The Distance Between Us

told anyone in his family that I’m poorer than dirt? But if he had wouldn’t he try to cover up what Scarlett just said instead of sounding like he agrees with it?
    “Anyway, good to meet you, Caymen, but Bradley just walked in and I have to go.”
    We watch her walk away, and I wait for him to smooth things over now that she’s gone. Maybe say his cousin is a total stuck-up snob (which she obviously is). But he doesn’t. He offers me his elbow and says, “Let’s go sit.”
    He leads me straight toward Lucas and I say, “I thought Scarlett said we should avoid them.”
    “We can’t avoid them all night. It’s assigned seating and I’m hungry.”
    “Caymen,” Lucas says, standing and giving me a one-armed hug. “I didn’t think you were coming tonight. You thought you’d give boredom a try after all?”
    “Yeah, well . . .” I don’t even know what to say. I’m still in shock from what Xander and Scarlett just said.
    He gestures to a girl on his right. “This is Leah.” Leah doesn’t stand but smiles up at me.
    “Good to meet you.”
    Xander pulls out a chair for me and I sit numbly.
    “Where’s Samuel?” Xander asks, looking around. There are two name cards left at the now two empty seats.
    “He’s on his way.”
    Samuel arrives less than five minutes later, and like when Lucas and Xander saw each other at the airport, Xander and Samuel hug like they haven’t seen each other in ages. Lucas joins in. Next Samuel introduces his date and we exchange pleasantries.
    “Samuel,” Xander says, putting a hand on my lower back. “This is Caymen Meyers.”
    “ The Caymen Meyers?” He smiles big and I’m struck by how different each of the brothers looks. Xander definitely got his dad’s darker looks and the others look fairer, like their mom.
    “I’ve heard so much about you,” Samuel says.
    “I’m sorry.”
    We all sit down, and Samuel holds up his empty glass and gestures for a passing server who comes and fills it. “So, Caymen, you’re related to the Meyers of SCM Pharmacy?”
    I start to say no, but Xander beats me. “Yes, they’re her grandparents. They’re on the guest list tonight.” He looks around. “They haven’t arrived yet, but as soon as they do I will force Caymen to introduce me.”
    Samuel continues, “My dad has a lot of respect for your grandfather. He says any man who can turn a profit like that on mid-level stores must be a genius. I’d like to pick the brain of a shrewd businessman like him myself.”
    I’m too stunned to think. Is this why Xander’s family has been perfectly fine with me? He’s been pretending I’m rich?

Chapter 36

    “ I don’t have grandparents.”
    Lucas and Xander laugh then Lucas says, “She says things with such a straight face, how do you know when she’s joking or not, Xander?”
    “She’s always joking.”
    Samuel smiles and then says, “I hadn’t realized the Meyers had any relatives living around here until Xander told me.”
    Xander nods. “I didn’t realize either, but Grammy told me.”
    None of this made any sense. Mrs. Dalton must be confused. Why did she think I was related to these super rich Meyers people? Just because we had the same last name?
    I swallow hard and scan the tables around us. Then I eye the door, watching the people coming in. In a way I had been joking about not having grandparents. I do have them, two sets. I just don’t know them. My mom’s parents disowned her when she got pregnant with me, and my dad’s parents paid her to keep her mouth shut. I have the shrewdest grandparents in existence. Meyers is my mother’s last name, but it is a common one. My mom can’t possibly be related to the SCM Pharmacy Meyers. It’s just a coincidence. I stare at Mrs. Dalton from across the room. The sweet Mrs. Dalton smiles at me.
    Everyone at the table is looking at me, and I realize someone must’ve asked a question. A hand squeezes my knee and I jump. I look down and follow the path of the hand up to Xander’s shoulder and then to his concerned eyes. “Are you okay?” he asks.
    “No . . . yes . . . I just need to use the restroom.”
    “It’s through those doors and to the right.” He stands and points then kisses my cheek. “Don’t escape out the window or anything. We’re just about to get to the super boring part. You won’t want to miss it.”
    I try to laugh but nothing comes out. The bathroom is a welcome relief, and I shut myself into one of the stalls and try to wrap my