CREE by LaShawn Vasser Read Free Book Online Page B

ebony hair, Cree almost lost it. However, she didn’t want to embarrass Cameron in front of his friends and co-workers. Instead, she would play it cool for now.
    Delia was just beaming as she brought Cameron over to her parents. “Mom and dad, you remember Cameron right?”
    Her father smiled. “Yes, of course. It’s good to see you again.” He stuck out his hand, and Cameron shook it.
    “You too, sir.”
    Delia couldn’t seem to knock that silly grin from her face. “Mom, you remember Cameron too?”
    Her mother smiled broadly as well. “Of course I do. How could I forget such a handsome face?”
    The compliments embarrassed him. “Thank you, ma’am.”
    Mrs. Thornton lightly touched his arm. The one that didn’t still have Delia attached to it. “Please, I’m too young for that. Call me Maria.”
    Cree was feeling more and more invisible and angry. She cleared her throat hoping to get Cameron’s attention. As if he’d forgotten that she’d been patiently standing there, he quickly stepped out of the semi-circle of Delia and her parents and guided her by the small of her back closer to them.
    “I’m sorry, please let me introduce you to my wife, Cree. Cree, this is Delia’s parent’s Maria and Brett Thornton.”
    She had never been good at masking her emotions, and she probably wasn’t going to be successful this time either. However, Cree managed to stretch her lips upward forcing a smile to form on her face. Her voice didn’t come out stiff or warm; it was even. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
    Delia’s mother appeared genuinely surprised. Cree wasn’t sure if it was because she seemed to be the only one in the room with mocha skin and big springy-coily hair, or if it was because Cameron was married.
    Cree was used to people being shocked when Cameron introduced her as his wife because he could easily pass for a Hollywood leading man with his sexy lips, dirty blond hair, and blue eyes. She wasn’t, however, used to people not knowing that he had a wife. Especially, people he called friends . Hopefully, that wasn’t the case.
    Looking between Cree and Cameron, Maria Thornton asked, “My goodness, I had no idea you were married. Did this happen recently?”
    Her heart almost stopped. Although the seed of doubt had been planted in the back of her mind, Cree never actually thought Cameron wouldn’t tell his friends about her.
    He could feel her eyes burning a hole into the side of his head. He knew how bad this looked, but he would explain when they got home.
    Cameron turned an interesting shade of red. “Actually, we’re high-school sweethearts.” He tried to pull her to his side, but Cree wouldn’t budge, “We’ll be celebrating our sixth year of marriage in a few months.”
    Mr. Thornton’s voice rang out. “We’ve known you for almost four years and in all that time…” As if he realized what he was about to say he stopped. “I…well…I’m sure I just forgot.” At least he had the decency to remember she was still standing there. Could this night get any worse? She didn’t want to even look at him.
    Cameron tried to smooth it over by explaining. “Cree only recently relocated to New York once I accepted the position at Presbyterian.” He turned to her. “Mr. Thornton was pretty instrumental in helping me get that residency.”
    Upset didn’t even begin to explain how she was feeling. Cree looked him in the eye. “I know how very important that was for you.” He didn’t miss the iciness in her tone. She turned to face Delia’s father. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Cameron.”
    “Delia sings his praises all the time.”
    “I bet she does.” Cree couldn’t help thinking. She didn’t typically consider herself the jealous type, but she couldn’t ignore the red flags.
    Mr. Thornton tapped Cameron on the shoulder. “Well, he shows great promise. This one here is going to be a fantastic doctor. Presbyterian is lucky to have him.” He looked