I glance at my watch to see I’m definitely running late. “Damn.”
It’s been a long day, but the thought of a night out fills me with a burst of energy. I hurry to freshen up, changing into a comfortable pair of jeans and the soft blue sweater that Cam gave me for my birthday last year. As I pull the sweater over my head, I smile at the memory of when he gave it to me. “Itmatches your eyes,” he’d said. “And it’ll keep you warm when I’m not there to do it myself.”
In the bathroom, I splash some water on my face and pat it dry with a towel. I run a hand through my curls, trying to tame them into submission. It’s never going to work, but I give it my best shot anyway, then I’m grabbing my keys and am on my way out the door.
Outside, the evening air is crisp, and I hurry to the car that’s parked on the street. Jake’s Tap isn’t too far from our house and in finer weather, I’d walk to the town center, but it’ll be colder later. Plus, if I drive I’ll get there sooner. I’m looking forward to the company of friends, but most of all I’m looking forward to seeing Cam.
The familiar glow of Jake’s Tap comes into view. I park and head toward the building, a spring in my step, eager for some good food and fun conversation. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, I’m enveloped by the warmth and sounds of the popular local spot. The air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of burgers and fries, mingling with the rich scent of beer and the faint undertone of old wood and peanuts.
I scan the room, and there he is—Cam, seated at a table with Georgia and Felix. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him—his hazel eyes sparkling and his infectious grin lighting up the room.
As I approach the table, I catch their conversation.
“I’m telling you, guys,” Georgia says, as she leans in conspiratorially, “Mrs. Walsh was definitely giving Mr. Hill the eye at the store today. I thought his wife was going to have a conniption right then and there!”
Felix chuckles, eyes twinkling with amusement. “I bet Kit could write a whole novel based on the drama in this town alone.”
“Speaking of novels, how’s he doing with his latest manuscript?” Georgia asks.
“Oh, you know Kit,” Felix replies. “He’s holed up in his study, lost in his own little world. I swear, sometimes I think he loves his characters more than he loves me!”
They all laugh at that, and I join in. Cameron looks up, his grin widening as he takes me in. “Hey, babe,” he says, “I’m glad you’re here.”
I slide into the chair next to him, my hand finding his beneath the table and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Sorry I’m late. Thought I’d never get here. I couldn’t get Mrs. A off the phone.”
“Again?”
“She just needs reassurance with her retirement coming up,” I say. “Long winded phone calls are a small price to pay if it gives her peace of mind.”
He smiles at me. “Actually, I was telling Georgia and Felix earlier how hard you’re working at the moment. Between the needy clients and the house renovations, you hardly have a moment to yourself.”
I shrug and offer a small smile. “It’s all worth it.”
Felix leans forward, his elbows resting on the table as he grins at me. “So, Greg, still have time for knitting? How’s it coming along? Have you moved on from squares to rectangles yet?”
I raise my eyebrows in mock offense at his teasing. “Hey, don’t knock my squares! Those blankets keep many people warm during the cold Collier’s Creek winters.”
Georgia reaches across the table to pat my hand. “What you’re doing is really admirable. I’m sure those blankets mean the world to the people who receive them.”
Despite myself, pride swells in my chest. “Thanks, Georgia. It feels good to help in some small way.”
Cam leans in, his shoulder brushing against mine as he smiles at me. “You’re making a difference, babe. Never doubt that.”
I warm at the show of support from Cam and my friends, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Enough about me,though. Felix, I heard you talking about Kit. How’s he doing with his new manuscript? You said he’s been burning the midnight oil?”
Felix’s face lights up as the conversation turns back to his partner. They’ve been together for about a year now and his love for Kit shines through. “He’s doing great! The story is really coming together, and he’s excited about where it’s headed. I keep telling him to take more breaks, but you know how he gets when he’s in the zone.”
I nod, familiar with Kit’s single-minded focus when he’s working on a writing project. He’s become a close friend since he fell for Felix and decided to stay in town. “Well, make sure he knows we’re all rooting for him,” I say. “Hopefully he’ll be able to make our next get-together.”
Cam passes me a glass filled with beer from the pitcher on the table and the conversation flows easily. The stress of the day falls away, and I don’t feel guilty for taking an evening away from the renovations. Watching Cam share stories and laugh with our friends puts a smile on my face and I’m reminded why I fell in love with him in the first place. He’s so generous with his friendship, doing anything to support the people he cares about. He offers to help Felix move some furniture, and his offer doesn’t surprise me at all.
His gaze falls on me often, and he places his hand on my knee as he talks. I like the constant contact, as if he can’t keep his hands off me, because that’s exactly how I feel. But eventually I have to tear myself away to go take a leak and so I excuse myself from the table. When I come out of the men’s room, Cam’s waiting in the dim hall, leaning against the wall. He steps forward at my approach and takes my hand in his.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“I just wanted to tell you how much I love you,” he says, his voice low.
I huff a laugh and smile. “I know. But what’s brought this on?”
