Page 118 of Sand in My Boots

“Oh, snap.”

I think it’s Silas who says it, but I can’t be certain. I’m too focused on watching her deliberate about how best to respond. After a couple of minutes pass without a response, I add, “It’s not as big as my place. And I know how you like big things.”

She’s sitting directly under the lantern, and the light illuminates the blush deepening her cheeks. “Why are you so crass?” she grits through clenched teeth.

“Admit you love me.”

“Nah, make him sweat it out,” Silas encourages. “He could use to be knocked down a few pegs.”

“Right?” she agrees. “It’s like his shit don’t stink. I’m here to tell you, it does.”

The two guys on my left hoot with laughter, as if there’s nothing funnier in the world. I’d incite them, but the screen erupts to life, previews for other movies playing.

I drag Juli’s chair closer, situating it diagonally in front of me. My hand on her shoulder, I bend forward. “Your earlier punishment wasn’t enough?”

Her breath hitches. I’m not sure why I do this to myself. I’m trying to get her worked up, but it only encourages my cock more.

“Apparently not. Guess you’ll have to show me who’s boss some other time.”

“Damn, girl. You’re what he needs in his life. Someone to remind him where his place is.”

I’m sure Silas means nothing by it—no one else knows about Juli’s investment but me and Preston—but his comment doesn’t sit well.

“I’ll be back.”

The words aren’t out of my mouth before I’m walking away, leaving Juli to fend for herself with the guys. She’s already proven she can do it—fitting right in with the other two owners—and the previews have ended, the movie starting.

I wander for a bit, trying to get a hold of my unruly emotions. Every once in a while, I let the fact she fronted the money eat away at me, if only for a bit before I come to my senses. It came from a place of good, and without it, I wouldn’t be here. Heck, no way our paths would have crossed again if I weren’t working at Whispering Tide. I remind myself of this every time my mind gets carried away. When it tries to tell me I’m not good enough for Juli. That I’ll never be good enough for her.

“Hey.”

I don’t realize she’s behind me until her voice sounds in my ear. With a deep breath in and out, I turn around.

She steps closer, starting right in. “I get it, Cameron. I do. I don’t expect you to forget about it overnight. It’s going to take time.” I love and hate how she knows me so well, knows exactly why I got up and needed to leave. “Several weeks isn’t enough, but I’m not going anywhere. Not now, not ever.”

“You can’t . . .”

Stepping into my space, she puts her hand on my chest. “I can say that with certainty. I’m here. With you. For whatever comes our way. No matter what.”

“It won’t be easy.” I’m not sure why I say that. Life is never easy, nor would I want it to be. It would be boring.

“I didn’t sign up for easy. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard, either. The opposite of easy doesn’t have to be hard. There’s a lot of middle ground. That’s where I want to be with you.” She pauses, her head tilting, her bottom lip tucked into her teeth. “We’ve done a pretty good job of finding it so far.”

“It’s been three weeks,” I protest.

Her head shakes in refusal. “It’s been fourteen years. Neither of us knew it. I was always looking for exactly what you’ve given me—the man who supports my dreams, the one who doesn’t snub my towel idiosyncrasy.” A snort escapes, but it doesn’t deter her. “Someone who loves me for me, for what I bring to the table, even if it’s more than he can offer me. Because in the end, I want someone to share my life with. For me, that someone is you.”

Her speech tears down all my walls, even the ones trying to be rebuilt with stronger material like mortar.

Without thinking, I divulge, “I want to be that someone for you, Juli.”

A smile cracks her expression. “Great.” Her arms wrap around my torso. “Your friends are the best. Even when they’re ragging on you. Shows how much they care.”

It’s my turn to take another breath. My eyes scan the view from where we stand, taking in the palm trees illuminated by the lights on the beach. “This place . . .” I trail off, not able to put my feelings into words. At least not without being a total sap. “It’s given me everything. A job I love. Financial stability. The best friends. And now you.” My fingers brush away a wayward strand from her cheek. “It always comes back to you, Juliana.”

“Good. For me, too. It always came back to you, Came.”

My derisive laugh echoes around us. “Will I ever live that nickname down?”