“The owners weren’t selling,” I note, looking to Camden for clarification.
“Jason swooped in and convinced them.” He reaches to grab me, but I put my hands up to stop him. I can’t have him touch me right now, not when he might be the very reason everything I’ve worked for goes up in flames.
“I’ll fix it,” Camden adds, his voice low enough for just me to hear. “I just need time. I’ve had Daly on it all day.”
My eyes widen as a lump forms in my throat. This can’t be happening. “You…you knew?” I hate how my shaky voice betrays every single one of my emotions.
I look weak right now, and I can’t even begin to care because mostly, I feel betrayed by the man I’ve fallen in love with. The guilt is written all over his face. In the way he frowns, a crease appearing on his forehead as his eyes move from mine for just a fraction of a second in pretty much an admission of guilt.
“I found out earlier, but I didn’t want to tell you until I knew more.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me the moment you found out this asshole was trying to get rid of everything I’ve ever worked for?”
“I didn’t know it was him,” Camden counters. “I just knew the block was under contract, and I’ve done enough business to know the intentions when big real estate groups buy up smaller real estate.”
“Because you’re one of them.” Everything comes crashing down all at once. My reality gets messed up as I realize Camden is exactly who I originally thought he was—not who I hoped he was. Which unfortunately means he belongs in their world—not mine.
Camden winces like my words actually hurt him. “Don’t say that,” he rasps. “I’m going to fix it.”
I shake my head back and forth slowly, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Before I can say anything else, Jason speaks up. “I’ll let the two of you handle this. I look forward to speaking with you more, Pippy. The deal should be final soon. Keep an eye out for the rent increase.”
“It’s Pippa,” Camden fumes, cutting a glare in Jason’s direction. “And you’ll be speaking to me sooner because this isn’t over.”
Jason gives a satisfied smile. “Give it up, Hunter. You should thank me. This can only lead to you getting higher-paying customers.”
He leaves, and everything I want to say to him gets stuck in my throat. I’m in shock and dealing with too much hurt to speak. Not with my world crashing down around me with the realization that Camden’s and my worlds are too vastly different to work.
“I’ll fix this,” Camden promises, trying to reach for my hand. I pull mine back, not wanting to feel his skin against mine. If I let him touch me, my head will become foggy all over again, and I can’t have that right now. I need to think clearly. I have to figure out a way to stop this.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” I ask, looking around at the partygoers who are eyeing us over their shoulders.
“We can talk wherever you want to talk. Just please don’t shut down on me. I’m going to fix it.”
All I can do is nod because the lump in my throat is too big. I want to believe him with every part of me, but for him to fix this, he’d have to go against the only world he’s ever known.
He places his hand on my back, steering me through the people until we step out to the cold breeze of the night. There’s a chill to the fall air, making my skin break out in goose bumps.
Camden begins to shrug out of his jacket. “Take my jacket,” he insists, pulling his second arm free.
I shake my head. “I’m fine.”
His eyes darken, his icy-blue irises turning dark and stormy. “You’re rubbing your arms like you’re cold. Take it. Now.”
I don’t argue when he places it on my shoulders, even though I know it is a bad idea. I’m engulfed in his smell, a scent that’s become too comforting to me. A scent I’ve grown far too accustomed to when I knew in the back of my mind one day I’d have to let it go.
I hate it, but I can’t help but wonder if today is that day.
Camden doesn’t take a step back. His hands stay on my shoulders as his eyes search my face. “I need you to talk to me. I need to know that we’ll figure this out together.”
I cut my gaze from his, unable to look him in the eye. It hurts too much. “Maybe it’s best we don’t.”
His body jerks like I’ve hit him. “Nothing will ever be the best for me if it isn’t with you.”