With faux modesty, Roxie flapped a hand.“Oh, please.”
“No one knows what it is to party until they’ve done it with Roxie Kyst.”
“And the whole world will come along when Roxiverse airs.”
“I’ve lived it and even I can’t wait,” Ariella said, settling into the groove.
There was some cheese in the form of humor and just enough pizzazz with the pure glamor of the woman at her side.
“Enough about me,” Roxie said.“Everyone wants to know about you, Mysterious Creature.”
“There’s nothing mysterious about me.”
“Do you want to tell us your story?”
“My story is no different to the story of millions of other women out there.I got married young.Our families didn’t approve…” Hmm, was that too stuffy?“Yes, I was married to Spencer Raith.”To get the message out, there was no better way than saying it straight.“Yes, there was an age difference between us.We were never student and teacher.He did not groom or harass me.I was never pressured.I could’ve left any time.”Though that may have been a logistical nightmare.“I loved him and he loved me.Losing him was the hardest thing I ever had to go through, without a doubt.Millions out there can, unfortunately, identify with grief like that.”
“You were integral to each other’s lives.”
“We were.And I’ve grieved for him, for a long time.There were times I thought there may be no light in my future.”Just at that, movement in the doorway drew her eye.Cam propped a shoulder on the doorframe.“You ever hear the expression ‘in for a penny, in for a pound?’”The question was for everyone though her focus stayed on her man as she stood up to extend an arm toward him.“Come over here.”
“Oh,” Roxie exclaimed, smile bright.“Plot twist.”The brunette gestured at Cam too.“Don’t pretend you’re shy, you heard the woman, Collier.”
In case anyone wasn’t sure of his identity before…
Though he straightened, he didn’t venture forward.“Nah, nah, this is your ladies deal.”
“And you heard the lady,” Roxie said.“Get over here.”
“So for a long time…” Ariella started as Cam strolled closer.“After losing Spence, I didn’t see any future for myself.I couldn’t imagine what that would look like without him.Over time, I wanted more from life and thought maybe I could find someone new to love.”When he reached her, she leaned against him, staring up into him.“I had no idea that love would come from Camden Collier.”
Roxie peeked closer to the camera.“Of the CollCom Colliers, the one no one ever hears about because he’s less than famous.”
“I know,” Ariella said.“And I know I should’ve talked to you about doing this before I did, but why wait?For a while, falling in love with you, I thought I was pushing my luck, that no one truly got two bites of the apple.I don’t know why I’ve been blessed with us, but I can’t deny feeling any less than the world for you.And I don’t want to hide it.Why should we hide it?”
“We didn’t talk about this,” Cam said, though amused.“Telling the world.”
“Spence and I hid what we were and that only left room for speculation.I don’t want to love in the dark anymore.I don’t want us to hide that we’re forever.Can’t we move into the light?Love like maybe it’s okay to admit the truth, no matter the consequences.”
“With you, light is all there is, Candy.”
“And they lived happily ever after…” Roxie chorused as Cam’s mouth found its mate.
Nothing was simple.No matter how right their love was, that didn’t absolve it of obstacles.They’d face them, overcome them, and still love would endure.
What would be the point of dragging out the charade only to admit the truth and kick the scandal into gear again?She was Roxie’s friend, yes, but Cam was so much more.Things would be published about them as a couple, she got that.But honestly?Who cared.At the end of the day, what was really important was admitting she’d been wrong.Turned out, he’d been her type all along.Imagine that.
THIRTY-ONE
“AND WE’RE OUT.”
The guy behind the laptop tapped a few things on his keyboard then left her and Roxie alone.
“Well…” Roxie said, cheeks plumped.“That was unexpected.”
“Am I crazy?”She fell back into her seat.“Cam might be mad.”
“He didn’t look mad.”Roxie squealed and opened her arms wide to beckon a hug.“Bring it in.”
