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“Just like your mom and dad. Mark told me once he looked at your mom and knew she was it for him.”
Shea nods just as Owen says, “You guys have set the standard for how to be in a relationship, Dad. And now I know it came from Grandma and Grandpa.”
Shea swallows thickly as his eyes lock with Elli’s. “Your mom makes it pretty easy for me.”
My eyes itch with tears as I look toward Cameron to find her watching me. I hold out my hand, and she takes it before I curl her into my arms, kissing her cheek. She makes it easy, way too damn easy. She didn’t even think twice; she just packed and got on the plane. I tried to talk her out of coming since she has a meet this weekend, but there was no deterring her. Callie missed it too, though their coach was very supportive. They both haven’t missed a meet since being on the team, and really, what’s one meet?
Especially when they want to be there for Evan and me.
Against her ear, I whisper, “I’m so thankful you’re here.”
She leans into my cheek before tipping her head back to meet my gaze. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“You could be at your meet.”
She shakes her head. “I’m where I want to be.”
“You worked hard to compete that vault.”
Cameron’s lips press to my chin before her eyes meet mine once more. “And I wouldn’t want to stick it without you there to see.”
My soul sings for this girl. I kiss her, and her fingers dance along my jaw. I press my nose into hers, and she whispers, “I love you.”
I swear, each time she says it makes me feel like it’s the first time. Against her lips, I say, “I love you, my love.”
Her eyes flutter open to meet mine, and love flows between us.
“I think my favorite memory of Grandma is from my wedding,” Posey says, drawing all the attention to her. “She told me the key to a successful marriage is giving a lot of head.”
Stunned silence fills the room, and then Boon nods, heat visible in his eyes for his wife. “Wisest woman I’ve ever known.”
With that, we’re all laughing so hard, we’re crying. I wipe my eyes as I look up at the ceiling, sending a silent prayer to the heavens above to protect the two people who have taught us to love the way we do. When a melody starts to play, I look over to the piano where Evan sits, running his fingers along the keys. Quinn gets up and goes over, playing too until the song registers in my head.
Tears burn my eyes, and I whisper roughly in Cameron’s ear, “Jenna and Mark danced to this at Owen’s wedding.”
Her breath catches as Shea stands, bringing Elli with him before embracing her and swaying to the melody of “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.” When Shelli starts to sing like the angel she is, I nuzzle my nose in Cameron’s neck. I close my eyes when Evan and Quinn join Shelli’s hypnotic voice. Cameron turns in my hold, wrapping her arms around my neck, and we sway as my family sings for two people who left us way too early. I slide my hands down her back, cupping her hips in my hands to bring her in closer. She tips her head back, her eyes locking with mine as I sing the words to her.
Falling ever so much more in love with her.
She didn’t have to be here. She didn’t have to miss her meet or push back classes, but she did it without hesitation. For me. Her mouth parts as she gazes into my eyes, her own lips forming the words just for me. I cup her jaw in my hand before bringing her back close to me, our foreheads pressing together. Our heated gazes don’t falter, and I can feel her heart slamming into her chest. I know mine matches hers, and ahfuckbuddy, I love her.
“Be mine forever,” I say, not as a question, but as a promise.
Without hesitation, she says, “Done.”
I feel like I’m flying as I drop my lips to hers, but before I’m able to deepen the kiss, the music cuts off abruptly. I look up to find out why.
Emery Brooks stands in the doorway.
Her eyes solely on Quinn.
Oh. Fuck.
Chapter Forty-Five
Benson
I feel like I’m watching an outtake of The Notebook.
And no, I’m not ashamed I’ve seen that movie.
Emery breathes in deeply, tears streaming down her face as her eyes stay locked with Quinn’s. He slowly stands, and I can’t accurately read the expression on his face. He’s somewhere between shocked and fucking wrecked. Thank God Ava didn’t come—which I have feelings about, but Quinn told me to let it go, so I did.
But that doesn’t mean my dislike for her hasn’t grown. It has. A lot.
