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Shoving socks and underwear into my suitcase, I zip up the bag and wheel out of the bedroom without abackward glance. I grab my wallet and keys, then lock up the house behind me and race out to the Rover.
If I hurry, I can swing by the library and say bye to Sloane.
Throwing the car in reverse, I zoom out of the driveway and down the gravel road, white puffs of dust swirling behind me. I floor the gas and push the Rover as fast as I dare, all the while watching for cops.
Ten minutes later, I’m in town and let up on the speed. I make a hard right into the library parking lot and slam into the first open spot I find. I need to make this quick, but I couldn’t leave town without seeing her.
I jog through the glass doors, heading straight to the Children’s Department. But she’s not behind the desk. Scanning the stacks, I don’t see her anywhere.
Book Club.
Sloane’s running the Romance Book Club right now. Obviously not in the Children’s Department.
I pivot and head back to the front desk. There’s a line and the woman in front of me has at least twenty books. That’s gotta be the library maximum.
Abandoning this strategy, I stride through the quiet rooms, searching for the book club. Laughter spills from one of the conference rooms in the back and I follow the happy noises.
And there’s Sloane, sitting at the top of a circle of women—most of them gray-haired—a slight pink flush on her dewy skin. She’s absolutely radiant. I want to stand here and watch her in her element all day, but I do not have time for that.
Ms. Mabel glances up and catches sight of me and she elbows Sloane. Sloane’s eyes lift to mine and widen, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O.’
“Cam! Are you here for the book club?” Ms. Mabel asks, waving me over to the circle.
“I’m afraid not, ma’am. I’m headed out to the airport. May I borrow Sloane for one quick second?”
“Certainly. Ladies, let’s chat about that part when he meets her family.” Ms. Mabel flips through her book, searching for the part while discreetly nudging Sloane out of her chair.
Sloane doesn’t hesitate, hopping up and hurrying over, taking me by the arm and leading me away from the group.
“Cam! I didn’t think you’d have time to stop in.” Up close, her eyes shimmer in the fluorescent lights.
“I don’t. But I couldn’t leave town without saying bye.” I trail my finger down her jawline. “And I love you.”
Dipping down, I brush my lips against hers softly. A tiny mewl sounds low in her throat and I wish we had more time.
“I love you too.” She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me deeper. I inhale her sweet scent and all her goodness, trying to memorize every curve and line.
“I’ll miss you. But I’ll be back soon.” I swallow hard over my dry throat, run my thumb across her lower lip.
She presses her palm to my chest, resting her hand over my heart. “Promise?”
“Promise.” I kiss her one last time, long and hard, before pulling away. “I’ll call you.”
Then I jog out of the library, praying there’s no traffic, an open parking spot, and the security line moves with some semblance of speed because I cannot afford to miss this flight.
CHAPTER 33
SLOANE
Cam’s gone and I miss him so much it hurts.
I miss talking to him, laughing with him.
Miss the way he smells after a shower, his smile when he rolls over and sees me first thing in the morning. Like he’s pleasantly surprised to find me there.
Miss the taste of him on my lips, the touch of his hands on my skin, the way he takes me up to the highest peak and then falls over the edge with me, crashing together.
The day he leaves, Gracelyn and I hit up the Burger Basket, but all I can think about is the night Cam and I came here after the bonfire. How much fun we had together and how I wish he was with me now.
