Chapter Thirty-Nine. Partners In Crime
Chapter Thirty-Nine
PARTNERS IN CRIME
After the sun set, the cake was served, and within two hours, the happy couple’s grand departure was celebrated with a sparkler send-off by their guests. Cory and Tabitha disappeared into a car, off to a fancy boutique hotel in one of the more luxurious beach towns on the Rhode Island coast.
With the couple gone, the guests left in staggered spurts, until only the staff remained with Danny and Cam.
Well, Drew and Morgan were there too, although Drew had decided to nap in a booth as they closed up, and Morgan was busy interrogating Esme about the care process of her many piercings as she boxed up unopened bottles of liquor.
Cam helped the serving staff clean up, only distracted whenever she watched Danny guide the rental company workers to the furniture for pickup.
Slowly but surely, the sand setup disappeared, until every last table, chair, centerpiece, and string light was packaged up and shipped away.
With the sand as clear as it was the day before, Danny did a loop, kicking it in search of any trash.
She followed him, studying his glowing skin, and exposed forearms, and how his dark hair fell into his eyes after the very long day. In the moonlight, he was unbearably handsome.
Cam had every intention of telling him as much.
“You did a great job tonight,” she said.
“It was a team effort. And I’m lucky Cory and Tabby had such a great wedding planner. Without Janice, I would’ve been beyond lost.”
“Does this mean Beau’s has officially entered the wedding game? Might be time for a legitimate website.”
He shrugged, ever the carefree Danny. “Maybe. This was a favor for a friend. A good test run, but technically, we lost money since I didn’t charge a venue fee. Which, I don’t mind. Not for Cory. But this would have to be sustainable to do again in the future.”
“I understand.” She linked their arms and guided him towards the water. “And I know you don’t like to hear it, but you’re really starting to sound like a true businessman.”
He winced, playing up his disgust. “Gross. I’ve fallen for the capitalist propaganda.”
“Maybe not. You keep the business afloat, you take care of your staff, and you make the locals and tourists happy. You’re investing in your community, your home.”
His gaze bounced between her and the ocean. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. I love this place.”
There was something about standing in the breeze with him, their feet in the sand, the waves crashing ashore …
She wanted it tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that.
“Danny.” As he turned to her, she said, “When I was a teenager, my dad used to joke that I was going to give myself stomach ulcers because of how much I worried. About important things, but about stupid things, too. I have spent so long letting my worries control me that I’ve become fearful.
And something I’ve always admired about you is that you’re fearless.
You’re not scared of anything, which allows you to follow your heart with everything you do. ”
She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling naked under his gaze.
“You told me you pitied us because of how we reacted to your choices. And you were right to, because people who are smart can still be so fucking stupid. Because what good is success or money or status if you’re unhappy?
I’ve been so unhappy, and it means I’ve wasted years surviving and not living.
“This summer is the first time I’ve felt alive since we were in school.
It’s been life-changing. And yeah, I love Beau’s, and the beach, and writing in my spare time, but the reason I can breathe again is you.
People describe awe-inspiring things as breathtaking, but I’ve never understood that.
Because the most incredible things in life are the ones that give us the will to live.
Danny, you aren’t breathtaking, you are life-giving.
You are rain in a heat wave. You are sunshine after—”
“Cam—” He took a step towards her, eyes wide and soft.
“No, wait,” she begged. “I’m not done.” Wiping her tears, she added, “You are the first person who has ever encouraged me to chase my dreams. Who’s told me it’s okay to take a break.
To do something stupid. To want something more.
It’s because of you that I finally feel brave enough to go after what I want. ”
She closed the space between them and took his hand.
“And what I want is a life spent creating, free of corporate bullshit. What I want is a group of ridiculous and wonderful best friends. But what I want more than anything is you. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
I don’t care what happens next. I just want you. ”
“You mean that?” he whispered.
“With everything in me. I love you, Danny. And I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realize—”
Her declaration was cut off by his kiss. He lifted her into the air, spinning her around as they embraced. His hands were firm at her hips, and she looped her arms around his neck, desperate to keep him close. The more he kissed her, the more she smiled, until she was laughing.
He was laughing.
Danny pulled away, smile impossibly wide. “I love you, Milly,” he said, giving her another kiss, “and you’ve made a day I used to dread into the happiest of my life.”
“A day you used to dread?” she asked.
“For years, I associated Cory’s wedding with you two getting married.”
“Danny…” She ran her hands into his hair, righting the strands. “God, you’re perfect.”
“I’m not.” He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. “I’m a burnout, remember?”
“You’re not a burnout. I’m so sorry I didn’t visit. You’ve always believed in me. No matter what. But I didn’t do the same for you. And not only was I unfair, but I was wrong.”
“Cam … it’s okay—”
“It’s not okay! I fucked up. And I need you to know how much I believe in you. I believe in you more than I’ve ever believed in anyone else. I believe in you so much I want to rewrite my entire life so I can live it by your side.”
He cupped her cheeks, his thumb skimming across her bottom lip. “You don’t need to rewrite anything,” he promised. “I’ll make whatever you want work. I’ll support any decision. Anything that makes you happy and keeps you here with me.”
She buried her face in his chest. “All that matters is being with you.”
“Hey.” When she looked at him, he tilted her chin up and smiled. “You’re with me, Milly. Always.”
Kissing under the moonlight while dressed in their wedding best should’ve been a picture-perfect moment. The waves crashed, the sand was warm, and Danny tasted like champagne and cake.
Unfortunately, they weren’t alone.
“This is my only warning, Danny! If you break her heart, I’ll kick your ass!”
Cam winced. She didn’t need to turn around to know Morgan was leaning over the deck railing, desperate for a closer look at their embrace.
At least it was only her—
“Will you two ever get a room?” Drew cried. “Morgan told me this was going to happen, but—”
Cam laughed into Danny’s chest, ignoring their friends very loudly recapping their romance. “I hope you weren’t planning on keeping this a secret from Statler and Waldorf,” she joked.
“Keep this a secret?” Danny repeated, playfully aghast. “Cam, I’m gonna vandalize every shop in town with our initials. I want us to have matching misdemeanors.”
“You’re so romantic,” she teased, grinning up at him. “I guess this is two less people to tell.”
“I gotta text my mom. She’ll be so excited I’m dating a Jewish girl.”
Cam nudged him gently. “Then you should probably mention I’m baptized.”
He waved off the comment. “But your mom is Jewish and that’s all that matters.” He kissed her again. “Someone who understands my plight.”
“Such a struggle,” she groaned, “getting gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas.”
When he pulled away, he took her hand in his. “No one understands me like you do, Cam.”
As they trekked through the sand, fingers interlocked, Cam couldn’t keep her eyes off Danny. Even with Morgan and Drew hollering in the distance, nothing could possibly ruin the moment.