Page 157 of Close Knit

“You have it. You have me. Always,” he says, his voice ringing with conviction.

We kiss, and it’s like a thousand tiny fireworks explode in the most delightful way. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk hums around us, the laughter from the roller coasters and the salty ocean air blending into a perfect symphony.

My trusty green bench, the one that’s been a silent witness to all my dramatic monologues and tear-filled moments, now gets to see this burst of happiness.

His lips are soft and warm, moving with a tenderness that makes my heart do an actual gymnastics routine. I feel the promise of new beginnings and the comforting realization that maybe we’re finally on the right path.

“I want to go back home,” I murmur, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.

“I want that too,” he replies, his gaze steady and full of affection.

“I can’t yet, though. There’s stuff going on here that I need to wrap up,” I say, a twinge of regret in my voice. “AndLust Islandis flying me out for the premiere next week. But I can come to your final game,” I explain, feeling this weird mix of excitement and responsibility. “We can press play on us then.”

“I’d love that,” he says, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. He takes my hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Daphne Quinn. For everything.”

His apology, sincere and heartfelt, dissolves the last of my defenses. I pull him close, feeling our hearts sync up like a perfectly choreographed dance number. “You’ve really leveled up your apology game.” I giggle.

“Does that mean you forgive me?” he asks.

“I do,” I say, unable to hide my smile.

“Then there’s one last thing I need to do.” He grabs my hand, and I can feel my cheeks heating up. “Duck, will you be my girlfriend?”

“For real?”

“For real.”

“Well, in that case, of course, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

I kiss him hard. I kiss him like I’m trying to make up for every second we spent apart, every second we weren’t together. The warmth in my chest fills me with joy and hope, like I’ve just discovered the meaning of life in a really soft cardigan.

“Now, how about we ride a roller coaster?” he asks, grinning like he’s just invented fun.

“What?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Who are you, and what have you done with Cameron?”

“I mean it! Let’s go have some fun. It’s what we do best, remember?” he says. “Say yes.”

“All right, but if I scream, you owe me ice cream,” I declare, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. “And if we’re giving this a shot, then everything is one giant yes, okay? One giant Yes Life.”

“A Yes Life. Deal.”

“Deal. Now let’s go find the craziest roller coaster out there.” And with that, we’re off, laughing like kids who just discovered their parents’ candy stash.

Maybe second chances are just chances, and maybe we all take steps forward and back, but we can’t be big all the time. If Cameron’s learning that it’s okay to be small, then I can rely on him to be any size with me, and I can be any size with him.

Chapter 46

Cameron

May22

Lust IslandPremieres Tonight, Featuring Daphne Quinn and Georgia Woods’s Anti-Bullying Knitting Initiative

May28

Mateo Rossi Faces Pressure to “Reevaluate His Tactics” or Step Down, as Told by Inside Sources

I’m sittingon the bench in the guest locker room at Overton Stadium, lacing up my cleats. Never had I imagined when I returned to this place, after all that’s happened, that I’d feel so differently than the last time I was here.

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