Reynaud's Redemption, стр. 9

“What would I have done without you? You saved my life. At the very least, you saved my business. It is way too soon for us to take a loss like that.” He turned and faced the animal. “How did you become my best friend so quickly, Mel?”

The dog licked his face and Cameron smiled.

“Yeah, I know. You have no clue what I’m saying. It’s all right, Mel. Let’s just go to bed. My jaw hurts like hell and I’m ready to end this day.”

* * * *

Cameron stirred the sauce in the pan quickly. He dipped a small piece of bread into it then popped it into his mouth. With a satisfied grin, he turned the stove off and removed the pot from the burner to ensure the leftover heat didn’t burn it.

“Are you done yet? What the hell is taking so long?”

“I just turned the sauce off, Joe. I’m going to start bringing the food out now.”

“Well, hurry up, shit.”

Cameron pulled four plates from the cabinet. “All right, all right. Here, could you—?” He turned with the dishes outstretched only to see Joe’s back as he left the kitchen. “Okay. I guess not.”

Cameron put the plates, stemware and another bottle of red wine onto a tray and left the kitchen.

“Hi, guys, sorry dinner took so long.”

“It’s fine, Cameron. Sean and I were going to go out to dinner, but Joe insisted we come home with him and said you would make something. I didn’t realize he hadn’t even bothered to give you a heads up before showing up with extra mouths.”

Cam shifted a look to Joe as he set the table before them. “It’s all right. I always make too much for the two of us.”

“Brian’s right, Cameron. I mean, if you think about it, you put dinner together kind of fast,” Sean agreed. “So we should be thanking you, not complaining. It smells great.”

“It’s really no trouble. It gives me an opportunity to test the new sauce I’m perfecting on someone other than Joe. I’m using it on the roast pork loin tonight,” Cameron explained, pouring glasses of wine.

“Mmm, smells good and sounds good. My stomach is intrigued.” Sean rubbed his belly.

Cameron chuckled. “Okay, Sean. I’ll be right back with the food. Honey, can you finish pouring the wine?” he asked Joe, sliding a hand across his shoulder.

Cameron disappeared into the kitchen then returned quickly. Holding the tray against the table, he laid platters filled with sliced pork loin, steamed asparagus and cut red potatoes into the center of the table.

“Wow, everything looks great,” Sean said.

“You ain’t lying, baby. Cameron, you whipped this up in an hour and a half? That’s amazing,” Brian added.

Cameron smiled. He took his seat near Joe, and his guests lifted their glasses.

“To Cameron, for the fastest, most delicious-looking food ever prepared,” Brian toasted.

“I second that,” Sean said.”

Three glasses met in the air. The men turned to Joe, waiting for his glass to join theirs. Moments later, it did. Cameron took a drink to hide the color he knew had risen in his cheeks from the unfamiliar feeling of their praise. Hours later, alone in the kitchen, Cameron smiled as he thought of the evening.

“They’re gone,” Joe said, coming into the room.

“I like your friends. They seem like nice guys. I think they enjoyed the food too. I’m going to add the sauce to my recipe book for when I open my restaurant. I finally have it the way I want it,” Cameron chatted excitedly as he loaded the dishwasher.

“Yeah, I guess since Brian liked it, that makes it a keeper, huh?”

Still bent over, Cameron looked over his shoulder, his brows furrowed. “What?”

“You think because they liked your food it gave you the right to disrespect me?”

His confusion deepened. “Disrespect you? What are you talking about?”

Joe stepped closer. “You don’t think I saw how you were smiling and coming on to Brian?”

Cameron closed the dishwasher then faced Joe. “I wasn’t coming on to anyone. We were just talking…about food, something I actually know a thing or two about. You guys were talking about cars, engines and basketball most of the night. I don’t know anything about that stuff. When Sean asked me about the food, I could finally join the conversation.”

“Oh. So now you’re saying I don’t know flirting when I see it?”

Joe’s query had an angry edge. Cameron had heard the tone before—too many times. It always became a prelude to a fight—one that ultimately ended with Joe manhandling him in some way.

Cameron took a deep breath and spoke calmly. “I didn’t say that, Joe. All I am saying is we were talking about something I have knowledge about. It wasn’t just me and Brian talking. Sean was engaged in the conversation too. He asked all kinds of questions about my desserts so he can make some for Brian,” Cameron reminded him.

Joe moved closer. “So now you think I care about that shit.” Anger flashed in Joe’s eyes.

Cameron knew he couldn’t do anything to turn it off now. Joe wanted this fight. He’d drunk most of the wine at the dinner and even opened another bottle, drinking half of that one. Cameron knew he should just walk away. He only hoped Joe would let him.

“Joe, it’s late. Let’s just go to bed and talk about it in the morning.”

Cameron flipped the switch on the washer and tried to move past Joe, but unfortunately didn’t make it. Joe grabbed Cameron’s arm with one hand, yanking him backward against the nearby stove. With his other hand, he turned the knob swiftly and the fire came to life. Before Cameron could break free, Joe gripped his throat and forced his head down.

“Maybe I just need to show you that it’s a bad thing to flirt