Chapter 30 #2
“I know, okay…I know.” His tone says he’s done with this conversation both emotionally and physically, so I drop it and glance toward the bar where Rosalie and Kara are giving Elodie quick hugs goodbye.
“I really like her, Cam. She brings out a contentment and optimism in you I haven’t seen in a long time. I know you’ve been doing well over the past few years, but that hopefulness for the future has been missing. It’s good to see it back.”
I turn back to him with a genuine smile.
Well, shit. I can’t be mad at him after that declaration.
“Thanks, Beck. She makes me happy, really fucking happy.”
“That’s all I can ask for, and I know it’s what Julianne would want for you, too.”
Even though it’s not as fresh, I feel a tiny twinge in my heart at the mention of my late wife.
Up until now, I haven’t had any feelings of uncertainty about my relationship with Rosalie.
I’m open with her when she asks about Julianne, and I don’t shy away from bringing her up in conversations, so this feeling takes me by surprise.
I know it’s likely because I have both a piece of my past and present here with me in the restaurant, with Beck and Rosalie finally meeting, but the feeling still catches me off guard.
Beckett must read something on my face because he reaches across the table and puts his hand on my forearm, giving me a tight squeeze.
“She really would, Cam. She loved you so much and wanted nothing more for you than true happiness. She made it abundantly clear throughout your marriage, and she wouldn’t want anything different now that she’s gone.”
His voice breaks a little toward the end, and he abruptly pulls back his hand and looks down at his lap as Rosalie and Kara come back to the table.
I don’t miss the way Kara is shooting daggers at Beck, and while he may deserve it, I catch Rosalie’s eye with a pleading look that begs her to cut him some slack.
Beck clears his throat and wipes his hands on his napkin before gathering his things. I can tell he needs to escape. Losing Julianne wrecked him in a different way, and I know that simple exchange took him back to a darker place.
When he looks up, the mask of my affable best friend is back in place. He stands and rounds the table, stopping between Rosalie and me, and I rise to give him a hug.
“Thanks for coming out tonight,” I say as we pull away from each other.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and sorry things got a little contentious there for a minute.
” He says the last part turning more toward Rosalie than me, before placing his hand on her elbow.
“And Rosalie, it was so great to meet you. This guy has called at least once a week since meeting you to get dating advice, so I’m glad to see it’s working.
I mean, you’re basically dating me, so if you want to… ”
“All right, buddy,” I say, emphasizing the last word. “You can remove your hand from my girlfriend and be on your way out the door.”
He laughs, releasing Rosalie.
“In all honesty, it’s nice to see Cam so happy, and it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“It was nice to meet you, too,” she says, standing and wrapping her arms around my waist, my arm going around her shoulder to tuck her in tight.
The ease of this action, the rightness of the way Rosalie feels next to me, has my earlier hesitations falling away. Beck’s right, Julianne would want me to be happy.
“Maybe I can watch the girls sometime while you guys go out for longer than two hours on a weeknight.”
She looks up at me and smiles widely, then she looks back at him.
“Yeah, I think that would be great.”
I can tell Beck is still a little off and his mask is slipping, so I unwrap myself from Rosalie before bringing him back in for one more hug.
“Thanks, man, I really appreciate you coming out tonight and being so welcoming of Rosalie. I’ll call you later to check in.”
“You don’t have to do that, Cam.”
“But I will.” I give him a slap on the back and let him go.
He turns to wave at the others before reaching over to gently squeeze Rosalie’s arm. “It really was such a pleasure to meet you.” And, with that, he sets off for the door.
“Is everything okay with Beck?”
Rosalie’s perceptive nature doesn’t surprise me.
“Yeah, he just has work tomorrow and still has to drive back to Carlsburg.”
“Oh, that’s right. I completely forgot he didn’t live here in Winhaven.”
Rosalie seems content with this answer, and I inwardly sigh when she doesn’t push the conversation any further. It’s not my place to share Beck’s struggles; it’s his story to tell.
I look down at my watch and realize it’s time for us to go. Turning back to the table, we say our goodbyes to the rest of our friends since they’re staying out for a bit longer before we head to the bar to close out our tab.
Rosalie reaches for my hand as we leave the pub, interlacing our fingers as we walk to the car.
“I really like your friends.”
“They like you, too. I can tell. Especially Tom. I think you gained an infinite amount of admiration from him after the talented fingers comment.”
“I do love to make an impression,” she says, letting go of my hand to spin and face me, walking backward while giving me a theatrical set of jazz hands, an adorable smile, and a full body shimmy.
I can’t help myself. I lunge for her, hauling her up to my chest so we’re face-to-face. Her legs wrap around me as I carry her to the car. I feel light and filled with happiness I haven’t felt in years.
“You’re something else, Rosalie Whittington,” I murmur before fusing my lips to hers.
I catch her mid-smile, and I feel it against my lips before she kisses me back. I swear, it’s the best feeling in the world.