Cameron

I found Delia sitting on the couch in the living room with a drink in her hand when I went to tell her we were leaving.

“We’re done for the day, Delia. We’re heading out.”

She sat there and didn’t say a word, so I walked over to her.

“Did you hear me?” I asked.

She looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. “I’m sorry, Cameron. What?”

“I said we’re done for the day and leaving.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she spoke.

“Are you okay?” I asked out of concern. She seemed off.

“Of course. I’m fine. Have a good night.” She finished off her drink and got up from the couch.

When I arrived home, I took off my work boots and went into the kitchen.

“Something smells good, Rosa.” I smiled. “Sierra’s not home yet?”

“No. Not yet. I’ve roasted a chicken with some sweet potatoes, homemade bread, and a fresh asparagus salad.”

“Ah, sounds delicious. I’m starving. I’m going to head upstairs and take a quick shower before dinner.”

“Okay. The chicken, sweet potatoes, and bread are in the warming oven and the salad is in the refrigerator. I’m leaving now, so I’ll see you in the morning. Any request for breakfast?”

“Eggs benedict sounds good.” I grinned.

“Eggs benedict it is, then.” She smiled as she pinched my cheek.

After I showered, I threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and headed down the stairs. Before I made it to the last step, the front door opened and my beautiful girl walked in.

“Hey, babe.” I smiled as I walked up to her and kissed her lips.

“Hi.” She smiled back.

“Rosa made dinner. Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving,” she replied.

Sierra went upstairs to change her clothes while I set the food on the table. As I poured her a glass of wine, I grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge. Suddenly, James walked into the kitchen.

“Hey, James.”

“Hi, Cam. Where’s Sierra?”

“She’s upstairs changing.”

“Okay. When she comes down, I need to talk to her.”

“Sounds serious, bro. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” He fidgeted.

“Would you like to join us for dinner? There’s plenty.”

“Umm. Sure. Thanks.”

Something was going on with him too. What was with people today? Sierra walked into the kitchen and looked at James.

“I thought you went home.” she spoke.

“I was going to wait to talk to you, but I couldn’t. After I dropped you off, I sat in your driveway and just decided I needed to do this now.”

Her brow arched as she studied him.

“Oh my God. Please tell me you’re not quitting. I won’t let you quit,” she sternly spoke as she pointed her finger at him.

“I’m not quitting, Sierra.”

Sierra placed her hand over her heart. “Oh thank God. Then what is it?”

I told them to go sit down at the table while I served dinner.

****

Sierra

James was acting strange. He was fidgeting and I sensed a nervousness wash over him as he sat down at the table. I was worried. He was like a brother to me and I was afraid he was going to give me some bad news.

“Well, what did you want to talk to me about?” I calmly asked.

“You know I love you, Sierra, and I feel this is something I have to do,” he replied.

I gulped, prepping myself that he was going to tell me he was sick or something.

“I love you too, James.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box, and when he opened it, a beautiful diamond ring sat inside.

“I want to ask Kirsty to marry me and I would like your blessing since the two of you are attached at the hip.” He smiled.

I let out a sigh of relief as I lightly reached over and smacked his arm.

“You idiot. I thought you were going to tell me something bad. Like you were sick or something.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m just really nervous.”

I looked over at Cameron, who was pulling dinner from the oven with a wide grin splayed across his face.

“Well, you do know she’s high maintenance, right?” I asked.

He chuckled. “I do know that and I don’t care.”

“You know she can be a handful during PMS and she has special needs during that time.”

“I’m fully aware and I promise to take care of every one of her needs. Especially when she sends me out at midnight for ice cream.”

“You can’t break her heart, because if you do, you’ll have me to deal with and it won’t be pretty.”

“I have no intention of ever breaking her heart. I love that woman more than life. I promise to take very good care of her.”

A smile crossed my lips. The happiness that flowed inside me was indescribable. The two of them were soul mates and they were perfect for each other.

“Very well, then. I give you my blessing to marry my other half.”

I stood from my chair and gave him a tight hug. “I love you both very much.”

“Thank you, Sierra. I love you too and this means a lot to me.”

“Congrats, bro.” Cam smiled as he patted him on the back.

“Thanks, but she hasn’t said yes yet.”

“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “Like there’s any doubt in your mind.”

The three of us sat down and began to eat.

“So, when are you popping the question?” I asked.

“This Saturday night. I’m going to take her to her favorite restaurant and have the waiter put the ring in a glass of champagne.”

“She loves stuff like that.” I smiled.

As soon as we were finished eating, James left and Cameron and I cleaned up the kitchen.

“How exciting,” he spoke as he rinsed the plates off in the sink.

“I know. She’s just going to die.” I placed my hands on the counter top.

“What’s wrong?” Cam asked.

“I called Clive today and a woman answered his cell phone.”

“Oh shit. What did he have to say about that?”

“I hung up before she could hand him the phone. He called me back immediately and left a voicemail stating we have to talk.” I sighed.

“Do you think Delia knows?” he asked.

“I doubt it. Why?” I turned my head and looked at him.

“When I went to tell her we were done for the day and leaving, she was sitting on the couch with a drink in her hand, staring into space. She didn’t hear me, so I walked over to her and told her again and she looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. It was obvious something was bothering her.”

“Really?” I cocked my head.

“Maybe you should give her a call,” Cameron spoke.

“Now let’s not get crazy.” I put my hand up.

He dried his hands on the towel and walked over to me, placing his hands on my hips.

“If she did find out, she’s going to need support, babe. Being cheated on is a devastating thing.”

“I know that, Cam. I was cheated on, remember?”

He pressed his lips against my forehead. “Let’s not go back into the past. What happened between you and Ryan is long over.”

“You brought up cheating.”

He looked at the time on his watch.

“It’s not late. Maybe you can go over there for a visit.”

“I’ll call her tomorrow.” I brushed my lips against his. “I promise. Maybe I’ll ask her if she wants to go to dinner.”

“I’m proud of you.” He smiled.

“We have a wedding to plan.” I grinned.

“You mean Kirsty and James have a wedding to plan.”

“No. We have a wedding to plan.”

“So what you’re actually saying is you and Kirsty have a wedding to plan?”

“Yep.” I bit down on my bottom lip with a smile.

“Just remember it’s her wedding,” Cameron spoke as he placed his forehead on mine.

“I know, but she’s going to need a lot of help.”

“Again, Sierra, it’s her wedding. I know you and how you like to control things.”

“No I don’t,” I lied.

“You do. But I will tell you that I’m extremely proud of you for staying out of my construction business.”

Shit. His words hit a deep spot within my soul.

“I told you I would.” I laid my head on his chest to avoid lying to his face.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I broke our embrace and grabbed it off the counter.

“Damn it. It’s Clive.” I looked at Cameron. “My God, it’s like the middle of the night in Paris. Why the hell is he calling me?”

“Just answer it and get it over with, babe. I’ll be right here to support you.”

I sighed as I answered his call.

“Hello.”

“Sierra. Did you get my message?” Clive asked.

“I did, but I’ve been very busy today and I didn’t have a chance to call you back. What’s up, Clive?” I spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“You called earlier and Samantha answered the phone.”

“Ah yes. Is that her name?”

“Sierra, I need you to listen to me.”

“No, Clive,” I interrupted him. “Does Delia know?”

“No. She doesn’t.”

“How long has it been going on?”

“Six months. Please, let me explain.”

“What’s to explain, Clive? You’re cheating on my mother. Plain and simple.”

“You don’t understand. Or maybe you do. You of all people, Sierra, know what she’s like.”

“Of course I do. But no one, and I mean no one, deserves to be cheated on. This discussion is over, Clive. You will tell her the minute you get back from Paris, and if you don’t, I will.”

I ended the call.

“Wow. You really went to bat for Delia,” Cameron spoke.

“Just doing my daughterly duty. I’m tired and really want to go up to bed.”

“I’m tired too. It was a long day. We better get some sleep.”

“Who said anything about sleep?” I winked as I headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.