Page 117 of Between Us

“How are you feeling about classes starting soon? There’s a lot of big changes coming up.” She gives me a knowing smile, but there’s no way she’s guessed why I’m here. It must be about the apartment we’re moving into at the end of the month.

Sipping my coffee and trying to relax, I answer her questions and throw in a few of mine as well—like how she’s enjoying the local hospital and flight nursing, or how Will’s summer courses are going.

Standing across from us, Will prepares the banana and strawberry waffles. Offering me a paternal smile when he catches my eye, as his wife throws her head back and laughs at something I said. Truthfully, it wasn’t nearly as funny as she lets me pretend it to be.

It’s not until about an hour later, after our food has been eaten, and our mugs of coffee sit cold next to us, that Cami finally folds her arms and assesses me. “I’ve held you hostage long enough.” I chuckle and shake my head, but I’m suddenly at a loss for words. “Is something going on with Adrian? Is that why he isn’t here?”

There is an undertone of concern to her voice, though she doesn’t look like a mother worried or anxious. If anything, she looks concerned about the relationship—like it might very well break her heart if I told her I drove all the way out there because of problems with her son.

“Adrian is okay. He’s working today,” I add quickly. I’m not sure if they know Adrian’s schedule, especially since he’s working more during the summer. “That’s partly why he isn’t here…” I trail off.

“Only part of it?” Will asks with an easy pull of his lips. His expression is mildly curious—as if he’s not sitting there guessing what I am there for but waiting to see if he is right.

I glance between them one more time before squaring my shoulders and trying to say in a strong, even voice, “I want to ask your son to marry me.”

After a couple beats of silence, Cami throws her head back and laughs. A full-belly, happy sound. Looking back to Will, he’s just sitting there shaking his head with a smile that spoke of just as much elation as his wife’s response.

“I told you this was why she texted us,” he playfully ribs his wife.

“Oh shhh,” Cami tells him. “I’ll take the fifty out of your wallet, you know.”

My brows furrow. “Wait… you guys bet on this?”

Camila turns back to me with so much affection and surety in her gaze. “We bet on who would get impatient first, yes. We never made a bet on if your love for each other is true and real.”

“We’re in perfect agreement on that,” Will added.

“So…” I start, not totally sure how to read this conversation, “you both are okay with me proposing to him? Today?”

“Today?!” Cami exclaimed, laughing again. “I guess I underestimated how impatient you are, doll.”

“We’re more than okay with this, Blake,” Will amends. “We trust both of you to make your own decisions. And we’d be honored to not only have you as a daughter-in-law, but to know our son is loved by you.”

Reaching across the table, Cami lays her hand flat and open, an invitation for me to take it. Tentatively, I slip mine into hers and she offers me a gentle squeeze. “I don’t care much for traditions. I only care that Adrian’s with someone who loves him so much they would throw their entire life off course just to be with him.” She looks over her shoulder at her husband and adds, “I know that’s the love that means the most in this life—the one we didn’t know we wanted but comes when we need it most. Adrian needed you.”

Tears are falling silently, yet heavily down my cheeks. “No, I needed him. And now… I just want him with me so badly. Every day.”

“He has no idea that today is about to be the start of his life,” she muses.

island of misfit toys

Wed, June 17 at 2:34 PM

Margo

Are you REALLY going to do it?

Meera

Of course she is

They’re SOULmates why shouldn’t she??

Margo

I didn’t say she shouldn’t!

I’m just questioning if our baby Blake has the guts to propose to arguably the second hottest guy on this planet

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