The One I Need

Rising, June grabbed another glass, splashed some wine in it, then handed it to Cameron. She sat back down and waited.

After taking a gulp of wine, Cameron set down the glass. Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on his thighs. “June Parker.”

Something in the way he said her name had her heart rate quickening.

“What is it you know?” she asked, her eyes never leaving his face. “Or, what is it you think you know?”

“I know that you interned for my grandmother when you were between jobs, that you approached her at a seminar where she was the keynote and struck up a conversation.” He cocked his head. “What I don’t know is if you saw getting friendly with her as a way to get to me.”

“I would never use Hal that way,” she snapped. There were few people in the world June respected more than Halcion Driskill. Not that she could explain that to Cameron. If he needed to ask if she had used his grandmother, then Hal clearly hadn’t told him their story, which meant June couldn’t either. “What’s between Hal and me is between Hal and me. Besides, you were in France at the time, and I didn’t even have the list of party attendees then.”

“That’s what she said.”

Surprise had June’s eyes growing wide. “You spoke with Hal? About me?”

“I did.” Cameron took another drink of wine. “Gran said she mentored you when you were between jobs, and a bond formed. She really likes you.”

“I like her, too. And what she told you is exactly what happened. She knew about my sister’s accident because our conversations weren’t only about business.” June wanted to make sure that was clear. “She knew you were on the party guest list, because that was another piece of information that I shared with her once I received it. She assured me that whenever I finally spoke with you, I would find that you were an honorable person.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you knew my grandmother?” Confusion blanketed Cameron’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me about Aubrey from the beginning? Why the secrecy?”

“It wasn’t secrecy—” When he opened his mouth, she held up her hand. “I planned to tell you. I planned to find you in Paris and ask what you knew. I admit that even with Hal’s endorsement, I wasn’t sure what kind of man I’d find. Would you be the honest, upstanding man she painted you to be, or a grown-up rich kid who got whatever he wanted?”

June was close enough to reach out and take Cameron’s hand, but she didn’t dare touch him. Instead, she looked deeply into his eyes.

“It took just one night for me to see the man Hal sees. You were warm and attentive. And I… Well, I was selfish.” June leaned back. “For so long, all I had thought about was Aubrey. I’d made my whole life about finding justice for her, hoping it would ease my mother’s pain. I didn’t really think you could be involved, but I still had to find out everything you knew. And I wanted to enjoy our time together a little longer. I knew if you said the name June Parker to any of your family, there would be an explosion that would likely end our friendship.”

“Because of the money.” Cameron’s penetrating gaze never left her face. “Because the family thinks you stole $20,000 from my grand—”

“Hal gave me the money. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t expect it. She gave it to me and insisted I take it.” June’s voice rose. She swept out an arm in a gesture of frustration, narrowly missing her glass. “Why is everyone so quick to judge?”

“By everyone, you’re referring to my family.” After a second, he added, “And me.”

“Yes.” June swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. She didn’t care what the rest of the Driskills thought of her. But Cameron’s opinion mattered. Still mattered, even though they were no longer together.

“Right before I left for France for my new job, Hal gave me the money.” June blew out a breath. “A month later, Hal texted me that the family had found out about the gift and was up in arms. I offered to give it back. She wouldn’t hear of it. She told me not to worry. It was her money, and she was free to dispense it as she pleased.”

“Why would she give $20,000 to someone she’d met less than three months before?”

“She wanted me to be able to afford a PI to help search for the person who ran down my sister.” June raked a hand through her hair. “I know your family thinks I coerced her, scammed her, whatever you want to call it. I didn’t. She had her reasons for giving me the money.” June clamped her mouth shut, fearing she’d already said too much.

“What reasons?” Cameron pushed to his feet and began to pace the small room.

“You spoke with her.” June kept her tone even. “What did she tell you?”

“The same as what you’ve said.” Frustration laced his words. “But not why she felt compelled to give you that much money.” He whirled. “Tell me the reason.”

“It’s not for me to say.”

“Dammit, June, I’m trying to make sense of all this.” He blew out a breath. “Can’t you help me out here?”

Rising, June moved to Cameron and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I made a promise to Hal, and I won’t break it. Not after everything she’s done for me. Not even for you. If you want answers to why your grandmother did something, the best person to ask is her.”

“I did ask. She said it was personal, and I needed to respect her privacy. Which I do.” His gaze never wavered. “Except by not telling any of the family, she’s put you in a bad light.”

“I don’t care.” June paused, then reconsidered her words. “Well, actually, I don’t like anyone thinking badly of me. I especially don’t want you thinking I’m some sort of scam artist.”

“I could never think that of you. I just—”