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Did he think she couldn’t afford a gown or something? That she’d never been to a formal party? She may not have a bank account like his but, hell, who did? Besides, Elle couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t want her there. But she’d show him. Not only would she go to that party, but she’d look better than she ever had in her entire life.
“A gown from Milan? Oh, my God, you are like the coolest person I know. I must raid your closet immediately.”
Elle smiled at Riley even as she watched Cam seething.
“My mother’s parties are overrated. Trust me,” he said through clenched teeth.
Enough was enough. She was tired, a little overwhelmed and greatly annoyed. She stood and turned to Cam. Trying to get up in his face proved difficult, considering her five feet six inches didn’t come close to his height. Still, she tilted her chin up and pegged him with her most intimidating stare.
“Maybe I should come to that conclusion myself.”
Riley stayed silent as she watched the two of them from the table with an interested look on her face.
“It’s not going to go the way you want,” Cam said quietly, so only she could hear.
“What way is that, exactly?”
He looked as if he wanted to say something. His mouth even opened slightly, but no words came out. Elle could practically see the wheels churning in his brain.
“Jasper,” he whispered, his eyes glued to hers.
Just as she’d suspected. Even Cam thought she would still make a fool out of herself over his brother.
It hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours since she’d returned and she already felt like a total outcast. Stupidly, she’d thought a full decade away would have given everyone ample time to forget about that one little moment when she’d lost her mind.
Her cheeks felt warm as she tried to hold the embarrassment at bay. She wanted to yell at Cam, tell him she wasn’t some girl obsessed with her high school crush. Truthfully, she didn’t know how she’d feel seeing Jasper again. Her stomach tightened at the thought of it. But she was back in Bayside, so she knew it would happen eventually. What did Cam think? She would see his brother and throw herself at his feet?
How many other people would assume the same?
Beyond frustrated with Cam and his presumptions, she gathered her things and nodded to Riley. Then she narrowed her eyes at Cam. “I wouldn’t miss this party for anything in the world, Cameron Dumont.”
With that, she pushed open the door with all the dignity she could muster.
Chapter Three (#u5bc3d168-bb08-55db-b658-18af95b21a36)
Bayside Blogger @BSBlogger
First nugget of the day. Ellie Owens in @TheBrewside, a certain yummy recluse antagonizing her until she fled the scene...
“Elle, wait up!” Cam called as he rushed out of The Brewside. It had taken him one whole second to realize he’d really hurt her feelings.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want Elle to come tomorrow night. It was more that he didn’t want her to become upset at the party when the local gossips would no doubt descend on her like a scene from Hitchcock’s The Birds.
And dammit, he knew she’d changed. Jasper had changed, too. But the rest of Bayside? Still the same. That was the problem.
Bayside was his home and he loved it. But that didn’t mean he was oblivious to the inherent small-town quirks—like gossip, clinging to the past and more gossip.
Elle and Jasper in the same room with the entire town watching was a recipe for disaster.
But at the moment, Cam needed to find Elle and explain. Or at the very least, apologize. He spotted her light brown hair blowing in the soft breeze coming off the water. She was halfway across the square. He rushed in that direction.
“Elle, hang on.”
“I’m done talking to you.” She kept walking.
Finally close enough to stop her, Cam reached for her arm. He grabbed hold for a second before she shook him off and turned around to face him. “What is your problem?”
“I only wanted to say...”
“What?” she snapped.
“I’m sorry.”
“Well—oh.”
By the way she blinked multiple times in rapid succession without any words coming out of her mouth, he’d obviously taken her by surprise. She started biting her lip, and then squinted up at him.
“I think you got the wrong impression back there,” he said. “My parents’ parties...” He threw his hands up in the air. “They are... I mean, it’s just that the people that go... I really don’t...”
Her face fell and she shrugged. “I get it. You don’t want me there. You think I’ll make a scene and ruin the event. Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“No.”
“Then what?” she asked.
“I hate those parties.”
There, he’d said it out loud. He’d never really told anyone that before, although he was sure many people assumed as much. After all, a surly guy hanging out in the corner, downing beer instead of expensive, imported champagne, and talking to as few people as possible, might give off the impression he wasn’t the party-loving animal the rest of the Dumonts were. He felt almost guilty admitting that. Like he was betraying his family, and hadn’t he already done that when he’d shirked his birthright and started his own company?
“You hate the parties? Really?” She emitted a little laugh.
“Why are you laughing?”
“It’s funny. Unless they’ve drastically changed, your parents’ parties are supposed to rival...” she tapped a finger against her lips, pausing in thought “...Oscar parties, inaugural balls, royal weddings.”
His turn to laugh. “Can’t say I know about any of those things. Listen, I don’t think you’d make a scene tomorrow, although to be honest, it would be a hell of a lot more fun if you did.”
“Cam.” She rolled her eyes, but was smiling as she did so.
She had a nice smile. Really nice, he noticed. It brightened up her face and brought out those adorable dimples in her cheeks.
And the sun was catching her hair, casting a golden hue on the brown tresses.
“Cam,” she repeated. “Tell me the real reason you don’t want me to come to the party.”
He looked around the square, at the stores that hadn’t yet opened for the day. Some wouldn’t open at all, their owners here only for the busy summer tourist season. In the distance, he could hear the squawking of gulls as a fishing boat no doubt returned to the bay.
Bayside was home. It always would be. There was something comforting about that.
“You know,” he said, gesturing vaguely. “Some things have changed around here since you left. But others, not so much.”
Elle nodded even as she narrowed her eyes. “That’s kind of the way of the world.”
“One of the things that changed... I mean, you really should know something.” He wasn’t doing this right.
“What is it?”
He studied her face for a long moment before running a hand through his hair. “Nothing. Never mind.”
“You sure?”
He decided to avoid her question and change the subject instead. “So, do you really have some fancy dress from Milan?”
Elle smiled. “I don’t know about fancy. I was going more for sophisticated. But yes, I have a dress from Milan.”
“Did you go there often?”
She bit her lip, considering. “I went every so often. What I really loved was taking weekend trips to Southern Italy. Naples has the best food.”
Cam found himself genuinely interested. How could he not be when she became so animated talking about a country that she clearly loved. Her eyes were practically sparkling.
“I thought all of the food in Italy was amazing,” he offered.
She licked her lips, an enticing gesture that drew his gaze right to her.
“Oh, it is. Trust me. There’s no salt in the food in Tuscany, which takes some getting used to. But once you do...” She kissed her fingers. “Molto bene. Delizioso.”
There was something really appealing about this woman. It went beyond her looks, which were obviously stunning. But something else drew him to her.
“Of course, the wine is insane. Chianti was a personal favorite. And don’t even get me started on the gelato.” She winked at him. “I’m really going to miss that.”
“I’ve seen gelato here,” Cam said.
Her face fell. “It won’t be the same.”
“Hey,” he said, reaching out and touching her arm. “You sure you’re okay being back here?”
She glanced around the square, a million thoughts crossing her face. She let out a long sigh.
“Elle?” he prompted.
“I will be fine. I know it. I’ve missed it here.”
“But you’re going to miss Italy, too.” He said it rather than asked it because it was so clear she was struggling with this move.
Cam rolled back on his heels as he studied her. She had really beautiful eyes. They were so expressive, yet inquisitive. He bet she didn’t miss much. Including her father’s recent health scare. Cam had to hand it to her. She could have come back for a short visit. Instead, she’d dropped her life, all the things she adored, to return to Bayside.
She gave up her life for her dad. It caused a pit to form in his stomach. She’d run toward her family while he’d run from his and everything they offered.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked. Cam had been right. She was perceptive.
Without overthinking it, he said, “You’re pretty amazing, Elle.”
Those fabulous eyes widened. “Thank you...Jasper.”
Momentarily confused, Cam realized that Elle was looking over his shoulder. Turning, he saw his brother strolling from his car toward The Brewside.
Jasper turned in their direction and gave a small wave to Cam, before he took in Elle.
Could he be more obvious about giving her a long once-over?
Once he’d assessed Elle, he quickly switched courses and headed their way.
“Good morning,” he called.
“Hey, Jasp, what are you doing in town? Shouldn’t you be at the office already?”
Cam really didn’t care about the answer to that question. He was too busy watching Elle for her reaction. She was smiling as she noted his brother approaching.
“I have an off-site meeting first. Cam, why don’t you introduce me to your lovely friend.” Jasper didn’t so much as look toward him as he said this. Instead, he sidled up to Elle and offered her a hand.
Cam shoved his own hands in his pockets. “You already know her.”
But Jasper was shaking her hand, anyway. “I’m only kidding. How could I ever forget someone as beautiful as Ellie Owens?”
Elle pulled her hand out of Jasper’s grasp. “Wow, so early for such a cheesy line.”
Score one for her.
Undeterred and offering Elle what Cam liked to call “Jasper’s megawatt smile,” his brother leaned closer and put a hand over his heart as if it was breaking. “Ouch. But you are beautiful.”
Elle leaned in as well and winked at him. “But I didn’t used to be. In fact, the last time you saw me I probably looked quite different. That can only mean that someone told you I’d returned.”
A crease formed on Jasper’s brow. “Maybe I just remember you.”
“Hmm, perhaps,” Elle said with a coy smile. “Although I think you’ve taken me in longer this morning than you did in all our years of high school.”
It wasn’t often a female addled Jasper’s brain, and Cam was enjoying it.
“I was an idiot in high school,” his brother said, stepping forward again. Taking her hand once more, he added, “Forgive me?” with another Jasper smile.
Elle tilted her head before removing her hand yet again. “It’s fine.”
Shifting uncomfortably, Cam eventually elbowed his brother in the ribs.
“Ow.” Shaking him off, Jasper returned his attention to Elle. “How long are you back in town?”
“I’m not sure, actually.” She chewed on her lip. “I just got back from Florence yesterday.”
