Chapter 24 #2
We don’t go out much, unless Whispering Tide counts. Honestly, it’s refreshing. I don’t need a man to impress me with fancy dates and shiny new things. What Cameron and I have is exactly the life I’ve always pictured. Living on the beach in a beautiful place adds to the exuberance of it all.
I never want to leave.
Unfortunately, the day has come for me to pack up and head back to reality. This time, Cameron’s coming with me. For a quick trip to see what my life’s like.
Our relationship is new, we’re still finding our way, and for us, we have the distance to figure out.
Though if he asked me to move to Magnolia Cay, I’d have a hard time turning him down.
I enjoy my space and life in Georgia, but I can see myself living here permanently.
I’d be trading one sibling for another, but Elisa has had her time.
It’s Preston’s turn. I have no delusions I’d actually see him more, but knowing he’s only down the beach—because he spends more time at Whispering Tide than Cameron—gives me hope we’d find some kind of coexistence in the same vicinity.
As much as I think Cameron would let me stay, I don’t want to get ahead of myself and be presumptuous and say I’m moving in.
We’re still in the honeymoon phase of this relationship. I don’t want to send either of us overboard with a premature decision on when the right time to move here is.
“Mom and Dad want to have dinner while you’re here. At their house.” I toss out the comment nonchalantly as we ride to my condo from the airport.
“Okay, sure. They know about us?” He’s got my hand loosely in his, his fingers drawing designs on my palm.
“I up and ran off to paradise for three weeks. Did you think I didn’t tell them what was going on?” I’m not sure I do a good job of keeping the snark out of my tone.
“Truthfully, hadn’t thought about it. With my parents being so far away and me never going home, much of my life doesn’t get shared.”
His honesty floors me. I’m not sure how I feel about his comment.
“Oh. That makes sense.” I attempt to keep it nonchalant, not laced with my opinion, but it falls short.
He squeezes my hand. “I get the sense that was the wrong answer.”
“I’m not here to judge.”
“But you are anyway.”
When he puts it like that, I can’t deny it.
“I’m not trying to judge. Every family is unique.” There’s more I want to add, but I bite my tongue. This seems like a stupid argument. Especially for our first.
“You can’t take this personally, Jude. I don’t talk to my family regularly. It’s not what we do. I can’t remember the last time we spoke. Well before your first trip to Whispering Tide.”
“Does that bother you?”
It would bother me. Probably why I only left the state for college. If or when I move to be with Cameron, it’s not that far. A short plane ride away.
He blows out a breath. “On the rare occasion, but it’s not like I call them either. I text with my brothers at least once a week, but it’s stupid shit. Our conversations never go deep. It’s the way our family is.”
I squirm in my seat, the conversation making me a little uncomfortable. “When was the last time you were home?”
“It’s been years. They all came down for the grand opening weekend. Their trip was comped, but Mom felt out of place. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment for me, but she almost didn’t enjoy herself.”
“How could you not?” Once I hear the words, I realize how they sound. “Sorry. It’s so . . . wonderful.”
“I love how you appreciate it. It’s not for everyone. People who aren’t used to traveling like that. It’s . . . a lot. Overwhelming. Made her feel worse.” A dejectedness I’m not used to with Cameron fills his voice, and my heart stings.
“I’m sorry I brought it up. Seems like a sore subject for you.”
We’re almost at my condo, and the rest of the ride is silent. It’s not until we’re inside the door and he’s looking around, taking it all in, does he address my comment.
“We’re from different worlds, Juli. I’ve been given this opportunity to work at a place that never feels like work.
I’m greeted with waves crashing against the shore every morning, where sunsets dazzle every night.
It took me a solid year to truly accept the gift I’d been given, but there’s a small part of me that wonders if I truly belong there.
Because a kid like me, from the poor side of town, doesn’t deserve an opportunity to surf when the ocean beckons, to hobnob with the likes of the wealthy, hell, to date a girl who should be pampered with every luxury money can buy.
” I start to interrupt him, but he cuts me off.
He steps closer to me. “I don’t deserve you, Juliana.
But like my stake in Whispering Tide, I’m grateful for the opportunity.
And I don’t take the responsibility lightly. ”
“You may not think you deserve either, but you do. There’s no one in this world who deserves it more.” I crowd his space, needing to be closer to him, to make sure he understands. His fingers tuck wayward strands of hair out of my face, leaving heat in every place he touches.
The conversation too much for him, he steps back, his eyes surveying the room again. “I want a thorough tour, ending in your bedroom. Invite me into your world.”
“Pretty sure you’ve been there since we were teens,” I mumble under my breath.