~Landon~
“Have you been eating enough?” my mother asks two weeks later as she comes out back, where Dad and I are measuring a two-by-four to cut for the covered patio we’re adding to their backyard. Or, I should say, extending the patio. Mama decided that the existing one was too small, and it needed to be enlarged now, not this spring.
I’m just thankful that we’ve had a bout of warm weather this week, so we’re not building this thing in a blizzard.
“I eat plenty,” I reply with a smile. She’s a very typical Italian woman, always trying to feed everyone. The board falls on my thumb, and I pull it against my chest, sucking in a breath. “Motherf—”
“If you finish that sentence, I’ll twist your ear right off your head,” Mama threatens, wagging her finger at me, then smiles. “Here, let me see.”
“I’m fine,” I reply, my throbbing thumb anything but fine, but I’ve had worse. “Hazard of the job.”
“Put ice on it,” she says, and pats my shoulder. “It’ll help the throb.”
“It’s not throbbing,” I lie with a mutter, and kiss her forehead before she turns around and heads back for the door.
“I’ll make sandwiches,” she says. “You’re thin.”
“I’m not thin,” I say to Dad when she’s out of earshot.
“It makes her happy to feed you,” he says, and motions for me to lift the other end of the board. “I’ve discovered that whatever makes her happy is what we do. That simple.”
“Happy wife, happy life?” I ask with a wink, and Dad nods. For a man nearing sixty, he’s in excellent shape himself, thanks to many years in the construction business.
“Nothing more true,” he says and nods. “Speaking of women, how are things with you and that pretty Cami?”
I look up, surprised, but Dad rolls his eyes. “I have eyes in my head, don’t I? And my memory is a good one. If I remember correctly, I warned you to keep your hands to yourself when she was just sixteen and you were an adult.”
“And I did what you said,” I reply. “I went off to college, and then the Navy, and I left her be to grow up.”
“Because you’re smart as well as handsome. You get the brains from your mother.” He laughs and lifts the nail gun. “How long are you home for?”
I frown and shake my head. “What do you mean? I live here.”
“For now.” He doesn’t look me in the eye as he places a board and nails it. “But I know my son. You don’t stay anywhere long. I figure it won’t be long before your wanderlust kicks in and you decide it’s time to move on.”
“I’m not leaving, Dad. The Navy moved me around—”
“Are you going to tell me that you didn’t enjoy it?” he asks.
“No. I did. But I’m not in the Navy anymore. I’m home, and I love it here. I have Cami and you guys, and I love being back in Portland.”
I stop and sigh. “I admit, it hasn’t been an easy adjustment. I loved flying, Dad.”
“I know you did.”
“I was good at it. And I felt like I was doing something good.”
“You were,” he says proudly. “But this is good too. Makes your mother happy.”
I nod. “I like it too.”
“For now.”
I shrug. “Maybe for good.”
“It’s not a bad idea to keep your options open,” Dad replies simply. “Nothing wrong with that at all. Does Cami know you’re keeping your options open?”
“I’m not keeping them open where it comes to her,” I say quickly, my voice hard. No damn way. Now that I have her, I’m not letting her go, just to watch some other asshole move in and claim her. She’s mine. “Work and women aren’t the same thing.”
“No, but women are a lot of work,” he says. “The ones worth keeping are, anyway.”
“She’s worth keeping.”
“I’ve always liked that girl. All of Mia’s friends are good girls.”
“They are.” I glance over as Mom comes outside with a plate of sandwiches. “Thanks, Mama.”
“You’re welcome,” she says, and smiles over her shoulder. I’m surprised to see Cami walk out behind her.
“Speak of the devil,” Dad says with a smile as he walks over to kiss Cami’s cheek. “We were just talking about you.”
“All good things, I hope,” she says, her gaze finding mine.
“Always good things,” Dad says. “I think I’ll wash my hands and eat my lunch inside with my beautiful bride.”
And with that, he leads Mom inside and I’m left outside with Cami.
“I’m sorry to just drop by.”
“You’re welcome to just drop by anywhere, anytime,” I reply, and pull her in for a long hug, swaying back and forth. “I’m not going to apologize for the way I smell.”
“You don’t smell bad,” she says, and buries her nose in my chest. “And you’re warm.”
“You should have worn a warmer coat.”
She shrugs. “It looked toasty out here with the sunshine.”
“It’s deceptive,” I murmur, and kiss her head. “Did you need anything in particular, or did you just want to see my manliness as I build a patio?”
She smirks and pulls back. “Your manliness is a perk.”
“Why do you sound sarcastic? Are you saying I’m not manly?” I lift an arm and flex my bicep. “Feel that.”
“You’re such a man,” she says, and feels my arm. “Very impressive.”
“Damn right.”
“I came by on my way home to see if you want to go to the movies tonight with me and Riley?”
“We can’t,” I reply, and smile when she scowls.
“We can’t?”
“No, ma’am. I have a surprise for you tonight.” I push her hair over her shoulder and kiss her cheek.
“Are you going to tell me what it is?”
“Are you not aware of what a surprise is?” I ask, and dodge to the left when she swats at my arm. “You just need to be ready by seven when I pick you up.”
“Do I need to look fancy?” she asks, worrying her bottom lip.
“You always look beautiful. Be comfortable.”
“Are we going out in public?”
“Yes,” I reply with a laugh.
“So, public comfortable. Got it.” She nods and grins. “Fun.”
“You like surprises?”
“Not usually.” She shrugs and checks the time. “But this is fun. If I’m going to be ready in time, I’d better get home.”
I pull her back into my arms and kiss her, the kind of kiss that would make my mother blush, but I don’t care. When I pull back, I drag my finger down her nose. “You know, something skimpy and lacy under your comfy clothes wouldn’t hurt my feelings.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“SO, I KNOW it’s not Madonna, but I thought you might enjoy this.” I pull into the parking garage for what I will always refer to as the Rose Garden and find parking.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Cami exclaims, practically dancing in her seat. “This is awesome. I love Bruno Mars.”
I find parking and lead her inside, holding her hand tightly. She’s dressed in a simple black sweater and jeans with black boots.
I can’t help but wonder what’s under those clothes.
“I thought this show was sold out,” she says as we find our section.
“I know people,” I reply, and locate our seats, to the right of the stage, and only a few rows back. We’ll have a great view.
“You’re good at this date-night thing,” Cami says with a grin. “You’re hired.”
“I’m relieved,” I reply, and lean in to kiss her cheek, just as the opening act takes the stage. I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s watching the show with wide green eyes, taking it all in. She laughs at the band’s bad jokes and claps for them. And when it’s time for Bruno Mars to take the stage, she loses her ever-loving mind, screaming like a teenager.
She’s adorable.
We dance and simply soak it all in.
And when the song “When I Was Your Man” begins to play, I pull her into my arms and we sway in the aisle, moving back and forth, and for this moment, we’re the only people in the room. She sighs and melts against me, her whole body pressed to me. I bury my face in her hair, kiss her softly, and then the song, and the moment, are over.
“This is incredible!” Cami exclaims, smiling up at me. “Thank you!”
“It’s my pleasure,” I reply.
Everything with Cami is my pleasure.
“SO HOW ARE your siblings?” I ask on Thursday night. Cami and I are in her kitchen, cleaning up from dinner. “I know you said Amanda and her family moved north. What about your brother? I haven’t seen him in years.”
“They don’t live here anymore either,” she replies with a shrug. “Bobby and his wife moved to Arizona to be closer to her family.”
“I always liked your brother,” I reply, watching her closely. “I’m just surprised they left you all alone here.”
“They didn’t.” She frowns. “I have the girls and Steven. Plus, I talk to Amanda all the time, probably more since they moved.”
“Good,” I reply, not sure why I suddenly feel the need to hug her.
“Riley will be here any minute,” Cami says, and bites her lip just as we hear the front door open and Riley calls out hello. “Or right now.”
“Your cat tried to kill me,” Riley says as she walks into the kitchen, peeling her coat off. “I’m pretty sure he hates me.”
“He’s a lover,” I say in the cat’s defense, and grin down at the feline as he winds his way through my legs, purring happily.
“He only likes men,” Cami says. “He doesn’t like me either.”
“What other men has he been around?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Oh, you know,” Cami says, waving me off. “Just Jean Claude and Ricardo. But I always make sure they’re gone by the time you get here.”
Not giving one shit about having an audience, I pull Cami into my arms and kiss the hell out of her, plunging my hands in her hair and fisting, holding her still as I plunder and explore her mouth, nibble her lips, then kiss my way down her jawline to her ear and whisper, “Do you want to change that answer?”
“Just you,” she says, then clears her throat. “I told Jean Claude and Ricardo to take a hike.”
“That’s better,” I reply, and drag my knuckles down her cheek. “I’d hate to go to jail for murder.”
“A little possessive, aren’t we?” Riley asks, and helps herself, pouring a glass of wine. “You want some?” she asks Cami.
“Yes, please.”
“Speaking of possessive,” I reply, not directly answering her question, “what’s going on tonight?”
“It’s Thursday,” Riley says, as if that explains everything. “It’s our TV night.”
“Hot vampires,” Cami says, nodding. “Want to join us?”
“In watching vampires? No thanks,” I reply, and shake my head. “I guess you get her tonight,” I say to Riley.
“Sorry not sorry,” Riley says with a smug smile. “And just so you know, when summer starts, there will be a Real Housewives night too.”
“Real Housewives?” I ask. “Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not,” Cami replies, and sips her wine. “Riley and I love trash TV. It’s sort of an addiction. You should probably know that from the get-go.”
“I believe the get-go was a while ago,” I say, and then laugh. “Okay, have a good night. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Cami says, and worries her bottom lip. I can see that she’s torn between hanging out with Riley and me leaving for the night, and that’s never a worry I want to give her. She doesn’t have to choose. She can have all of us.
“I’m fine,” I reply, and kiss her forehead. “Have fun with Riley tonight. I’ll see you all weekend.”
Her face lights up. “Do we have plans?”
“Do we need them?” I ask.
“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t care what we do, as long as I get to do it with you.”
“I’m going to gag,” Riley says, and starts for the living room. “I’ll take my chances with your homicidal cat while you all play kissy face.”
“He’s not homicidal,” Cami calls after her, then stares up at me with a happy smile. “Thanks for understanding.”
“I’m a guy, babe. I’ll never understand hot vampires.” I kiss her nose, then her lips. “But I understand needing time with your friend. Seriously, enjoy yourselves. Do you need anything?”
“Ice cream!” Riley calls from the other room.
“So much for privacy,” I mutter.
“The walls are thin!” Riley yells, making us both laugh.
“I’ll go get your ice cream.”
“You don’t have to,” Cami says.
“I know.” I walk through the living room and wave at Riley on my way out.
“Cherry Garcia, please,” Riley says with a sweet smile.
I nod, but rather than walk out, I turn back to look at Cami. She’s just sat down next to Riley, and she’s laughing at something Riley said. Cami’s head is tossed back, her hair fallen back so I can see the soft curve of her neck.
I want to bury my face there and breathe her in.
I rub my chest as I walk out of the house and down to my car. It aches.
I’m in love with her.
I can’t imagine my life without her in it. She’s it for me. And this isn’t just a childish crush. It’s the real thing.
Holy fuck, I’m in love with her.
Now I have to figure out a way to tell her without scaring the shit out of her.