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We exit out of the apartment bedroom and are greeted by a pacing Garrett. “What took you guys so long? Cam has already texted me three times trying to figure out when we’re going to show up.”
“Relax,” I dismiss him as I pad over to the entryway closet to dig out a pair of my black Jimmy Choos. “It’s just a small get-together. It’s not a big deal at all. If we’re fashionably late, they won’t care. Besides, if I showed up early, they might worry about my well-being.”
Brittany snorts from behind me. “The life of a pampered NHL girlfriend.”
“Says the pampered girlfriend of a billionaire businessman.”
Brittany giggles and reaches for her purse from the arm of the couch. “I seriously can’t believe how much has changed for us in the last year.”
“Someone is feeling nostalgic,” Garrett muses, sliding his arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her temple. “I kind of like it.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I have to admit that when I think back to where we were a year ago, it’s hard to believe where we are now. It’s nice though. It’s nice to have friends that feel like family.”
“We are family.” Brittany gives me a soft smile. “And I like it.”
“Me, too.” I return the smile and lead the way to the front door of my apartment. My lease will be up in six months, and I won’t lie, I’m tempted to bring up the conversation with Cam—just to see where his head is at when it comes to us. I don’t know that I would’ve married him right off the bat, but it didn’t take me long to realize that it was meant to be between us.
And I’ve never second-guessed it since.
Cam is the most amazing man I’ve ever known. Not only is he a wonderful partner, but he’s incredibly supportive. My career is absolutely thriving. And thanks to Cam’s positive influence on my life, I’ve gotten much better at balancing and making time for the things that truly matter. It also helps that the majority of my work can be done remotely from anywhere.
I hold onto the railing as I descend the steps, Garrett’s rented Mercedes parked right out front of my place. Atlanta feels a lot like home now, though I have to admit, I’m pretty sure it has a lot more to do with Cam than anything else.
I can go anywhere with him, and I still feel like I’m home.
“I’ll ride in the back,” I say to the two of them behind me. They’re talking in low voices. I raise an eyebrow at the couple. “Did you hear me?”
Brittany whips her head in my direction. “Um, yeah. Of course, sorry. I was just trying to figure out the directions to Cam’s from here.”
I make a funny face at her. “You act like we haven’t made the drive a hundred times.”
She smiles, a strange twinkle in her eye. “Well, tonight just feels a little different.”
I mull the thought over and then shrug it off. All I know is that I’ve got a feeling in my stomach that it’s going to be a good night.
Cameron
“My hands are sweating so bad.” I groan, pacing the floor of my bedroom. “What if she doesn’t like this? What if she says no? What if it’s not romantic enough?”
“Dude, you hired her favorite band. There are fireworks. The backyard looks like an entirely different place.” Kade places both hands on my shoulders. “You got this.”
I nod. “You’re right. It just seems like I don’t.”
“But you do,” Dad says, leaning against the wall. “She’s going to say yes. She’s going to love it—and we’re going to all laugh about this moment at your wedding.”
“Everyone gets this nervous proposing,” Dylan adds, folding his arms across his chest. “Not that I know from personal experience, but yeah.”
My gaze darts over to him, scrutinizing the look on his face. “If you say so.” He’s been different lately. Maybe even a little elusive. I’m pretty sure there’s a girl involved. I just don’t know who—yet.
“Are we ready?” Blaze peeks in, looking as dapper as ever in his black pants and dress shirt. The way he’s dressed would make someone think he is the one proposing. But I don’t think that’s the case. I think he’s just spent a lot of time with Addy’s upper-crust family lately.
“When are they supposed to be here?” Kade asks. “We should probably go ahead and get in place. I mean, we all know the three of them are naturally late ... to everything. But still.”
“Right, yeah. We should go.” I nod, heading for the bedroom door. My knees feel weak, and the ring in my pocket feels like it’s burning a hole in my leg. I’ve had the ring since our three-month anniversary, but I wanted to wait until tonight.
Tonight marks one year since she showed up to the game with the cute sign.
It marks one year of her really being mine.
