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Cameron’s brow pinched suspiciously. “How?”
Lake Googled for pictures, and handed over his phone. Cameron stared at it, perplexed.
“Lakewood Bourbon Distillery.” Lake cleared the rasp from his throat. “It’s got space and is structurally in good shape. You and Brandon might have to redesign inside, but you can use it, just cover property taxes and upkeep until you’re in the black. Then we can discuss rent, and I promise it’ll be very reasonable.”
Cameron looked at him, blinking. “I’m dreaming.”
“Because I’m giving you this space to grow your channel?”
“Yes.”
Lake laughed. “You’re not dreaming.” Long seconds passed as Cameron scrolled through pictures of the distillery. “Please say you’ll take it.”
Cameron let out an amazed sigh and returned his phone. “Only if you try working for Austen Studios. I’ve a film editing position open that I hoped you’d take.”
“Wait. I was horrible to you and you’re offering me a job?”
“I’m not sure honesty counts as you being horrible.” Cameron picked lint off the blanket on his lap. “Besides, you’re not the only one who’s said I don’t have a life outside of work.”
Shame melted Lake. Shame, and anger at whoever else had made Cameron feel like shit. “Who—” his voice broke.
“My ex.” Cameron shrugged.
“Your ex is a dick. Are we the reason for all this?” Lake motioned toward the binge foods and scrunched tissues.
“Maybe.”
Lake groaned. “We are.”
“Not just you and the ex. Some of this is because of . . .” Cameron screwed his eyes shut and his throat bulged. “Josh.”
Josh? “What did Josh say?”
“Less what he said than what he did.”
“What did he do?”
Cameron sniffed and opened his eyes. “He fell in love with West.”
Lake laughed—surely Cameron was having him on. “I’m not following.”
Had Knight read them correctly all along?
Was Knight ever wrong?
“I liked Josh. A stupid crush that would never have worked anyway.”
The anguish in Cameron’s voice made Lake’s belly lurch. God, wanting someone so bad and realizing they didn’t want you back . . .
Would this be him when Knight got back? When they talked? Would Lake feel that desperate pain of unrequited adoration?
Sympathy for Cameron wrenched through him. “I’m sorry.” He frowned. “Josh and West?”
“Josh told me last night. They’ve been together for years. Remember how I hooked Josh up with West’s number for his time in England? He used it, and they hit it off.”
“Why the secrecy?”
“West didn’t want anyone to know until after he’d told his parents, which he’s been doing over the last couple of weeks. It’s why he missed Taylor’s party, and why he’s been staying at Taylor’s. It hasn’t been going well. He’s being cut off from his parents and shunned by his community. West picked up the last of his things after our strawberry outing, and went straight to Josh.”
“Josh came over and told you immediately?”
“Probably only because I saw their . . . very affectionate embrace while parking my car.” Cameron grabbed a tissue and blew his nose. “It’s officially no longer a secret, and I’m happy Josh is happy. I’m just . . .”
Lake sidled over the couch and locked an arm around Cameron. “Yeah.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe . . . West and Josh. This whole time—West bought the wedding cake.”
Cameron nodded.
Lake ran over the weekend in his mind again. Everything West had said, done . . . His sudden vanity outside Josh’s house; that “much nicer here” when he’d sat next to Lake within perfect view of Josh at the window; outside the bakery—West had meant to meet Josh for a sneaky rendezvous. His idea the winners of the Ask Austen game should dance, kiss—he wanted an excuse to break free from the secrecy. That call with his parents at the party—
“Poor West. And Josh. Having to hide like that. Poor you.” And Harry. Poor him, too. He’d been all dreamy-eyed since West’s gallant rescue. “I’ll need a moment to process it.”
“Or a few,” Cameron agreed.
Lake should probably tell Harry that West was off the market.
But.
Harry had a big audition on Friday, and Lake shouldn’t distract him from learning his lines. Besides, the likelihood he bumped into West before Friday evening was low.
Lake waited until after his audition.
Harry slouched into the living room and flopped onto Knight’s usual armchair. “I didn’t get it.”
Lake winced. “I don’t know if this is helpful, but Cameron told me he and his brother are holding auditions for a costume drama next week. He wanted to send you a script.”
Harry scrambled upright. “Are you kidding me?”
“Bad timing?”
“The best. I needed to get my mind off today’s near miss. Costume drama.” Harry lounged back into the armchair dreamily, lips lifting softly. “I’ll nail this.”
Lake smirked. “Have fun doing that.” His smile waned and he rubbed his thighs. Time to break the news—
“By the way.” Harry looked over at Lake. “I banged into West after my audition.”
