Chapter 8

"Hello Josh," came the sweet voice at the other end. It was Camille again. "How is my true love today?"

"What the hell do you want?" he sneered. Again she called without Victoria being in the office. She was in Houston for an audit and he was supposed to fly out to San Francisco himself with Jane and her team. Josh jokingly called the city 'The Gay Bay, '

"To hear how the man I love is doing. I get the feeling that you are ignoring me. It can't be true that you think you love another, do you?" she giggled.

"I don't think, I know," he replied to her foolish question. "Victoria and I are going to be married soon and if I have to, I'll get the courts to stop you from calling me altogether and not come within one hundred yards of me."

"Oh Josh," she said softly. "I love you so much. I'll guarantee right now that you will not marry Victoria, but me instead. You'll wake up one morning and see me laying next to you. Then you will be so happy because you will have me adoring you, loving you, worshipping you, and wanting you to give me your children so bad that you will be grateful to me."

"That's a laugh," he smirked.

"I know Victoria is out of town. Why can't we meet for dinner tonight?"

"Fuck no!" he got angrier.

"I'll make you a deal. You have dinner with me, I'll explain to you how much better if you choose me instead of Victoria and how you will be happier with me. If you don't agree, I'll never call or talk to you again. What do you say?"

"You will talk to me how better I'd be with you rather than Victoria and if I don't agree with you, you'll never bother me again?"

"That's my promise to you," Camille said in that lovely voice of hers.

"You're on!" Josh felt he was up to the challenge.

"I'll even pay for the dinner," she seemed delighted. "I'll pick you up at five."

"Deal!" Josh laughed and hung up.

The rest of the day flew by as Robin brought in his print outs. She was the cute petite girl he dreamed of when Yvonne was wicked and hated her daughter.

Right on time, Camille picked up Josh in her brand new gray Lexus. When Josh got in, the odor of the new car felt nice. Camille had her beautiful smile, red hair up to show off her long slim neck, and wore a form fitting black velvet dress that was full length. She had it inched up showing her high heels which cost as much as Victoria's shoes. She had on long diamond earrings, a neckless with a small talisman resting between the cleavage of her lush breasts.

"You're looking good," Josh gave her a compliment. He always did that with the women he dated. Sometimes it was a lie, sometimes it was the truth. As with Camille he was telling her the truth.

"Thank you," her smiled widened.

"Where we going?"

"To Chef Bordeaux's."

"I hear you have to have a month's reservation in advance to get in there."

"I have my connections," she said softly as she pulled into the rush hour traffice. "So how was work today?"

"Okay, you?"

"I don't work, silly," she laughed lightly. "I'm a wealthy girl."

"I thought you were working for IBM as some kind of an advisor."

"No! I just told you that because I didn't want you to think I was an idle girl. I spend a lot of my time at the opening and closing at the Chicago Board of Trade. I have to say I do very well in trading grains and commodities most of the time."

"Then why in the hell you chasing after me?" Josh asked. "You can get any guy you want. You're beautiful and rich. That's a great combination for someone like you. You don't want me. You could get lots of men who'd want you."

"That's because I've always loved you from middle school. Every girl in high school knew my severe crush on you."

"Yeah! Well I was kind of shy with girls back then."

"Yes you were," she laughed.

As soon as they walked in, they were met by Chef Bordeaux himself. His eyes brightened when they came through the door. To Josh, he was the spitting image of Chef Boyardee of those cans of cheap pasta.

"Ah Camille," he greeted her with a kiss on each cheek.

"Chef Bordeaux, I want you to meet a friend of mine, this is Joshua Howard."

"My pleasure, young man," he shook Josh's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Josh noticed the effeminate handshake from the man.

"Your usual booth awaits you," he led them over to a private table. He helped guide Camille into the booth and then left.

"Do you wish anything to drink?" the waiter asked.

"Martinis for two," Camille said. "Josh, have anything you wish."

"I'll have a porterhouse steak medium rare with baked potato, and poppyseed dressing on my salad."

"And I'll have the cold salmon with cucumber dressing and diet ranch on my salad. No potato for me." Camille ordered as she pulled out the amulet from between her breasts to allow it to lay on her beautiful gown.