“It’s the pictures from Sadie!”
“No way!” Bella immediately got up from her side of the table and joined me on my side. “Show me, show me, show me!”
I pushed her playfully. “Working on it!”
First, we looked at the free downloads, and they took my breath away. One picture was of us on the steps of the porch of the mansion—ourmansion as we referred to it now—sitting next to each other and laughing. Another photo was of us rolling down the hill, laughing our asses off. And the last two pictures were of our first kiss, a picture I knew I’d cherish forever. The last picture was of me dipping Bella down, huge grins on our faces, as we stood in the pond.
“There are fucking phenomenal,” Bella whispered to me.
I locked my phone and placed it face down on the table. “Let’s look at the rest and order some prints when we get home?”
Bella blushed and nodded, then planted a tender kiss on my lips. “I love you, Camilla.”
“I love you, too, Bella baby.”
“Thank goodness for Sadie’s Strangers,” Bella said after letting out a contented sigh. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
I squeezed her hand underneath the table. “You, Bella, would have been absolutely fine, no matter what.”
“Sure. But my life is a million times better with you in it, Cammy.”
“Mine, too. And you know what I’m looking forward to?” I asked.
“What?”
I grinned devilishly. “I cannotwaitto show these photos off at our wedding someday.”
Bella’s eyes grew wide. “You so sure that’ll happen, Cam?”
I leaned into her and caressed her throat with my hand. “Absolutely.”
CHAPTER 01
Leaves tumbled along the sidewalk as I dashed my way through another gust of wind. Conversations and music burst into my ears as I shoved the door open, nearly running straight into a younger couple attempting to leave.
“Sorry.” I muttered under my breath as soon as the woman cast me a twisted expression.
It didn’t matter. The day had already gone as any other day lately had gone. Nothing could make my luck shift.
“Vodka Tonic.” I ordered as soon as my purse hit the bar top.
“I thought you died.” Kathryn glanced over at me without turning her body away from the plate of nachos in front of her at the bar. “Between ignoring all my texts and sending me to voicemail.”
“I’m sorry. I know. I had to drop Kendall off at a friend's last minute. You know how he is about the car.” I apologized, then thanked the bartender with a silent smile as he placed the Vodka Tonic between us.
Kathryn squinted and slowly turned her stool to face me. Knowing where that suspicious look already was headed, I ignored my dainty straw and swallowed half of my drink.
“I thought you had a date? This was supposed to be your after date debrief.” She leaned over and smacked my thigh. “Eloise! Tell me you went to the restaurant.”
“I went to the restaurant.” I confirmed.
Her hard brown eyes bore into mine.
“And then I got thinking . . .”
“You cunt.” Kathryn swatted my thigh again. “I told you to put that brain away. How are you ever going to get laid again if you can’t get over yourself?”
“Kendall and I are happy. We’re in a good place. He worked all summer and made his school’s colorguard. I’m doing alright with work. We’re in a good place. Why disturb that?”
