I pause, cracking another leg and pulling out a thick piece of crab meat. “I’m worried about the competition, obviously. But I think I might be more worried about my marriage to Aksel.” The words tumble out faster once I start. “What if I win and he resents me? Or what if he wins and I can’t handleit? I don’t think I’m mature enough to lose gracefully. Andthenthere’sthefactthatI’mmorestressed abouthimthan my future, which feels like a massive red flag. I don’t want to end up like my mom, subsuming myself for an alpha until there’s nothing left. And,” I add weakly, flapping my hands in emphasis, “I might have a drinking problem!”
By the end, I’m shouting, hands flying as I explain my bathroom breakdown.
Eric watches me with a small, sad smile. “Aw. My bestie is traumatized.”
“Eric,”Igroan.“Pleasebeserious.I’mhavinga crisis.”
“Oh, are you?” he asks blandly. “I hadn’t noticed.” “Help me, or I’ll demote you from bestie to friend,”
I threaten.
He gasps. “No. Please. Anything but that.”
Ilaughdespitemyself,thetensionfinallysnapping.
I love him so much.
“In all seriousness,” he says, tone shifting, “worrying about your marriage isn’t a bad thing. I’m glad you’re finally recognizing that it's something real, not a mistake to fix. You deserve love, Hale.” He points at himself with a butter-slick finger. “And you won’t end up like your mother because you have a me. She had no one. I would never let that happen to you.”
My eyes burn, and I focus on dismantling the rest of the crab on my plate. He’s right. My mom had no safety net. No exit.
“As for the drinking,” he adds, “a week of partying in Vegas does not an alcoholic make.”
Logically, I know he’s right. Emotionally, I’m still terrified. Falling for my husband could destroy me.
My head lists every possible disaster.
My heart only knows how warm and safe Aksel makes mefeel.
“You don’t have to decide anything right now,” Eric says gently. “You could just… exist. Enjoy the moment. You don’t have to solve your entire life today.”
“That’s surprisingly insightful,” I admit.
“Yeah,” he nods, swallowing another bite, “also, he’s hot as sin, and it would be a damn shame not to enjoy that.”
I drop my head to the table with a groan.
Maturity won for one whole minute. That’s impressive for him.
Chapter Eighteen
Aksel
“Are you looking forward to watching the show?”
“Absolutely,” Aksel answers without hesitation. His smile comes easily and unguarded. “I’ve already got my parents recording every episode for me. I told them under no circumstances are they allowed to miss a single one.” He lets out a soft laugh. “I want to see everything.”
“What are you looking forward to seeing when you go backand watch it?”
Aksel brings his hand to his chin, brows knitting as he considers the question. “I think…” he says slowly, “I’m most excited to watch mine and Hale’s relationship grow.
Cammie’s eyebrows lift in intrigue.
“Living it is incredible,” he continues, “but it’s happening so fast, and I have a very limited perspective. I think it would be interesting to see it unfold from the outside. To watch the moments I didn’t notice. The little things.”
“You aren’t excited about seeing people react to your work?”
“I’m absolutely excited about that. That part never gets old, but I see my clients’ reactions all the time. I’m familiar with it already.”
