“Are they close?”
The simplest thing to do would be to say yes. But even when she’d been young, June had never been one to lie. The fact that she was lying by omission to Cameron right now weighed heavily on her. She would not add more to the load she already carried.
“I’m not sure.” At his questioning look, June continued. “My mother has lived next door to Margie for years. They get together to gossip over iced tea or coffee.”
“Sounds like a friend.”
“On the surface. But shouldn’t a true friendship go deeper than complaining about a neighbor’s dog and the kid from around the corner who rides his minibike down the sidewalk?”
“I see what you’re getting at.” Cameron’s gaze turned thoughtful. “You don’t believe your mother and this… Margie, is it?”
June nodded.
“You don’t believe they discuss anything substantive?”
“I know they don’t. When my sister died—” June clamped her mouth shut. Dear God, where was she going with this?
Sympathy blanketed Cameron’s face. “I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. Did she pass away recently?”
“It was a long time ago, back when I was in high school.” June spoke quickly, not giving him a chance to ask questions. “The reason I brought it up was, when Margie came over after the funeral, my mom wouldn’t even say my sister’s name to her.”
“Do you think maybe that has changed? I’ve never lost anyone close, but I can see how it might be too painful to speak of a loved one in the immediate aftermath of their loss.” His blue eyes remained fixed on her face. “Perhaps she’s more open with her friends now.”
“Maybe. I hope so, but…” June sighed. “She keeps everything bottled up inside. Even from me. I just wish I could give her some peace.”
“If you ever need anyone to talk to, I hope you know I’m here for you.”
Gazing into his blue eyes, June knew this was her chance to ask him about the party and his friends. But this time together had made her realize how very much she’d missed Cameron since Paris. More than she’d let herself believe.
“Unless there’s someone else that you’re sharing things with?” Cameron’s questioning gaze met hers.
The excitement that surged from the realization that he appeared to be as interested in her as she was in him was tinged with guilt that she had an agenda he knew nothing about.
June shook her head. “I was in Paris until last month.”
“You’re an attractive, interesting woman.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “You’ve been back long enough to capture some man’s heart.”
Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “I’ve been too busy to do much capturing.”
“That’s good news.”
She cocked her head.
Reaching across the table, Cameron took her hand, his fingers playing with hers. “It appears we’re both free to do this again.”