The Stubborn Suitor, Book 1 (The Stubborn Suitor #1)(11)

He slipped a hand around Maggie’s waist and smiled at her wickedly. Cami knew that her friend had always found Declan attractive, in a roguish sort of way. His sandy blond hair was perpetually in disarray, and his blue eyes were teasing and warm.

“So, ladies,” he began, “how are things at the hospital?”

“Things at the hospital are good,” Cami replied, seeing that her friend was getting just a little too intoxicated to answer the question. Maggie was grinning wide into Declan’s eyes.

“That’s good,” Declan responded, still smiling seductively at Maggie.

Cami couldn’t remember why Maggie had never developed a serious crush on the guy. He was warm and fun and very attractive. “How are things with…umm…what do you do again?” She was embarrassed she couldn’t recall what Declan did for living.

“Most of the time, he lives off his trust fund,” Preston offered with a smirk.

“That’s not true,” Declan responded. “I’m also an attorney at Creighton and Callahan. Perhaps you’ve heard of the firm? We represent Sacred Heart Hospital.”

“Yeah, I think I have,” Cami replied. She noticed that Maggie was eyeing Declan up and down, probably imagining him shirtless, given that the guys pecs were straining against his thin summer shirt.

Really, she thought, why hasn’t Maggie ever thought of Declan in any serious way?

Before she could think too much about it, however, a waitress came by with a tray full of champagne. Everyone grabbed a glass, and, as the woman turned to go, Cami watched Declan’s eyes follow her rear end while she made her way back towards the house.

That’s why she’s never developed a crush on Declan, she reminded herself. Maggie knows him well, she’s just too drunk right now to think straight. The guy flirted with practically anything with breasts. Every time Cami had been out with a group he was a part of, she’d watched him flirt with all the attractive girls. He was nothing but a playboy. As unobtrusively as possible, she moved away from Declan to stand closer to Maggie, hoping to maybe rescue her soon.

“Speaking of the hospital,” Preston said, turning to talk to the two girls. “I have a question.”

“What?” Maggie asked, eyeing him with suspicion.

“You know my car accident a few months ago?”

Cami didn’t know that Preston had been in an accident, but Maggie nodded.

“How are you?” she asked, finally looking away from Declan.

“Oh, I’m fine now,” he brushed the question off. “I was sent to Sacred Heart but neither of you fine ladies were there to take care of me. Instead, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen stitched me up. Not that you two aren’t beautiful, but this woman was a goddess. She had the most beautiful skin and dark hair. Big, full lips. Man, she was gorgeous.”

Cami immediately recognized that he was describing Ashley. But Ashley had recently come out of a disastrous marriage to a husband who constantly cheated on her. If Preston was anything like Declan—and Cami was pretty sure that he was—then Ashley would be much better off if Preston never knew her name.


Maggie seemed to be on the same page, as she looked at Cami with a knowing smirk and winked.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Maggie said to Preston, completely straight-faced.

“Liar,” Preston accused. He then turned towards Cami, a sad, pleading look on his handsome face. “Come on, Cami. You have to help me out. Just give me a name.”

“Don’t you work for the hospital?” Cami asked, remembering that Grant had mentioned it the first time she and Preston had been introduced.

“I’m on the board. That’s not at all the same. I don’t have access to the employee files.”

“I’m not suggesting that you look up her file,” Cami responded, shocked at his assumption. “I just meant… can’t you go in to the ER and ask for her again?”

“Not without a name. Just give me a name,” he begged. “Just a name. That’s all I ask.”

“Nope,” both girls said in unison, then giggled at their identical responses.

Cami almost felt a little sorry. Preston didn’t seem like a bad guy. But all of the men at this party looked like they were too wealthy for their own good and were most likely playboys. Ashley deserved something serious if she were ever to get in another relationship. If Preston wasn’t serious enough to try finding her himself, he didn’t deserve a chance with her.

Finally, Preston gave up and the conversation switched to something about ski resorts—a topic Cami had absolutely no opinion on. She was staring off into the sea when Declan stepped up behind her.

“How about the two of us go for a walk?” he asked.

“How about not?” Cami responded, surprised. Mere moments ago the man had his arm wrapped around Maggie’s waist.

“I only wanted to ask you why your BFF won’t talk to me or ever take my calls, but I guess I’ll leave you to your negative thoughts.” Declan looked like a kicked puppy for a moment, and Cami immediately felt bad. He was probably a little drunk and just felt lonely. And Maggie did just brush him off unceremoniously just a few seconds ago. But then Cami remembered his roving eyes.

“Why don’t you go ask that waitress to take a walk with you?”