“I know we’re pretty new friends, but I hope it means something when I say that I know without a doubt that you’re not a gold digger. Or a fraud,” Sophie says.
I hug her again.
She flashes a small smile when we break apart. “I see the way Camden looks at you. Even at the beginning, when you first got married, I could tell he had feelings for you. He didn’t look at anyone the way he looked at you.”
A giddy feeling swoops through me. “He admitted that he had a crush on me when we were kids. I had a crush on him too.”
She grins wide. “See? You two were meant to be right from the get-go.”
We share the basket of fries and sip on our non-alcoholic cocktails that Sophie ordered for us.
“So, um, how long did it take you to realize you were falling for Xander for real?” I ask.
“Not long. A month, maybe? He was always so sweet and kind and doting that I think part of me fell for him the second we started fake dating.”
I smile down at my glass. “I think a small part of me always had feelings for Camden too.”
“I’d bet anything he’d say the same about you.”
I trace the rim of my glass as I work up the nerve to ask her something else.
“How long until you knew you were in love with him?”
She looks at me, her expression warm, like she understands completely. “Not long at all. Like a couple of months.”
“Really?”
She nods.
I swallow. “I’m in love with Camden. I’m just scared to tell him. Part of me thinks it’s too soon and he’ll freak out.”
Sophie gives me the warmest, most reassuring smile. “Don’t be scared. He’s in love with you, Ellie. Everyone sees it. And whenever you’re ready, you should tell him. He’ll be so happy.”
A hopeful feeling springs up inside of me. I hope she’s right.
Chapter 51
Camden
Ilisten as Del finishes his speech in front of his and Ingrid’s wedding guests during their beach reception in Cabo.
“It means everything to have you here, sharing this day with us.”
He turns to Ingrid, who’s standing next to him at heart-shaped two-person table they’re sharing overlooking the ocean at dusk.
“My wife and I.” He stops speaking, and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen Del make spreads across his face. He looks at Ingrid. “My wife. Damn, I like the sound of that.”
He drops the mic, grabs her face, and kisses her. Everyone whistles and cheers.
When they break apart, Ingrid is blushing and giggling.
Del picks the mic back up. “My wife and I just want to take a minute and say that we love you. Thank you for coming to Cabo and celebrating with us.”
Everyone claps. A soft, warm ocean breeze gently glides around the palm trees surrounding our cluster of tables on the beach.
While the staff serves dinner, I glance down at the plate they set in front of Ellie.
I stop the server. “Is this dairy-free and gluten-free? My wife has food allergies.”
