by Fox, Addison
…
Booth headed for a small wing of conference rooms on the same floor as their sales meeting, wishing he were heading to Camryn’s room instead.
God, but she had him twisted up.
He had known sex between them would be good and hadn’t believed they could top their first night together, but he was wrong. Last night was off the charts. Amazing. Incredible. Earth-shattering. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the image of Camryn, her hair tousled over his pillow as they awoke that morning, out of his head.
“Glad you could join us.” His father greeted him at the door of the conference room.
Booth stepped into the room and saw several members of the FJ’s legal counsel as well as their head of editorial, Melissa Langston. He was puzzled by the group of attendees, even more so by his father’s cryptic behavior. The urgent call to come down to the conference room had dragged him from the lunch session. Although his initial urge was to argue, the tersely worded “It’s urgent” had convinced him to make some polite excuses to his dining companions.
“Of course. Although I can’t imagine what could be so important you dragged me out of the conference. Has something happened? The sales meeting is our number one priority this week.”
“I’m aware of our priorities.” West’s voice was commanding and Booth realized something must be extraordinarily wrong for the master and commander routine. While his father had never gotten fully over his need to be the alpha dog in every situation, West also took great pride in having his son lead the news organization that was the crown jewel in West’s company. It was exceedingly rare for him to take such a heated tack, especially in front of other staff members.
“So what’s wrong?”
“It’s come to my attention that Jeff Saunders has been saying some things about our paper. Things that border on libel.”
“Libel? You can’t be serious.” Booth conjured up a vague image of the man his father spoke of. They’d deliberately invited some of their advertisers to the event to build goodwill and share their strategies for the coming year, and Jeff had been added to the list late, after others had politely declined due to commitments.
“This is Jeff’s first time at the conference. From what I can tell, he’s well liked and he’s thrilled to be here. I know his company is new, relatively speaking, but it’s growing quickly. What could he possibly have said that was so out of line?”
“He’s intimated to some people that because of his ad spend with us, he’s getting favorable editorial treatment.”
“What?” Booth tried to compare the image he held of Jeff Saunders with the sort of backroom ethics and poor judgment the man spoke of.
Editorial for ads?
His father gestured toward the legal team, who projected an image of the paper up on a screen. “We all know it’s not true, but he spoke to me about it last night over drinks. After speaking to several others.”
“If he had a problem, why would it suddenly manifest itself here?”
Booth saw the briefest moment of triumph in his father’s eyes—he’d likely have missed it if he weren’t looking at the old man so closely—before West spoke. “It seems that he spoke with Camryn McBride.”
Chapter Eleven
Camryn picked up her phone as she paced her room once more and composed a text. She and Booth had agreed to meet to say good-bye, her role in the conference now over, but he had disappeared during lunch and she hadn’t heard from him. The front desk had already called up twice and she needed to leave or risk missing her flight.
With quick fingers, she tapped out a good-bye message and promised to see him when he got back to New York later that week, then headed downstairs for her car. She was surprised by how disappointed she was not to see him before leaving, but on some level, she knew it was for the best.
Don’t grow too attached.
The admonishment was an all-too-real reminder that their time in Hawaii had been a sort of mini-oasis from their day-to-day lives. No matter what they’d said here, once they were back in New York and the realities of life got back in the way, the sparks flaring between them would likely peter out. Especially once he got a load of her eighty-hour weeks.
The thought left her cold, but she ruthlessly ignored the flare of sadness at the thought. She’d known from the start this wasn’t something meant to last. No use suddenly deciding she wanted something permanent after pushing for the exact opposite.
They both knew the score, and that was all that mattered.
On a small, resigned sigh she grabbed her rolling suitcase and dropped her work bag on top and headed for the elevators. The lobby was quiet, the boisterous sounds from the last several days nowhere in evidence as Booth’s staff members were all in their daily meetings. It didn’t stop her from making one last look around to see if Booth was nearby, but when she didn’t see him she walked on to get a cab.
The sound of her name had her turning just before she cleared the electronic front doors.
“Ms. McBride!” A harried woman who looked familiar waved at her as she ran across the lobby and Camryn tried to place the face. “Ms. McBride!”
“Yes?”
“I’m Ann. We spoke last night briefly in the bar.”
“Ann! Of course, I’m sorry.” Their conversation came back to her and Camryn remembered Ann’s questions about how they were turning a profit. “What’s going on?”
“I need to speak to you. Privately if you have a moment.”
Camryn quickly calculated the trip to the airport and knew she had a few minutes to spare. “Of course.”
The woman’s furtive glances around the lobby would have been humorous if Camryn didn’t sense very real fear and she grew increasingly concerned. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
The two of them settled into a small, private corner. Their chairs had high backs and they weren’t readily visible from the lobby. “What do you think is wrong?”
“West Harrison called an emergency meeting today with his legal counsel. I’m not supposed to know except for the fact that I needed to answer some questions.”
Camryn’s antenna went on high alert and she put up a hand. “Ann. I’m sorry, but if you’re talking to legal counsel I really don’t need to know about it.”
“But it’s about you.”
“Me?”
“Seems there’s a man who’s been talking loudly about an ad deal he purchased. He said you told him it was wrong.”
Camryn rubbed her temples with her fingertips, the conversations she’d had with Jeff over the last two days coming back to haunt her. “I told him how we did business at McBride Media and what’s expected in the industry.”
“Apparently he thinks it’s something more and he’s been singing your praises as a great businesswoman. The speech the other day helped.”
She fought the butterflies dive-bombing her stomach and tried to focus on the problem at hand. “I also suggested to him he needs to seek out legal counsel if he’s worried. I really don’t see how I can be in the middle of this.”
“I just thought you ought to know. That’s all.”
“Thank you. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s a simple kerfuffle.” She tried to brush it off, the reality far more concerning.
Was this why Booth had been missing in action all day?
And what, exactly, was being said about her?
…
A long day of travel and the nagging concern about her lobby conversation with the FJ’s financial manager had left Camryn with a headache and a desperate desire for a cheeseburger. Since her pregnant sister had been rationing her burger intake—“rationing” the equivalent of only allowing herself one per day—Camryn was pleased when her text message to Mayson got an immediate yes.
She was even happier to see the warm smile and open arms when she walked into the diner.
After a tight hug she had to deliver sideways, Mayson slid her large form into the booth seat. “How wa
s Hawaii?”
“Interesting.”
“Interesting good or interesting bad?”
“Both.” Camryn sighed as she stowed her purse next to her. “Let’s order and I’ll fill you in.”
“Double cheeseburger, fries, and vanilla milkshake.” Mayson handed her menu to the waiter and shot Cam a quick glance. “She’ll have the same.”
“I—”
“The same.” Mayson said firmly before their waiter turned away.
“I don’t need all this food.”
“I’m certainly not going to eat all that and let you nibble on a single patty and some fruit. Throw a girl a bone.” Mayson glanced around the diner, her pregnancy glow as unmistakable as her enthusiasm for the burger.
“A shake, too?”
“They’re medicinal.” Mayson waved a hand before leaning as far forward as she was able. “And I get the distinct sense that you need some medicine. What’s going on?”
“Can you keep a secret?”
“As if!”
“Mayse, I’m serious. I’m not ready to say anything to Keira yet.”
Mayson’s eyes narrowed and the teasing had vanished from her voice. “What’s going on? And since when do you keep secrets from Keira?”
“Since I’m concerned her father-in-law is engaged in poor, if not illegal, business practices.”
“Oh my God.”
“I know.” Camryn stopped momentarily when the food came, then filled Mayson in on the specifics after their waiter had dropped off their feast.
“Do you think Booth knows?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you ask him?”
Camryn played with a fry. “I haven’t had a chance.”
“You spent three days with the man. What do you mean you didn’t have a chance?”
“He’s been busy. It was a huge event.”
“Camryn, this is a big deal. He deserves to know. Or—” Mayson broke off, her milkshake partway to her mouth. “You think he’s in on it?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s what’s got you so upset. You’re afraid he’s fully aware and participating in the editorial scam.”
“I can’t see how he’s not. He runs the paper. He knows what they print.” Camryn shook her head, the thoughts continuing to race over and over in her mind. No matter how she wanted to think Booth was innocent, she simply couldn’t envision him that unaware of what was going on right under his nose.
Especially since she’d seen how involved he was with the product.
“He deserves a right to defend himself.” Mayson set her milkshake down. “So does West, truth be told.”
“I know, but the evidence is pretty convincing when you know what to look for.” At last count she’d come up with six other questionable advertisers in addition to Jeff’s company.
“And let me guess. You went looking for it?”
“Of course.” Camryn sat back in her seat, more than a little shocked at the tone in Mayson’s voice. “What I don’t understand is that thread of censure in your voice.”
“It’s not censure, it’s concern. All I’m saying is that you should have spoken to Booth first. From what you’re telling me, you’ve already judged him and found him guilty.”
“I haven’t—” Camryn broke off, her sister’s penetrating gaze and all-too-insightful words hitting home. “I guess maybe I have.”
“Look. You know your stuff and you know numbers. If you think something’s off then act on it. But I do think Booth is owed a conversation and a chance to defend himself.” Mayson hesitated. “Especially if you’re sleeping with him.”
“Is it that obvious?” Camryn pushed her plate aside and dropped her head onto her hands. “I thought I was playing it so cool.”
“I know what to look for. Besides, I’ve been seeing through your cool factor for years. It’s my job as the little sister.”
Mayson’s hand was tight on hers and Camryn lifted her head. “He’s pretty incredible.”
Her sister’s snort was immediate. “Like that’s a surprise. He’s positively wonderful and if I wasn’t madly in love with Holt I’d consider fighting you for him.”
“He’s a good man. Interesting and interested. You know what I mean?”
“I do.” Mayson shook her head. “Nothing like the other guys you’ve dated.”
Camryn weighed the benefits of churning up ancient history, but the understanding in her sister’s gaze gave her the courage to press on. “I thought about Matt the other day.”
“Useless scab.”
“Mayson!”
“Oh, don’t ‘Mayson’ me. He’s an ass and you know it. Or was an ass. I wouldn’t know what he’s gotten up to, although Shelly Turlington told me I could creep his Facebook page on her profile.”
“I hope you didn’t do it.”
“No. Neither he nor his reported two-point-two children and golden retriever are worth the time.”
“Well, I say good for him and the woman he married, who, thankfully, is not me.” Camryn reached for the luscious milkshake that was just as medicinal as Mayson had promised. “And I mean that. The only reason I brought him up is that he was the closest thing I’ve ever had to permanent. Heck, we lived together after graduation.”
“And then he flew the coop after things got tough.” Mayson grabbed her hand once more. “You deserved better. And you still do.”
“I know.”
“And you know Booth fits the bill.”
“Yes. Maybe.” Camryn tried to find the right words. “He’s definitely better. The best. But I’m not looking for permanent and neither is he.”
“Sometimes permanent finds you.” Mayson laid her free hand on her stomach, a soft, faraway look into her eyes. “And it’s the absolute best thing to ever happen to you.”
“You and Holt are different.”
“How?”
“You just are. You’re a match. And you’re having a family. And, I don’t know, you’re just right. He’s one of the special ones.”
“From everything you’ve just said Booth is one of the special ones, too.”
“It’s messy and complicated.” She’d run that argument through her mind so many times even she was sick of it.
“Life’s messy and complicated. You can’t keep hiding from that fact behind spreadsheets and annual reports.”
She wanted to argue and defend her actions with a pithy platitude, but faced with the concern in Mayson’s eyes, Camryn gave in to the fear she’d tried desperately to keep at bay the last few weeks. Hell, over the last year that Booth had shown an interest. “I know what it’s like to be left. And I can’t go through that again.”
“Why are you so convinced he’ll leave?”
“What makes people stay?”
“A lot of things. Love at the top of the list.”
Camryn knew it was ancient history, but until she finally said the words, she hadn’t realized just how long Matt’s actions had haunted her. How his careless actions had framed the way she saw love and commitment. “I loved Matt and he told me he loved me, too. Yet as soon as I needed to come home for Mom, he left.”
“He didn’t have what it takes to deal with the hard stuff. That’s his shortcoming, not yours.”
“So what’s Dad’s excuse?”
Mayson grew quiet at that. “I don’t know.”
“He couldn’t handle it either. Life. Mom. Us. He never could.”
“So you paint every man—every relationship—with that brush?”
Oh God, how did she explain it? That raw panic that lived inside her of not being enough. Of being left alone once again. No matter how hard she worked at being present and in the moment, those fears and doubts whispered and crept back in to haunt her. “It’s not like I’m trying to do that.”
“Try or not, you are.” Mayson’s hand stayed firm on hers—the show of support absolute—but her tone didn’t soften. “Only you can fix that, Camryn. Only you can decide that someone’
s worth the risk.”
“Don’t you see? That’s not what I’m afraid of.”
Mayson’s puzzled stare greeted her across the table. “What are you afraid of, then?”
“That someone won’t think I’m worth the risk.”
…
Her dinner with Mayson hadn’t given her any additional answers and by the next morning Camryn was more confused than ever. She did want to give Booth the benefit of the doubt. Wanted to believe he was different. He’d certainly stressed often enough he wasn’t like other men. And the time they’d spent together had reinforced that.
Perhaps this problem was coming at the right time. They weren’t fully committed to each other. She could see how he handled conflict and see if he would be the right person to invest her feelings in.
As if her feelings weren’t already invested to the hilt.
And that, Camryn knew, was the real crux of the problem. Despite her very best intentions to stay unaffected, she’d gone and fallen in love with the man. Where she’d expected the thought to blindside her, all she felt was a funny warmth that settled under her breastbone before spreading through her limbs.
She was in love.
Which was why Booth deserved the benefit of a conversation and not wild speculation.
The buzz of her phone startled her from her thoughts and she pulled her gaze off the e-mail she had in mid-draft on her computer screen. Her assistant’s name lit up the readout. “Yes, Amy?”
“The lobby just called up. West Harrison is here to see you. He’s not on your calendar. Do you want me to tell him you’re not here?”
All that delicious warmth faded at the news Booth’s father was here. “No, not at all. Send him up. And Amy?”
“Yes.”
“Please leave the door open after you drop him off.”
“Of course.”
Camryn dragged in a few deep breaths. There was only one reason West could possibly be in the offices and asking to see her. She toyed briefly with handling the meeting on her own before she thought better of it and grabbed her phone. The warm voice on the other end went a long way toward calming her racing pulse.
