Page 33 of Chasing Clouds

“Really! Did she say where she’s been?”

Earlier in the week, he asked me if I had talked to her, and I said no. He looked offended for me—hell, I was offended for myself—and then said, “Maybe she’s just giving you some space and running interference with the parentals. I’m sure she’ll call soon.” But that’s how Clare is: everything is always on her schedule and never on mine.

“No.” I shake my head, swallowing. “But I’m used to it. She’s very evasive.”

He lets out an unhappy grunt as he takes our glasses and refills them with water. I had been hoping to find some type of clarity once I did talk to her, but that didn’t happen. I was so happy just to hear from her, I yelled, startling even myself.

“Where have you been?”

She laughs, and the sound instantly lowers the anxiety that’s been building within me for days. “Here and there.”

“What does that mean?” I demand.

“Does it matter?”

I can just see her shrugging one of her shoulders and tossing her gorgeous hair over the other as if abandoning me for days isn’t a big deal.

“Of course it matters! Everything about my life is in complete chaos and I need you.”

“You’re being a little dramatic, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Camille, you don’t need me. I have eyes. I was there and saw the guy you married. The only part of your life that should be chaotic and messy is his bedroom.”

I can hear the humor and the teasing in her tone. I scoff and start pacing the room. “It isn’t like that.”

“Well, why not? You are married, and he is hot.” She accentuates the last word, and deep down I realize I don’t want her looking at Reid that way. Between the two of us, Clare always got everything she wanted, and even though I know she and Reid are not a possibility, the thought of it still makes me ruffled. He’s the one thing in what feels like my entire life that’s mine, only mine.

“It just isn’t.”

Clare starts laughing again, and I swear if she were here I might just kick her. “Seems to me things might make a little more sense to you if it was like that.”

“Will you please stop? I need your help. You’re the sensible one between the two of us. Tell me what to do.”

“No way. It’s time for you to stop listening to everyone else and decide for yourself. What do you want to do?”

I hated that statement, I hated her question, and I also hated how we left things.

“Well, at least she finally called.” Reid’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Feel free to invite her down. I know you told Jack she wasn’t coming, but as long as you’re here, this is your home too. You can invite whoever you want.” His brows draw down and he frowns. “Well, except for other guys. I don’t think that would be a good idea, even if you were discrete about it.”

“Reid, we are married. It may be a rather unconventional marriage, but I would never bring another guy back to your home. I would never bring another guy anywhere. For as long as we are a we, I’m yours.” I roll my lips between my teeth and watch him. His eyes widen just a little, but they never break from mine.

“I’m yours, too,” he says, letting out a deep breath.

Eight days—that’s how long I’ve known him, and in that time, he’s been kinder than anyone has been to me in the last five years. My eyes scan over the details of his face, a face I’ve come to revere, and I’m so grateful.

“So, I picked this up for you today,” he says, leaning to the side to pull a folded magazine from his pocket. “I saw it and thought you might like to see what’s going on around town. Maybe if you knew where you were going, that might help you get out for a bit.”

He slides it across the bar so it sits in front of me. I don’t say anything, because I know he’s right. I need to get out.

“Did you leave at all this week?” He walks back to his seat, sits down, and lays his forearms on the bar in front of him.

I pick up the local magazine and thumb through it to avoid seeing any form of disappointment on his face. “I went out on the porch—does that count?”

“Camille.” The tender way he says my name has heat climbing up my cheeks.

“I know, I know,” I say, letting out a sigh. “I just needed a few days.”