Page 56 of Promise To Marry You
“I think you should stay,” I purr in response. “You haven’t watched me on the hoop in a while. Did you know I learned a few burlesque style routines?”
His eyes grow even darker. “I can’t fuck you in the studio, Cam, or you might not be allowed back.”
I wink at him. “Then consider this my version of foreplay for when we get home.”
With that, I drop from his arms, and strut over to the hoop. Giving it a spin, I grin in anticipation. Then I lift myself into the air, wrapping my leg around the hoop and arching back as it starts to move.
For a moment, I let myself just feel out the hoop, let my body remember the motions and sensations of floating in the air with just a thin hoop supporting me. But eventually, my eyes open, and I instantly find Beckett’s gaze locked on me.
This is going to be fun.
Chapter twenty-seven
Cam
When Kat texted this morning, asking if I wanted to hang out, it was an easy yes. I am finally realizing that part of the gift Beckett gives me by being in my life and holding my heart is his family.
When he says I’m not alone, he means I have more than just him.
And it took me far too long to realize that.
“Hey Cam, thanks for coming,” Kat says as soon as she opens the door to her house. “I’ve got lunch waiting out back with some hard ciders from a new cidery that opened recently.”
“Cidery?” I ask, following her through to her kitchen.
“Yeah, oh man, it’s so good. I hope you like it.” She ushers me out onto the deck with a formal-looking wave. Is she nervous? Am I nervous? It feels a little weird, that’s for sure.
Outside, we sit down to plates full of a delicious-looking salad with pecans, feta, and berries on top. Kat hands me a cider, and we twist off the tops before clinking our bottles together and taking a drink.
My eyes widen at the crisp, fresh taste of apple and citrus. It’s an intriguing combination and fucking delicious. “Wow.”
“Right?” Kat takes another drink before setting hers down. “It’s fruity and refreshing, and I’m officially obsessed. They’re apparently looking to open a restaurant attached to the cidery so they can start offering food and tours. It’s just outside of town, on the way to Westport.”
I nod along with her, taking another sip myself. “It’s really good. I haven’t had a lot of cider, but this is great.”
“Glad you like it. I thought you would, but you never really know someone’s drink preferences, you know?”
“Definitely not a common conversation starter.” I shift in my seat. It’s starting to feel like we’re spending too much time talking about cider and drink preferences, and it’s making me nervous. I want Kat to like me, and if she feels as awkward as I do right now, that won’t happen.
“Okay, does this feel like a first date going off the rails with small talk to you, or is it just me?”
Kat’s bold admission has me snorting back a laugh. “Not just you, thank fuck. I was just thinking the same thing.”
We both laugh, and the strange tension dissipates.
“How are you settling into Dogwood Cove? I overheard the mayor talking in The Nutty Muffin the other day, raving about the mural. I haven’t had a chance to take a look yet, but I want to.”
A genuine smile crosses my face. “Honestly? I love it here. I always have. It’s easy to picture myself staying here.”
Kat claps her hands together, then drops them with a guilty look on her face. “Sorry, that was too much. I shouldn’t be that excited to hear you say that, but I am.”
I tilt my head at her. “What do you mean?”
She bites at her lip, then shrugs. “From the little Beckett’s told us, you’ve got a lot of decisions to make about where to go from here, and with that layered on top of grief, I can’t begin to imagine what’s going through your head. The last thing we want to do is add to the pressure by trying to convince you to stay.”
I’m pretty sure part of me melts at the sincere concern and compassion I hear in her words. Kat Donnelly is truly a good person, just like her brother.
“But also, my brothers mean everything to me. And the women they choose to be with are important to me by extension. I hope I’m not putting my foot in my mouth by saying this, but it seems like things are getting serious with you and Beck, so I figured it was time to hang out. Plus,” Kat’s eyes drop to the floor “I really do want you to stay. You’ve always seemed like such a cool person, someone I’ve really wanted to get to know, but when you lived in Manitoba it seemed pointless. But now…” Her eyes lift back to mine and they’re shining with hope. “Now, even though I don’t want to push you,” she holds her hands up in front of her. “I won’t lie and say I’m not seriously hoping you decide to stay and we can keep building a friendship.”
