Page 646 of Manhattan Bossholes

She bit her lip and stared at the treehouse.

“I jumped on the excuse to run away from what you made me feel because I was afraid that love would hurt me again the way it did with Carolina. But you know what? We all have been wounded by love. I knew I was falling for you, but I didn’t want to admit it. I fought it. And all it did was hurt me even more. Because I lost you, and I thought it was too late to make things right. That’s why I’m so happy you’re here, Felicity. So I can say something I should’ve said ages ago.”

The tears were now flowing silently down her cheeks. She sniffled and looked up at me with a heartbreakingly open expression.

I took Felicity’s hands in mine. “I need you to know that I fell in love with you.”

Her body hunched with a tiny sob, and she brought her hand up to her mouth.

“There’s more.” I reached into my jacket pocket. “I want to make a promise to you, using this ring. I had Clara design it just for you.” I held up the delicate platinum band set with diamonds that looked like constellations in the night sky, and Felicity gasped. “This is a symbol of my promise to wait for you as long as you need. Until you you’re sure you know you can count on me, always. You can wear this ring on your right hand, and when I’ve finally convinced you that I’ll do anything for you—that I’ll put in the work and stay right by your side forever—switch it to your left.”

I held the band out to her so she could put it on herself. It wasn’t an engagement ring, so it wouldn’t feel right slipping it on her finger.

Hopefully that day would come very soon.

“Cameron,” she whispered, staring at the sparkly band and then up at me. “It’s stunning. But…I have to be completely honest with you. I’m just not sure yet. No matter what you say now, I’m still worried that when things get tough, you’ll walk away.” Her bottom lip trembled. “Like before.”

I steeled my heart. I knew she’d react this way. I was ready.

“I understand. And I’m going to do everything I can to prove you’re wrong. Including making myself accountable.”

I stood up and walked over to balance my phone on the treehouse ledge, so that I was framed on screen. Felicity was out of the shot but could see what I was doing. I wasn’t much for social media, but I’d figured out the basics of the Veritique social media accounts. I navigated to the proper app, took a deep breath, and pushed the “live” button.

“Hey, Veritique friends, it’s me, Cameron O’Connor coming to you live for the first time ever. I’m sure many of you recognize me from the CamLicity stuff.” I struggled to maintain a neutral expression. “I wanted to first apologize for how things went a few weeks ago. I behaved badly. No, let’s be honest. I acted like an asshole, and I hurt someone I care about.”

I paused a beat and watched as the viewer number quadrupled by the second. I glanced over at Felicity, and she was gazing at me with her mouth hanging open and her eyes shiny with tears.

“I take full responsibility. I’ll admit I have some baggage, and it made it hard for me to handle my feelings in a healthy way. My past made me afraid of love, and that fear made me lash out. But I don’t want to be afraid anymore, so there’s something I need to say. I’m in love with Felicity Rhodes. Did you hear that? I’ll say it again.” I caught her eye and held her gaze. “I love Felicity. And that love has made me stronger—strong enough to face any of the challenges that might come and to see them through. Because the love I hope I’ll be rewarded with in return will be worth it.”

I expected to feel buzzed and jittery as I confessed my feelings, but I was totally calm.

Because I knew every word I was saying was true.

I glanced at my viewer count and nearly choked at the number. Was the entire world watching me? The comments were flying so quickly it was impossible to read them, but there was no missing the nonstop hearts and kissy emojis crowding the right side of the screen.

“That’s everything I wanted to say,” I continued. “Thanks for listening, I hope I’ll have an update for you⁠—”

I felt a hand slip up my back, and before I could even pause to think, Felicity was kissing me, hard.

I pulled her closer, circling my arms around her waist and lifting her into the air as our mouths connected. It was the sweetest kiss I’d ever known.

It was proof that I’d won my Felicity back.

She finally pulled away from me as I set her down on the ground. Felicity placed her palm against my cheek.

“I can’t believe I waited so long to say it, but I love you too, Cameron. So much.”

We crashed against each other again and within seconds all I could think about was getting her home and making love to her. My hands roamed her back and slipped lower, and right as I grasped her perfect ass, I remembered that we were still being watched.

“We have an audience,” I murmured against her mouth.

She started laughing, which made me laugh too. We pulled apart reluctantly.

“Hi everyone,” Felicity waved at the camera. “We have to go now, we have a very important, uh, business meeting we need to attend.”

I growled softly against her ear, making her laugh again. She pushed the “end” button on my phone.

“Look,” she said simply, holding up her left hand.