“If it's still too hard to talk about it, then don’t,” I say because I have no clue what else to say.
“It’s not that.” Matt leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “I imagine it's different for me than it is for Camille.” He pauses and takes in a deep breath before continuing. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I loved Emily in my own way, but you know as well as anyone that she wasn’t the love of my life. I screwed that all to hell. But what I can tell you is this: when you love someone—truly love them—you fight for them. No matter what. Don’t be a chicken shit like me and let her walk away.”
I sigh and pat Matt on the back. “It’s not too late for you, you know. You can still make this right.”
Matt shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck. “Nah, I’ve exhausted all my chances. Plus, there’s no coming back from what happened. But you and Camille—you two have something. I saw it the night you brought her to The Wine Room. Don’t let that go. If you’re worried about her husband, enough time has passed since he died. She’s ready to love again. I can see it in the way she looks at you.”
I nod and take a drink of my beer. “Are you free this weekend? I could really use your help. Joe’s too.”
Matt’s face turns into a full-on grin. “You’ve got a plan?”
“Yep.” I smile in return. “Something I’ve been working on for a while now. I can’t pull it off by myself. It might take all the Langdon men to get it done. You in?”
“Hell yes.” He lifts his beer to mine for a clank. Silence falls over us as we sit back in our seats and enjoy the rest of our beers. I have four days. It’s going to be tight, but I’ll figure it out and make it happen. Because I’ll do whatever it takes to make Camille mine.
CHAPTER 26
CAMILLE
My flight’s delayed three times before I finally leave New York. I decided to change my flight and return a day earlier after Lizzy finally answered one of my calls. She apologized for everything she said, but when she told me she called Adam and talked to him, I cried. With newfound hope, all I want to do was go home so I can talk to him. With all these delays, I won’t land in Kalispell until after nine. By the time I get to my car and drive home, it'll be too late to go see him.
So much for an earlier arrival.
I’ll have to wait until tomorrow. But tomorrow is Tuesday, and I have no clue what his work schedule looks like. If everything with my house continued as planned while I was gone, it should be done. He’ll have no reason to be at my house to manage the job.
Every fear that invaded my thoughts this week comes rushing back. What if he doesn’t want to talk to me? He never responded to my texts, and he ignored all my calls. Then he left town for a week without telling me. What if he changed his mind?
I wouldn’t blame him. How could he love someone as messed up and damaged as me? He’s had his fair share of heartbreak. Why would he risk more for a broken woman?
I had too many questions sparked by doubt and no answers.
But the one thing that has haunted me the most since he told me he loves me is that I can’t give him what he always wanted—kids of his own. He didn’t flinch when I told him I couldn’t have more kids the first night we spent together, but that was before our hearts were involved. Icangive him a family—it’ll just look different than what he always wanted.
I hope it’ll be enough.
I’ve been driving myself mad all week with these thoughts, and I can’t do a damn thing to make them go away. I can’t fix anything until I speak to Adam.
Thanks to Mother Nature and this severe thunderstorm over New York City, that’s going to have to wait.
My flight landsin Kalispell at 9:30 pm. By the time I retrieve my luggage from baggage claim and make it to my car, it’s after ten. I’m exhausted and want nothing more than to crawl in bed and sleep until this ache in my chest goes away.
The drive home goes by in a blur. I don’t remember most of it and when I pull into my driveway, I’m a bit taken aback by my lack of focus. But I make it home safely and that’s all that really matters.
I’m even more taken aback when I see Adam’s truck parked in my driveway. My heart rate picks up and a high pitch ringing fills my ears.
He’s here.
I can hardly breathe as I step out of my car and collect my luggage. Whatever tiredness I felt before is gone. All I can think about is finding Adam and fixing this distance between us.
I open the front door and the only light on is the light above the kitchen stove.
“Adam,” I call out, but he doesn’t respond.
A rustling noise drags my attention to the stairs. Leaving my luggage in the foyer, I follow the sound. My legs feel like they’re weighted down with lead as I slowly ascend the stairway. I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life. When I reach the landing, I squeeze my eyes shut trying like hell to convince myself that him being here is a good sign.
I let out a long breath and head toward my lit bedroom. I can see shadows moving around within the room, but I can’t see him. It has to be him.
Please, God. Let it be him.
