after this night (camren)

21. Lauren

And that always counted for something.

......

"How much do I bring to the game?"

I glanced up from the check, shooting Lucy a quizzical look, "The game?"

"Yes" she said emphatically, holding her hands out wide. We'd just finished lunch at Paty's on Toluca, in between our respective offices. I tossed my credit card on the table.

"Saturday night. Your game" she added.

"You don't usually come to poker" I said as the waiter scurried by with plates for another table.

"Am I not invited?" She crossed her arms.

"Of course you're invited, Lucy" I said, trying to settle her. I didn't want her to be irritated, but she seemed in a seesawing mood, "I was just surprised"

"Veronica invited me" she said, drumming her fingernails against the table as if she were trying to get my attention. But I was paying attention already.

"Oh yeah? You guys are a thing now?" I asked, though I knew the answer because Vero had called me a couple of weeks ago to make sure it was all right to as Lucy on a date. I had said yes in a heartbeat, and then had barely though about it afterward. I had a two-track mind these days - work and Camila.

"Sort of" she said with a shrug, as the waiter rushed over to the table.

"She's a nice girl. She'll treat you right" I said, handling the waiter the check and the credit card, "Thank you" I said to the waiter.

"She is a nice gitl, so when she asked me to come to the game I said yes" Lucy said, tapping the table once more. Then she took a deep breath, and spoke quickly, the words tumbling out, "And your lady friend is going to be there, right?"

"Yes, she'll be there. My lady friend" I said, sketching air quotes, "Her name's Camila"

Lucy only knew that Camila was coming to the game. She didn't know about Camila's financial troubles. None of my friends did, because it was no one's business.

"Camila" Lucy repeated, saying the name as if it had ten syllables and they all tasted bitter on her tongue, "So I can approve of her then" she said, changing her tone, seeming suddenly light.

"Sure" I said, going with it. Because, women? Who knew how to read them sometimes? And every now and then, Lucy was impossible to figure out, "I'm sure you'll approve"

"I need to make sure the two I care about choose the right women for them. I worried about Marcello. I worry about you" she said, reaching across the table to rest her hand on top of mine.

Ah, I got it now. I understood what was going on with her, "You don't have to worry about me, Lucy"

"But I do" she said, lowering her eyes.

"I know" I said, softly. She worried about a lot of things. It was her nature. She hated to see the people she loved get hurt. She'd been like that since her parents died, and I had wondered from time to time if she was trying to somehow prevent more hurt in the world. Odd for a shrink, but then I wasn't one to try to psychoanalyze anyone, "I know you worry. But I'm okay. You'll like Camila. I know you will"

"You think so?"

I nodded, "I do"

Something sad flashed in her eyes, "Do you ever think what would have happened if. . .?"

"If what?"

"If we'd. . ." she said, her voice trailing off as she gestured from me to her.

I raised an eyebrow. She couldn't possibly be referring to that kiss in college, could she? Nah. She must just be in one of those melancholy moods.

"If we'd have become something" she added.

"But we are something. We're friends" I said, reminding her of what she meant to me, "I can't imagine us not being friends"

"Right" she said, with a sharp nod as the waiter returned with my credit card, "I can't either" she added, and she sounded resolute.

Or, as if she were trying to seem resolute.

After I said goodbye to her and walked up Toluca, I mulled over her question. Why would she possibly want to know what could have been between us? The two of us being more than friends was the strangest notion to me. It was as if she'd suggested I start walking on my hands. It simply didn't make any sense.

But I had no more time to contemplate because when I returned to the office, Zayn was there with the Bainbridge's to review the details of their next film. I rolled up my sleeves and settled in for the afternoon, my focus only on my clients, giving them my absolute best because in another few hours, Camila would be in my house.