“I really don’t think testing him like this is going to work,” Camilla said. “Why don’t you just ask how he feels about you?”
Sarah lowered her head, cheeks flushing even deeper. “I can’t bring myself to do that, Camilla. I want to get a sense of his attitude first. If he doesn’t turn me down, then maybe I’ll work up the courage. For now, help me pick the gift, please?”
Camilla knew there was no changing Sarah’s mind, so she gave in and helped her choose a royal blue tie. As they walked through the mall, Sarah kept snapping pictures, clearly texting someone, her face lighting up with a sweet smile every few seconds.
Camilla had a good guess who she was talking to.
After they picked out the tie, Sarah wanted to treat Camilla to dinner, but Camilla gently declined. She was thinking of Jasper and Lance waiting for her at home, and honestly, she wasn’t in the mood to linger.
At the entrance, just before they separated, Sarah pleaded again. “Camilla, please don’t tell Lance we hung out today. I’ve called him ‘big bro’ my whole life… if he finds out, he’ll want to get involved and it could totally mess up my confession.”
Camilla wasn’t the nosy type, but when she saw the worry in Sarah’s eyes, she couldn’t help but offer a little advice. “Sarah, I get that you really like him, but you should make sure he’s a good person before you take the next step. Does your family even know about this guy? Is he really trustworthy?”
Sarah nodded quickly. “You don’t have to worry. Except for Lance, all my family already knows. Plus, he and I have always been in the same circle. We practically grew up together. I know what I’m doing. I’m just afraid Lance will try to ruin things. Anyway, Tessa and the others are in on it. Just help me keep it from Lance for now, okay? When everything works out, I’ll tell him myself.”
Camilla thought about how protective Tessa was—she probably kept an eye on everything Sarah did. Since the family clearly already knew, Camilla felt there wasn’t anything for her to worry about.
She didn’t press the issue and said goodbye to Sarah.
The next few days, Sarah sent Camilla all kinds of messages, photos of men’s accessories, asking for advice and opinions.
Camilla heard that Sarah gave the tie as a gift, and from the way she talked, it seemed her relationship with the guy was moving forward.
Sarah could be a little clingy, but she wasn’t pushy or annoying. With her always reaching out, Camilla naturally kept in touch.
Just like that, a week flew by. One night, Sarah sent Camilla another picture.
She zoomed in, heart pounding, staring at that section of irregular links—each one had been uniquely shaped on purpose, to reflect Lance’s personality. She’d spent ages on it. There was no way someone else would go through all that trouble for a simple silver chain.
It was beyond doubt. The chain was the one she’d made for Lance.
Camilla tapped her phone, her mind racing. She wanted to ask who Sarah’s mystery man really was.
After deliberating for a long moment, she typed a message that was half joke, half genuine curiosity. “If you want me to say you two look good together, at least show me his face, right?”
Sarah, who always responded in seconds, was suddenly silent. Minutes passed. The screen stayed dark. It was like her message had vanished.
Camilla sat there with her phone in hand, thinking back to things Lance had said lately. She didn’t want to spiral into guesses and doubts, so she just dialed his number directly.
She needed to hear his voice—needed to ask, straight up, where he was and what he was doing.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance)