Page 83 of Curious
“You guys are over the top,” I say. “You know that? This is too much.”
“It’s not enough,” Alden says.
“And what are you going to do about Cam?” August asks. “Do you still feel like you have to leave him?”
“Or can you let him show you every day how much he loves you?” Reyna asks.
I smile, even though it’s a little watery. But I feel like a dam burst. Or something. I know I’ve been in my own way, and I’m going to try to stop. So I gather my courage and say, “I’m willing to do that.”
A low cheer goes up, and it makes me warm inside. “You’re going to take it one day at a time with him?” Alden asks.
“Yeah. Yes. Definitely,” I say. And saying it makes my heart soar. “Because yes, I do want to stay with Cam. And if I don’t have to have everything planned out until the end of time but can just trust that who we are for each other right now is enough—and is growing every day—then that … that, I can live with.”
“Good man,” Danny says.
Charlie frowns at a text on his phone. “Also, we need to adjourn this meeting. There’s someone I want you to talk to.”
I glance at him warily. “Are you going to tell me? Is it Cam?”
“No.”
“No to which?” I ask.
Charlie raises an eyebrow. “You’ll have to find out.”
God, he’s frustrating. I sigh loudly and stand. Before heading to the door, I pause and look around the room again. “I love you guys so much. Thank you for doing this.”
I get a chorus of “You’re welcome” and “We love you” and “You deserve all the best.” I need to skedaddle before I start crying again.
As I head toward my desk, Charlie puts a hand at the small of my back, I guess to make sure I don’t make a break for it.
“Who is it you want me to talk to?” I grumble. I’m scared it’s going to be Cam. I’m scared it’s going to be someone else.
I round the corner, everyone trailing behind me, and Camden Cooper, the love of my life, is standing in the reception area, looking distinctly out of place against the building’s glossy surfaces. He’s facing away from us, wearing a flannel and ripped jeans, and his curls are crushed under a backward baseball cap. His boots are scuffed.
He’s never looked better.
Cam turns, and I see he’s holding a bouquet of pink roses. And then I notice his smile. At first it’s nervous, but it quickly broadens.
“Shelby,” he rasps.
I can’t help it. I run to him. He holds his arms out, and I slam into his chest so hard he stumbles. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “Your ankle.”
“All healed,” he whispers against my cheek. “And sorry I’m not dressed up. I just couldn’t wait a minute longer.”
And then he’s kissing me in front of the whole office. There’s a round of applause, but someone, I think Charlie, shushes them. A moment later—too soon—Cam pulls back and hands me the roses.
Then he drops to one knee and holds out a ring box.
CHAPTER27
Camden
Shelby gasps, the hand that isn’t holding the bouquet flying to his mouth.
I feel like I’m putting everything on the line yet again, and I’m hoping that Reyna’s plan to gather all Shelby’s friends and talk with him has helped. If Shelby will let me, I’m going to tell him every day for the rest of my life how much he matters to me. How much I love him.
Might as well start now.
