Page 89 of Caught in the Middle

“We already know you fit right in,” the woman said with such authority that Emma sagged with relief. She’d been nervous about meeting them in person, especially without Cam as a buffer. Now she knew she had nothing to worry about, especially if they already accepted her ridiculous plans and decisions.

“Hey,” a feminine voice called. “We’re here!” A few moments later a brunette walked in, the picture of stunning confidence, with a man trailing behind her.

Emma would’ve known them based on the actor’s recognizable face, but she knew it was Slone due to the number of times she’d looked at Cam’s photos at this point. She should probably feel like a stalker, but instead, it made her feel relieved to know who was surprising them.

“What are you doing here?” Katie asked.

“We’re not going to let you have all the fun.” Slone hugged her friend and then turned toward Emma, who felt like the woman was quickly sizing her up before a smile spread across her face. The next thing Emma knew she was also in that embrace, and a sense of welcome and belonging warmed her.

Slone released her from the hug. “It’s great to meet you.”

“You too,” Emma said, feeling a bit awkward at meeting more of Cam’s friends whenever they hadn’t even spoken since that beach hotel.

“I tried telling her we could wait until tomorrow, but she wouldn’t listen,” Derek said, not sounding sorry at all.

“Oh please,” Katie said. “You were probably the first one in the car telling her to hurry.”

Slone let out a laugh. “That’s not far from the truth.” Emma noticed how her hand went to her stomach, remembering what Cam told her about them becoming parents. She already knew their baby was going to be well-loved and welcomed into this world.

Slone’s phone started ringing. “That’s probably Phoenix or Annika. They should be here soon.”

Emma paled. “Do you all have plans, too?” she asked.

Slone looked at her like that was an absurd question, then she answered the call saying, “We’re in the private room in the back,” before hanging up. She came to stand next to Emma, sliding her arm through hers and smiling. “Welcome to the family, Emma.”

She didn’t remove her arm from Slone’s, but she did square her shoulders as she asked the question that she had to know. “Why? Why help me and be here for this?” she asked. “I mean, didn’t Cam tell you how badly I screwed him over and took him for granted?”

Katie stepped up next to Nate as she wrapped her arm around his waist. “I take it that Cam didn’t tell you all the details of our relationships,” she said.

Emma’s brows narrowed, but Derek spoke up, though his eyes were on his wife as a look that could only be described as love graced his face. “Let’s just say none of us are perfect either.”

Slone gave her arm a squeeze. “Once you and Cam get yourselves all patched up, we’ll give you the fun and gritty details of our adventures.”

Emma felt something like relief start to sink in and then she heard the rest of their group before she saw them. Men and women both.

Well, she thought, it looked like today was the day she would be meeting everyone, and if she was hoping to make a grand gesture, then the more the merrier she supposed.

???

Leo’s was lively tonight, Cam noticed, as he walked through the front door. It wasn’t surprising since it was a Friday night, and he’d bet the hotel it was connected to was just as booked up. He approached the host at the podium, a familiar face from how many times he’d been here.

“Hey Paul, how’s it going?”

“As good as ever,” the man answered. “I think I’ll be tired of standing by the end of the night though.”

Cam chuckled. “Looks like you have a busy one ahead of you.” Paul nodded, taking a glance across the dining room at the full tables. “Where are they seated tonight?” Cam asked, also browsing the room for his friends.

“The event room,” Paul said.

Cam’s head went back in surprise. That’s unlike them. Normally, Nate only lets big groups hold that room. He’d never reserve it for them. He thanked the host and made his way through the tables and to the private room in the back, spotting the closed sliding doors in the middle. Maybe his friends knew what a trying week this had been and decided to get him back to the norm in small steps.

However, this felt more than unnecessary. He had a broken heart, not a phobia of crowded restaurants. He planned on giving Nate crap about it once he saw him. But the moment he slid one of the doors open and stepped inside the room, his thoughts and remarks died on his tongue.

Emma swallowed, refusing to sink within herself as she saw Cam freeze in the doorway, his eyes meeting hers from across the room.

The giant space had been cleared of the typical row of tables for large groups, and instead held a single table with two chairs, the rest used to spread around the edges of the room, each holding candles and flowers to create an ambiance like she’d never experienced before.

It was romantic, a gesture she was hoping Cam would appreciate.

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