Chapter 32
It was the end of the work week and Cam dropped his head back onto his desk chair and closed his eyes. He’d been able to get caught up, but it’d still been a grueling week. He just sent his last email and was ready to get out of there for the day.
He let out a sigh and began packing his belongings to head home. Thankfully, he didn’t need to take his work laptop home, which meant he should have plenty of time to relax and catch up on sleep. Both had escaped him the past five days as he tossed and turned in bed at night or his mind drifted to Emma when he was watching a show.
His phone started ringing the moment he pulled out of the parking lot.
“What’s happening?” Cam greeted with more enthusiasm than he had.
“Come eat at Leo’s tonight,” Nate said.
Cam was ready to get home, not that he had any plans or much going on this weekend. In fact, all he had on his agenda was to melt into the couch, but at the same time, going to dinner with his friends didn’t sound all that great at the moment, even if the restaurant Nate owned was one of his favorites. “Who all is going?”
“Everyone.”
Cam groaned.
“What’s that for? You love my food.”
“No, I love your chef’s food. Your cooking is mediocre.” Nate’s dad was the cook in their family, but Nate had lost him at an early age. The restaurants were in his honor and memory.
Nate laughed. “Suck it up and come eat.”
Another groan sounded over the phone. “I won’t lie, I’m ready to go home and call it a week.”
“Good, you can change while you’re there, and then come call it a week with your closest friends.”
“You’re relentless,” Cam remarked.
“I think Katie’s rubbing off on me.”
He chuckled. “Fine. What time is everyone getting there?”
“Get here in an hour.”
Cam chuckled. He wasn’t sure if Katie was rubbing off on him or him on her. At this moment, he felt like they were both bossy. “See you then.”
“Don’t be sour. You’ll have fun.”
“Yeah, yeah,”
Then Nate hung up without so much as a goodbye and Cam couldn’t help but smile. Somehow in that short phone call, he’d found himself reenergized enough that sitting around a table with his friends didn’t sound half bad.
He rolled his neck and shoulders as he drove home and decided that he wouldn’t let his first weekend back set the tone for the next three months. He’d already decided that he would let Emma have the time that everyone seemed to think she needed, and then when her work trip was over, he was going to show up on her doorstep whether she liked that idea or not.
He would’ve preferred her to call him back or at least send a text telling him to get lost or leave her alone or something. At least one of those responses would’ve given him hope or fully crushed it. However, she didn’t. So a surprise visit once she returned was the best he had.
In the meantime, he had to keep himself from sulking around the next few months. No woman would want a man who let himself go because of a broken heart. No, he was going to give his life everything he had until she was back. Be the best boss he could at work, show up for his friends, take care of his health, get out of the house, and make new memories. He wouldn’t become a lesser version of himself by the next time he saw her. He’d only further be someone she deserved to be with.
He smiled and nodded his head to himself. Yeah, that sounded like a good plan.
◆◆◆
“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Emma was asking, her eyes gazing over the large space.
Katie waved her hand through the air. “Of course, we don’t mind,” she said, then looked at the woman whom she’d only just met an hour ago in person and saw the worry and nerves in her eyes. She reached out and clasped a comforting hand over one of her crossed forearms. “It’s going to go good,” she assured.
Emma couldn’t deny the relief she felt to find Katie and Nate as kind and friendly as Cam had described on vacation. She smiled at the beautiful blonde. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for all of this.” She knew the idea was crazy, but she did it anyway. After pulling up Cam’s social media and finding a photo of him and Katie, she sent a direct message to her, explaining who she was, how she’d recently met Cam, and was hoping the other woman might be able to help her out.
Katie had been a force of nature to the point that if Emma had even wanted to back out with cold feet, she didn’t think his friend would let her. More than anything though, she’d felt a flicker of hope whenever Katie said she knew who Emma was and would be more than happy to help her.
She should’ve learned her lesson about scheming and bad decisions by now, but instead, Emma was hoping this one last crazy plan might lead to her happy ending.
Katie let her arm go and gave a wide smile. “Don’t thank me yet. You might regret it the day you meet everyone and realize it’s too late to turn back.” They laughed.
“I’ve heard stories,” Emma said.
“They’re all true,” Katie replied. “And probably the filtered versions.”
“What’s the filtered versions?” Emma saw Katie’s boyfriend come into the private dining space, the room Katie had insisted on Emma using. She felt guilty utilizing all of this space, but the woman wouldn’t budge. Nate walked up to stand next to his girlfriend and wrapped his arm around her shoulder before kissing her on the head. It made Emma think of Cam and how badly she missed those gestures between them.
“Anything Cam told her about us,” Katie replied to Nate’s question.
Nate’s brows rose and he blew out a breath. “Whew. I can only imagine the edited versions of stories he gave you to not scare you off.”
Emma laughed. “I don’t know. I’m half worried about the same thing.”
Katie barked out a laugh in response. “Are you kidding? He told us you suckered him into a sweet vacation as his pretend boyfriend and then expected him to sleep on the couch while he fell in love.”
Emma cringed. Katie’s grin only grew.
“We already know you fit right in,” the woman said with such authority that Emma sagged with relief. She’d been nervous about meeting them in person, especially without Cam as a buffer. Now she knew she had nothing to worry about, especially if they already accepted her ridiculous plans and decisions.
“Hey,” a feminine voice called. “We’re here!” A few moments later a brunette walked in, the picture of stunning confidence, with a man trailing behind her.
Emma would’ve known them based on the actor’s recognizable face, but she knew it was Slone due to the number of times she’d looked at Cam’s photos at this point. She should probably feel like a stalker, but instead, it made her feel relieved to know who was surprising them.
“What are you doing here?” Katie asked.
“We’re not going to let you have all the fun.” Slone hugged her friend and then turned toward Emma, who felt like the woman was quickly sizing her up before a smile spread across her face. The next thing Emma knew she was also in that embrace, and a sense of welcome and belonging warmed her.
Slone released her from the hug. “It’s great to meet you.”
“You too,” Emma said, feeling a bit awkward at meeting more of Cam’s friends whenever they hadn’t even spoken since that beach hotel.
“I tried telling her we could wait until tomorrow, but she wouldn’t listen,” Derek said, not sounding sorry at all.
“Oh please,” Katie said. “You were probably the first one in the car telling her to hurry.”
Slone let out a laugh. “That’s not far from the truth.” Emma noticed how her hand went to her stomach, remembering what Cam told her about them becoming parents. She already knew their baby was going to be well-loved and welcomed into this world.
Slone’s phone started ringing. “That’s probably Phoenix or Annika. They should be here soon.”
Emma paled. “Do you all have plans, too?” she asked.
Slone looked at her like that was an absurd question, then she answered the call saying, “We’re in the private room in the back,” before hanging up. She came to stand next to Emma, sliding her arm through hers and smiling. “Welcome to the family, Emma.”
She didn’t remove her arm from Slone’s, but she did square her shoulders as she asked the question that she had to know. “Why? Why help me and be here for this?” she asked. “I mean, didn’t Cam tell you how badly I screwed him over and took him for granted?”
Katie stepped up next to Nate as she wrapped her arm around his waist. “I take it that Cam didn’t tell you all the details of our relationships,” she said.
Emma’s brows narrowed, but Derek spoke up, though his eyes were on his wife as a look that could only be described as love graced his face. “Let’s just say none of us are perfect either.”
Slone gave her arm a squeeze. “Once you and Cam get yourselves all patched up, we’ll give you the fun and gritty details of our adventures.”
Emma felt something like relief start to sink in and then she heard the rest of their group before she saw them. Men and women both.
Well, she thought, it looked like today was the day she would be meeting everyone, and if she was hoping to make a grand gesture, then the more the merrier she supposed.
◆◆◆
Leo’s was lively tonight, Cam noticed, as he walked through the front door. It wasn’t surprising since it was a Friday night, and he’d bet the hotel it was connected to was just as booked up. He approached the host at the podium, a familiar face from how many times he’d been here.
“Hey Paul, how’s it going?”
“As good as ever,” the man answered. “I think I’ll be tired of standing by the end of the night though.”
Cam chuckled. “Looks like you have a busy one ahead of you.” Paul nodded, taking a glance across the dining room at the full tables. “Where are they seated tonight?” Cam asked, also browsing the room for his friends.
“The event room,” Paul said.
Cam’s head went back in surprise. That’s unlike them. Normally, Nate only lets big groups hold that room. He’d never reserve it for them. He thanked the host and made his way through the tables and to the private room in the back, spotting the closed sliding doors in the middle. Maybe his friends knew what a trying week this had been and decided to get him back to the norm in small steps.
However, this felt more than unnecessary. He had a broken heart, not a phobia of crowded restaurants. He planned on giving Nate crap about it once he saw him. But the moment he slid one of the doors open and stepped inside the room, his thoughts and remarks died on his tongue.
Emma swallowed, refusing to sink within herself as she saw Cam freeze in the doorway, his eyes meeting hers from across the room.
The giant space had been cleared of the typical row of tables for large groups, and instead held a single table with two chairs, the rest used to spread around the edges of the room, each holding candles and flowers to create an ambiance like she’d never experienced before.
It was romantic, a gesture she was hoping Cam would appreciate.
He took a step inside, not sure if his mind or heart were working. She was here. Emma was seated by herself at the single table, the glow of candlelight making her even more beautiful.
Cam took a deep breath, sliding the door shut behind him. But then he hesitated. Of all the ways he’d thought about seeing her again, the many ideas of what it’d be like or how he’d feel, he had never expected it to be so soon or like this. She started to rise, the flash of worry in her eyes, and like some unseen bond between them, he felt the pull tug him from his stupor.
“I’m sor–” she began at the same time he said, “You’re here.”
Emma now stood, her hands clasped in front of her as she looked at him, as handsome as he’d been a week ago. If only she could take back the way she’d treated him.
She nodded. “I’m here.”
He slowly walked forward. The steps small. “Why?”
She refused to look away. “For you,” she whispered.
“But your job,” he supplied.
She shrugged. “It was just an opportunity. I’ve built a career.”
He stopped a few feet away, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I would rather be here,” Emma added.
Cam looked her over, swallowing as he tried to steady his voice. “I said I would wait.”
She blinked back the tears but not fast enough as one slid down her cheek. “I didn’t want you to.” Her head angled to the side as she added, “And I didn’t want to.”
A second passed as they stared at each other, and then another and another until Cam didn’t know if he was breathing.
“I don’t want you to give up your dreams for me,” he said quietly. “I want to help you achieve them.”
She smiled. “I told you I didn’t care about my name in fancy publications. I want to experience life and do the things I love surrounded by good people.” She took a small step around the table, towards him. “And I want all of that with you if I didn’t push you too far away…”
Cam’s face split into a grin as he was already moving, noticing she met him in the middle as he slung his arms around her and pulled her in. He buried his head into her neck, marveling at how good it felt to have her back in his arms.
Emma was crying into his chest, his embrace like feeling the sun on her skin for the first time, a radiant sensation filling her heart and across her body. She turned her head and his mouth found hers as she snaked a hand up into his hair, kissing him with every ounce of her being. He returned the sentiment, his lips settling in over hers.
It felt right and Emma thought her heart might burst at the joy she was experiencing. He kissed her and kissed her, and she did so back, all that was left unsaid passing through them in those light and passionate moments, each kiss growing deeper and more primal.
Knowing where this was headed if they didn’t regain their self-control, they slowed, Cam pulling back to place a gentle peck on her forehead. “I missed you so damn much,” he admitted.
“I did too.” She hugged him tighter, not wanting to ever let him go. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, then she peered up to look at him. “I’m so sorry. I was hurting and instead of facing myself and dealing with the turmoil of how I treated my family, I took it out on you. I didn’t want you to go,” she said. “I never wanted you to go. I just didn’t want to face myself or you, or anyone for that matter.”
“I know,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Cameron.”
He smiled. “I’m sorry, too.”
She frowned. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“I shouldn’t have left, shouldn’t have let you walk away from me that easily.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I was giving you any other option.”
He didn’t drop his arms from around her. “Then I’m sorry for the plan I had to bombard you at your apartment when you got back.”
She looked at him with surprise. “You were going to show up on my doorstep?”
He stroked her jaw with the back of his finger. “I told you I’d wait. I’d still be here,” he said. “But I didn’t say I would leave you alone.” She smiled that smile he loved so much as she let out a laugh. “Speaking of which,” he glanced around as if realizing just whose restaurant they were in. “How did this all come about?”
She gave him a mischievous grin that sent a thrill through him. His adventurous Emma, he admired. Here with him.
“Let’s just say all that social media creeping paid off.” She gave him a wink. “And it turns out, you were right. I think I’ll get along with your friends just fine.”
He let out a laugh. “I have no doubt about that.” Then he smiled again. “You did all this for me?” he asked. “Why?”
Her face turned serious. “Because when I was sitting in that meeting on Monday, I finally understood the difference between going after what you want and chasing other peoples’ dreams.” She swallowed. “I want to explore a life with you, Cam, and whenever I listened to your voicemail…” her voice drifted off.
“I was scared I lost you because I never heard back,” he admitted.
She shook her head, a sheen covering her eyes. “You never lost me. I’ve probably listened to it a thousand times by now, but I knew this was something that needed to happen in person. I still have so much to say.”
He gave her a quick but thorough kiss. “We have all the time in the world for that.”
The corners of her mouth lifted. “I thought you might be fond of a big romantic gesture.” He laughed and squeezed her tighter. “Plus, I stole your friends’ idea.”
He looked at her in question.
“You said they thought if I came to visit, then I’d at least fall in love with them and stick around if you turned out to be a dud.” She grinned. “So I thought if I could get in their good graces, then maybe you’d give me a second chance after proving to be a red flag.”
He burst out laughing. “Sweetie, you proved you were a red flag the moment I first saw you throw another man’s socks out the door.”
She smacked his shoulder but was laughing.
“But that didn’t stop me then, and I’m afraid nothing you ever do will stop me from feeling the way I do about you.”
Her heart stuttered. “How do you feel about me?”
He slowly lowered his forehead to hers, their noses grazing. “Like I’m falling for you.”
She tilted her head up to kiss him, then said, “I think I’m falling for you, too.”
He smiled, keeping her held close as everything else faded into the background and they stood like that, holding each other, all feeling right in the world.
Until a slight noise cut through their private and special moment as he heard Katie bellow from the doors, “Can we come in now? We can’t wait any longer.”
As Emma laughed and Cam turned to find all of his friends barging inside the serene atmosphere, he felt his heart swell. He let her go, but only to wrap his fingers within hers as their friends came barreling in to embrace and hug them, clap him on the back, and demand all the details. Slone even went so far as to complain Derek was breathing too loud, making eavesdropping even harder in a crowded restaurant.
Emma insisted that they push the tables back together and everyone join them for dinner, and before he could say otherwise as to steal her for himself, they were already rearranging furniture and taking seats like the big happy family he’d always felt them to be.
Cam looked from one face to another, then back to the woman who held his heart. They’d all shown up here for her, and him, to be a part of this special point in his life. He leaned back in his chair and smiled, rubbing the side of her hand with his thumb.
Cam let out a deep breath, a sense of peace filling him. Him and Emma, he thought with a smile, not realizing she was sitting right beside him feeling the same, knowing that she was right where she was meant to be.