Dad points at me. “With gluten-free buns, of course.”
“Sounds yummy, Dad.”
“Yeah, sounds amazing. My two favorite foods combined into one,” Camden says.
Dad flashes a thumbs-up at him, then steps over to the portable grill he has set up next to the picnic table a dozen feet away.
“Can I help you with anything?” Camden asks.
“If you could flip the burgers while I finish up the chili, that would be great. It’s been simmering all morning.”
While Dad and Camden finish cooking, I help Mom set the table.
She leans closer to me. “So, sweetheart. How’s married life?”
I can’t help the massive grin that splits my face. “Amazing.”
Mom lets out a soft squeal and pulls me into another hug. “I’m so happy for you. And to think that you married your childhood best friend. That’s so darn precious.”
“Everyone keeps telling us how cute it is.”
“Well, it’s true.” She grabs a few bottles of water out of the cooler nearby and sets them on the table. She turns to me, a wistful smile on her face. “You really do look good, sweetheart. You have so much color in your face. Your eyes are brighter too. You look so healthy.”
“I feel healthy.”
“You feeling okay on those new meds? I know it takes a toll on you sometimes when your insurance changes and they put you on a different prescription.”
“Yeah, I’m feeling really good. I haven’t had to change them these past few months, thanks to Camden. I’m on his insurance now and can afford to stay on the same meds.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so happy to hear that. Hockey players get good insurance, then?”
“Yeah. Really good.”
She grabs a small envelope from the pocket of her jeans and hands it to me.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Wedding gift from your dad and me. We wanted to get you and Camden a little something to kickstart your life together as newlyweds,” she says. “It’s nowhere near enough to pay off your medical debt, but we thought you could put this toward the total amount. Any little bit helps.”
“Oh…” My chest tightens at how thoughtful this is. I shake my head. “I don’t need this.”
She blinks at me, confused.
“Camden paid off all my medical debt after we got married,” I say.
Mom’s eyes go watery. “Oh my goodness. What a kind young man.”
Warmth swoops through me. “He really is. And because he paid it off, I’ve been able to quit all those extra jobs I’ve been working. I can focus on that pet sitting business I always wanted to start.”
Mom beams at me, then she glances over at Camden helping Dad at the grill.
She shakes her head, her smile wobbly as she looks at me. Then she hugs me once more. “Sweetheart, that’s wonderful.”
I grin so hard, my cheeks ache. “I feel so lucky.”
When she lets me go, I hand the envelope of money back to her. “You and Dad should keep this and buy something for yourselves. Or save it for when you take another trip together.”
Her brow lifts, her expression turning hopeful. “Or maybe we can save it to pay for something when you and Camden have a proper wedding and can invite everyone to attend?”
