Head tipped back against the seat, I take in the houses as we pass. “Always. God, I love it out here.” The road is flanked by tall trees with branches so long they reach toward one another over the road, blocking out the sunny day. We made an offer on a house out here not that long ago. I absolutely fell in love with it the moment we stepped inside. It was on the opposite side of War’s pond, on three acres, withan amazing maple tree in the back, complete with a wooden swing hanging from a thick branch.
The place felt more like home than anywhere I’ve ever been.
I cried when our agent called and said we’d been outbid.
We haven’t looked at anything else. I can’t bring myself to. For now, I’m okay staying where we are. Cora has been staying with us, and I like having her around. It’s been fun getting to know her, and watching her and Camden always melts my heart. She means so much to him. So honestly, staying put wouldn’t be terrible. At least for now.
When Camden makes another turn and a flash of familiarity hits me, I frown. “Wait, isn’t this—” The words die on my tongue when we pull up to the house we previously bid on. The one I fell in love with.
There are dozens of cars lining the street, and the lights inside the oversized navy colonial are blazing.
I shift in my seat and study Camden, butterflies fluttering in my belly. “What did you do?”
He smiles. “This is where you and I are going to build a life. Where I’m gonna finally knock you up. Where we’ll watch our children grow up. We’re going to mark up one of those walls with little lines to commemorate their heights every year, and I’m gonna teach them how to skate out on that pond. You and me, we’re going to grow old here, baby girl.”
I laugh through my tears. “You already are old.”
He leans across the car and cups my cheek, swiping at my tears with a thumb. “Brat.”
“We really got it?”
He nods. “I had the realtor call. Told them that we’d pay a hundred grand over the other offer.”
My heart lurches. “Camden.”
“Tell me you’re happy, baby girl. Tell me you love this. Tell me this is where we’ll raise our family.”
“Yes.” Grinning like a fool, I leap across the car and kiss him. “Of course.” I clutch his shirt. “This is really our house?”
He laughs against my mouth as I pepper him with kisses. “Yes, it’s all ours.”
“Who’s inside?”
His eyes dance. “Guess we’ll have to go in and find out.”
“God.” I throw my head back. “You’re the best.”
“I really am.” Laughing, he pushes open the car door and hauls himself out with me still in his arms. As he carries me toward the house, I don’t argue. I’m too damn excited. Too shocked to ask him to put me down. Halfway to the front door, it swings open, and Josie and Addie appear, wearing huge smiles. “Surprise!”
As Camden carries me past them, I press my hand to his chest. “I love you. Thank you.”
“Welcome, baby girl.” With one last kiss, he eases me to my feet. “Now go enjoy our welcome home party. Your girls are dying for a tour.”
“Yeah we are!” Josie squeals. “I cannot believe you share a pond with my parents.” Her eyes shine, her smile wide. “I’m trying not to be Jealous Whore Barbie, but I really feel like my mom is stealing my best friend.”
Laughing, I scoop her up in a hug. “No one could ever replace you.”
It’s true. Josie was my first real friend. The person who brought me into this world. It’s because of her that I even met Camden. She took this stray in and gave her a family, and I’ll never forget that.
When we break apart, the other girls are eagerly waiting for their own hugs. One by one, they congratulate us. Their extended families file by too. Everyone we love is here.
Even Addie’s parents are here. Beckett gives Camden some type of man hug, with a lot of grunting and slapping on the backs, and then he pulls me in for a good one too. “You know,” I say to Camden, “it’s because of a scholarship from Langfield Corp that I was even able to come to Boston in the first place.”
“Really?” Camden looks between me and his friend.
Beckett smirks. “I remember your submission.”
I jolt backward. “You actually read the submissions?”
