“That’s not true. You’re the one who broke your wrist when we went rollerblading around Stanley Park right after exams that one year.”
Against my better judgment, I turn to give her a glare just in time to see her drop through a gap in the monkey bars and swing herself down to the ground.
“It’s not my fault there was a rock on the path.”
Cam’s teasing laugh erases the remnants of worry I had while she was up on the bars. My mind goes to my future brother-in-law, Hunter. When he came clean to the rest of us about his struggles with anxiety, I felt nothing but compassion. While I don’t even pretend to know what he feels, I know the times that I feel worried about my siblings, my friends, or myself, can be exhausting. But I’m able to shake it off, rationalize through the fears, and move forward. To live with that at a level where shaking it off or rationalizing isn’t always possible? I can see how that would be debilitating. It makes me admire him all the more for everything he’s accomplished. He’s one strong man, and I’m glad he and Kat found their way to each other.
When Cam and I finally reach the main part of town with the grassy square that has a white gazebo sitting on it, we head straight to The Nutty Muffin. This bakery is a bit of an institution in town, along with the café connected to it that opened more recently. Kat worked at the café throughout her schooling to become a nurse practitioner, and all of us Donnellys still come in for lunch at least once a week.
Cam’s eyes immediately go to the colourful awning over the café.
“Camille’s?” she asks, a light laugh in her voice.
I chuckle. “Yeah, but don’t let it go to your head. It’s not named after you. Mila and Ethan’s mom was named Camille.”
Cam shrugs, a smile lighting her up. “It’s a good name, that’s all I’m saying. Even if it is spelled wrong.”
We push open the door to The Nutty Muffin, its namesake apple nut muffins our priority this morning. Mila normally sells out of them early, no matter how many she bakes. But like I told Cam, she sets some aside each morning for friends and family, just as long as we show up before ten.
As Cam walks in, my hand drifts to her lower back. I snatch it away as soon as I make contact, but she noticed, and gives me a quizzical look over her shoulder. I pretend not to see, and beeline for the front counter where Sebastian, one of the regular employees, is working.
Why the hell did I do that? We don’t do casual affection. It’s never been a part of our friendship. I’ve gotta get my head on straight, and fast, because if anyone can sniff out relationship drama, it’s…
“Beckett! Hey, how’s it going?” A cheerful brunette steps out of the kitchen area with a wide smile.
“Hi Mila, it’s good. Hoping you’ve got some muffins hidden away? Cam and I just got back last night and this is the first thing she asked for this morning.”
I realize my mistake instantly. Mila’s like a bloodhound sniffing out juicy details, and I’ve basically made it clear Cam’s staying at my house. Which fine, she’s done so before, but it’s different this time. No one else knows it’s different, but I do.
I know she’s not just my friend visiting me,she’s my wife, living with me.
Mila’s eyes bounce between us for a second or two, but to my immense relief, she doesn’t pry. “Of course, I do. Welcome back, Cam. It’s been a few years.”
Cam leans in eagerly as Mila hands us a plate with two muffins. “Yeah, it’s been hard to find time to get here, but I’ll be around for a while this time.”
I inwardly cringe. Cam just unknowingly fed the flame of Mila’s nosy matchmaking nature.
“Really!” she replies brightly, a wide smile breaking across her face. “That’s great. Can’t wait to see you around some more.” She arches her brow at me pointedly, and I force myself to meet her gaze head-on.
Nothing to see here…I guess my thought projection works because Mila turns to Sebastian. “Their order is on the house as a welcome back for Cam.”
I start to protest, but Mila lifts her hand. “Nope, don’t say it, Beckett Donnelly. You’re not my accountant, your partner is, and he’s not here right now, so I can do what I want.”
I chuckle instead. “Fair enough. Thanks, Mila.”
After collecting our coffees and saying another thank you to Mila, we head over to an open table by the window.
“I forgot how amazing this town is.” Cam picks apart a piece of muffin and pops it in her mouth, closing her eyes with a soft moan. “And how amazing these muffins are. Oh my God.”
I shift in my seat. That sound she just made does something to me that is really not appropriate for a public setting. Picking up my own muffin, I take a large bite. She’s not wrong, these muffins really are that good.
The rest of our breakfast goes by uninterrupted, thankfully. I notice a few people looking at Cam, some of them recognizing her from past visits, some not. My family is fairly well-known around here, with all of us working jobs that keep us connected to the town. My work as an accountant might not be as flashy as Sawyer being a firefighter, Jude’s NHL history, or Max being a doctor, but the majority of my small business clients are people who own stores and restaurants right here in this town square.
After we finish, we head back outside and wander around the square some more. Just around the corner from the bakery, there’s a vacant storefront. It’s not right on the main street but still gets plenty of foot traffic.
“What used to be here?” Cam asks, peering in the dark windows.
I consider it for a minute, trying to remember. The space has been vacant for several months, and I seem to remember Ethan talking at Hastings bar one night about how hard it had been to find a good tenant.
