“I want to say it was a clothing boutique. It’s been closed for a while.”
“Huh.”
My head tilts to the side as I study Cam. She’s still peering in the window, but there was a lot of weight in that one little word.
“What are you thinking?”
When she finally looks away from the window, a wistful smile is etched across her features. “It would be a beautiful space for a studio.”
Immediately, the wheels start turning. “You’ve got your grandfather’s money, or you will soon.”
Cam scoffs. “And I’m nowhere near ready to start a fucking business, Beck. I just lost my grandfather and my job, all in one week, in case you forgot. Sure, a studio would be cool. But I don’t have it in me to figure that all out. Not right now.”
I hear the pain that still lingers beneath the surface, and I ache to pull her into my arms, or at least hold her hand. But I’ve already crossed the line once today with my hand on her back earlier. I won’t do it again.
“Well, when you’re ready, you know I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Cam shakes her head. “Beckett Donnelly, you just don’t quit, do you?”
My brow furrows slightly at the light edge of frustration I detect in her voice. “Quit what?”
“Quit trying to save me.”
She says it softly, but that doesn’t lessen the blow. “I’m not trying to save you, Cam, I’m just offering help if you want it. If you don’t, fine.”
I can’t help the bite to my response, but the foolish part of me that hoped she’d realize how unreasonably stubborn she can be is yet again disappointed.
“I just need you to slow your roll. You’ve already got me married and living with you, now you want me to open a business in your fucking perfect town. I know you’re trying to help. I also know I’m overwhelmed, and it’s too much. This is all too much.”
Her voice has dropped to a whisper by the end, and I see the truth written all over. From her hunched over position, to her downcast gaze, to the way her arms are wrapped around her middle. Cam is barely holding on.
I really was a fool to think being here would be some goddamn magical solution to help her grieve her grandfather and move forward with a life that makes her happy.
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop pushing. You’re right, it’s been a lot of big things happening in a short period of time.” I stuff my hands in my pockets and rock back and forth on my heels a couple times. I don’t want to say what I know I’m about to. But I know I have to. “I can see if there’s an apartment available to rent. Ethan and Mila still manage a lot of the rental properties around town. You don’t have to stay with me; there’s no one we have to convince of anything here.”
Chapter nine
Cam
I frown at his words. I hate that I’m hurting Beck when all he’s trying to do is help, but I meant what I said. I’m overwhelmed. It’s all just too fucking much, and as much as the rational side of me knows he has the best of intentions, the hurt, defensive side of me just wants to push him away so I can figure myself out.
“That’s not what I meant, Beck. I know I sound like an ungrateful bitch. I don’t mean to, but you’ve got to see where I’m coming from,” I say, my tone bordering on pleading. “We said this would be a simple partnership. A way to get my inheritance and nothing more. But you keep doing these amazing things for me, and it’s starting to feel likemore.”
His eyes shutter in front of me, but I can’t bring myself to fix it. I’m mired in grief and uncertainty about my future. Drowning from it all. And I know Beckett is my life raft, the way to rise up from the depths. But I also know that by letting him help me, lift me up, forge my path forward with him by my side, we could both end up hurt. And the one thing I can’t handle right now is more pain.
Yet, risky as it is, I also can’t handle the idea of being alone.
“I don’t want to move out of your house unless you want me to. If this is too much for you andyouneed space fromme,I’ll go.”
“Cam, stop.” His voice is firm and leaves no room for argument. “Let me clarify something for you, because apparently, you don’t get it. This marriage might be on paper only but make no mistake. The promise I made to you is very real. I promise I am here for you, no matter what. Good or bad. High or low. You’re not going to lose me, no matter how hard your brain wants to push me away. I’m here. And no matter how or why we ended up in this situation, those promises mean something to me.”
I don’t pause to think. I close the small distance between us and fling my arms around him, burying myself in the warmth he’s offering. His hands come up to land — one on my back and one cupping my head against his chest. His embrace is both protective and comforting, and it’s exactly what my battered soul needs.
He is what I need.
And that terrifies me.
When we eventually get back to Beckett’s house, he pauses in the front hall. With his hands in the pockets of his chinos, he looks at me. “I’m going to head into the office for a few hours and catch up on things. Will you be okay?”
