“The New Yorker,” he replied with a smirk. A too-charming grin that reached his eyes and crinkled the corners. “Camden was happy when he told me you’d RSVP’d for the barbecue tonight.”

That didn’t really compute. I didn’t know why Camden would be happy about that.

It sounded like confirmation about him attending tonight, though. Even though they were married and lived together, this was King’s event, and I wasn’t assuming I’d meet Camden too. Especially not since they appeared to make it a habit to keep things separate.

I didn’t know how to respond, and luckily I didn’t have to. King excused himself and retrieved his phone from his pockets; it must’ve been set to vibrate.

“I’m almost home, darlin’,” he said to…Camden, probably. “Seven, like you said.”

While he was distracted, I couldn’t not take the opportunity to memorize his features. He had more silver in his hair than I’d anticipated. Maybe the lighting in the videos changed the color. It made me wonder how old he was. His Wikipedia page didn’t actually reveal his age, but I’d guessed late forties, early fifties.

I stubbed out my smoke and put it into my pack.

August and Camden were discussing ingredients, perhaps for the barbecue tonight, and there seemed to be an issue about the number of something.

“There’s no need for that,” he said in a reassuring tone. “I’ll make kabobs instead.” He paused and quirked a grin my way. “Yup, I’ll be home in a minute. I stumbled upon a New Yorker at the gate.”

I felt my forehead crease with bewilderment. Was I missing some inside joke here? ’Cause that’s what it sounded like.

King relayed what I’d said, about driving by to make sure I knew the location, and then Camden must’ve interrupted King, who laughed and scratched his car key against his eyebrow.

“I had a feelin’ you’d react that way. I’ll ask him,” he responded. “See you soon.”

Impatience surged forward within me, and I folded my arms over my chest.

I was definitely missing something.

“Apologies for that.” He pocketed his phone again. “If you don’t have any plans right now, Camden would love to meet you.” He smiled faintly at my evident confusion. “He picked the winners and became an admirer of yours after checking out your account.”

I had to look like a fucking question mark, but it didn’t seem like I was gonna get any further clarification.

Maybe Camden wanted to learn how to play the guitar or something. It was the only reasonable explanation.

“I don’t have any plans.” I shrugged with one shoulder.

“Great.” He gestured past the gate. “Just follow me.”

Not for the first time lately, I wondered what the hell I was doing.