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Cam
My pulse races. I have rehearsed what I want to say a thousand times but now I’m at the Oak River library, all words have evaporated from my mind. I hope Molly is alone. I hadn’t considered the presence of library visitors, which is idiotic because a library is fully public. And it’s Molly’s workplace. But I’m here now, so here goes.
I push open the main door and step inside. All is quiet. Not surprising really: it’s a library. Then I hear Molly say that the library is closing soon, and I see her stand up between some bookshelves. I walk over and tell her that she’s the reason I’m back in Oak River. I’m about to say I love her when someone comes in and interrupts.
Molly puts her hand to her mouth to squash her giggles, then says with firm authority, “Sorry, we’re closed! Can you come back tomorrow? We’re open from nine.”
Whoever it is mutters something then backs out of the library and closes the door.
“Give me one second,” says Molly rushing off to the office where she grabs her bag, locking the door behind her. “Let’s go before anyone else comes in.”
Outside on the street, the evening light is soft on Molly’s skin and flickers flame in her auburn hair. She locks the library door with a satisfying clunk. Then she looks at the ground. A car passes. There’s no one else around.
“Cam. Listen.” Molly looks into my eyes. “I’m sorry I said those things that day in your front yard.” She reaches for my hand. “I didn’t mean any of it… You’re not selfish and you’re not arrogant. I just…” I give Molly time to finish her sentence. “I just felt that… Cam. I was defensive because you were right.” Molly looks away over my shoulder. “I did, stupidly, have an idea that, perhaps, there was more going on with us than just friends. And I’m sorry I reacted the way I did… I’m an idiot and I apologize.”
I slowly shake my head and smile.
“You’re not an idiot.” I step closer. “And I… I’ve missed you.” Another car passes. Molly searches my face. I look deep into her eyes.
“I’ve missed you too,” she says holding my gaze.
I wrap my arms around Molly and, pulling her to me, I bend down to gently kiss her lips. It’s the moment I have waited for. My heart pounds and a wave of warmth enfolds me. Molly relaxes into my embrace, our kiss deepens, and I am swept away in a torrent of emotion. Time stands still and I’m lost in the moment.
“Get a room!” someone shouts close by, which breaks our kiss apart. We laugh. Molly steps back and folds her arms across her chest.
“Well, that was unexpected, Mr Wickham,” Molly says smiling up at me.
“Was it? Actually, if I’m honest, I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I first saw you at the pretend fire at the car yard.”
Molly looks puzzled.
“But you were always so distant. You said that we were just friends. We were neighbors and…”
“Molly. I was protecting myself.” I take both her hands in mine and lift them to my lips. “I was a fool. And I was scared. Not brave at all. The last thing I wanted was to create ties here because my time in Oak River was always going to be temporary. But when I drove back to Richmond, it was so unreal. Everything about my life there didn’t make any sense.” I shake my head and look at the ground. “It’s you, Molly. You are the reason I came back. I’ve been kidding myself the whole time that I don’t have feelings for you when it’s so obvious that I do.”
Molly reaches up and touches my face.
“You are such an idiot.”
“Yes. Thanks for pointing that out. I am.” I bend down and kiss Molly again. She reaches her hand around my neck and pulls me to her with a sudden urgency, igniting my passion. The kiss goes on until a car beeps its horn causing Molly to giggle again.
“There’s something else,” I say breathing into Molly’s hair that smells of strawberries.
“Oh yeah. What?” Molly pulls away and looks into my eyes, searching.
“Look. Nothing’s final. And I haven’t heard back yet, but Dex has resigned as fire chief here in Oak River and I’ve applied for his job.”
Molly doesn’t say anything. She squeals with delight, reaches a hand either side of my face, and covers me with kisses.
After a few more kisses I continue.
“But it doesn’t matter to me if I get the job or not. I’m moving to Oak River. My place is here with you. So, Molly Ryan, if you don’t see a future with me, you’d better tell me now and I will leave forever.”
Molly steps away and then turns to face me, square on.
“Cam Wickham. You are the most wonderful man I have ever met. And if you even try and leave here again, I will hunt you down. You are not getting away this time.”
I pull Molly to me and squeeze her tight. Then we kiss again, a long, slow wonderful kiss until Molly nuzzles her face into my chest and breathes deeply, wrapping her arms around me.
