, it’s a common question that people ask one another. It’s also your chance to brag if you’ve got a great job and you’re that kind of guy.”
“I work at a tech company.”
Well, that was underselling what he did. It made me like him more—that he hadn’t tried to impress me when he could have.
“What about you?” he asked. “What do you do?”
“Event coordinator.” It was my standard response.
“Are you working at this event?” His question was pointed, calculated sounding. Did he suspect what I really did?
“No, I’m just here for Sadie and to celebrate her special day. I think Troy’s doing an amazing job. It’s nice to not have to be the one in charge.” That was a package we offered brides—we would plan their entire event and be by their side for every decision they had to make and then ensure the day went smoothly. I had, from time to time, been an event coordinator. So, not a lie. Technically.
Camden’s expression made me feel like a big old fibber, though. His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket, glancing at it. “Excuse me a second.”
He had an actual flip phone. Why would a tech CEO have a relic older than my mom?
As he stood up I said, “Okay, but I hope you tell whoever’s on your call from the ancient past that I’m definitely winning.”
He grinned at me, seeming to enjoy both my joke about his phone and how I was going to beat him. “We’ll see about that.”
I watched as he walked into the darkness, past the lighted torches, and wondered who was on the other line.
I also wondered why I was spending so much time interacting with and thinking about a man that I was never going to see again after this week ended.
Instead of watching him pace back and forth while he talked, I decided to check my own phone.
Where there were thirteen missed text messages from my mother.
I let out a groan. This was not going to be pleasant.
CHAPTER THREE
I didn’t bother reading her texts; I didn’t need to. They would all be some variety of Call me right away! If I didn’t respond to her soon, she’d start calling me. Nonstop. I was about two more texts away from that happening.
If I’d been able to, I would have just turned off my phone. I couldn’t, though, because we had two of our staff working as bridesmaids at an event in New Jersey with a bride who was, shall we say, very enthusiastic about perfection. I took pride in coaching them through her drama because I was something of a bridezilla whisperer.
But it meant I was available to my mom, as well.
I dialed her number and she somehow picked up before it even rang on my end.
“Rachel! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you!”
“I’m working,” I told her, glancing around to make sure that no one could overhear me.
“Oh! Right. In Hawaii. How is it?”
“It’s beautiful here. You and Dad should come visit.”
She let out a sigh of disgust. “I didn’t mean the scenery. I meant the men. Are there any attractive, eligible men there?”