The One I Need

CHAPTERSIX

Cameron studied his friend across the net. He and Anson were evenly matched in tennis, which was why they’d each won one game. Now, they were finishing game three, and it was match point.

He tossed the ball up straight in the air and changed his stance slightly for a flat serve. On the follow-through, Cameron pronated his wrist to avoid putting too much spin on the ball.

Anson was ready. No surprise there. They volleyed fast and furious on the grass court before Anson’s shot hit the net.

Satisfaction surged as Cameron loped to the net and shook Anson’s hand. “Good match.”

“I thought that time in Paris might have made you soft.” Anson grinned. “Appears I was wrong.”

“They have courts there, too,” Cameron reminded his friend.

Cameron followed Anson to the sidelines, where Anson scooped up his phone from a chair.

“I’m married to mine, too,” Cameron told him.

Anson chuckled. “My campaign manager has this thing about staying connected.”

His friend hadn’t changed much in all these years. His eyes, a clear penetrating green, still sparkled with mischief, and his brown hair was as messy as ever. Except nowadays, Cameron suspected that the disheveled look cost him several hundred dollars at one of the best hair salons in Denver.

“Do you have time for a quick drink?” Cameron asked.

Anson cast a brief look at the phone he’d just turned on. “Sure.”

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to speak with you about.”

Anson slanted a sideways glance at him, his gaze turning wary. “What about specifically?”

Cameron gestured with his head toward a group of tennis players nearby. “Once we’re alone.”

Wanting to be alone was why Cameron chose a table on the back patio away from other tables and then waited to bring up what was on his mind until the server had dropped off their drinks.

“Your sister and I are just friends,” Anson began.

“This isn’t about Eve.” Cameron waved a dismissive hand. “What goes on between you and my sister is your business.”

Cameron knew the kind of man his friend was, knew he would never mistreat Eve, so he felt safe steering clear.

“Then what?” Anson took a sip of club soda.

Before Anson could reply, two women paused tableside. The one who looked vaguely familiar to Cameron fixed her gaze on Anson. “I told Lenox I thought that was you.” Lenox then shifted her gaze to Cameron. “Hey, Cameron, I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“He’s been out of the country,” the other woman, a blonde, replied, shooting Cameron a friendly smile.

Anson introduced Cameron to the two women and during the introductions he learned their names were Lenox and Courtney.

“I heard you’re running for city council,” Lenox continued, returning her attention to Anson. “I want you to know you have my vote.”

Anson responded with an easy smile. “I appreciate it.”

When he saw the women eyeing the empty chairs at the table, Cameron spoke. “I’d ask you to join us, but we have business to discuss.”

“Another time.” Lenox’s smile didn’t waver.

Courtney wiggled her fingers. “Later.”

When the two sauntered off, hips swaying gently from side to side, Cameron sat back in his seat. “They looked familiar.”