I woke up alone, which wasn’t unusual, but for the past few mornings, Cami’s warm, naked body was sprawled next out next to me. We made this bed and the guest house our sanctuary. But rather than her trademark jasmine, I smelled something sweet. Cami was in the kitchen. I winced as I sat up and looked down at my stomach. There was still an ugly purple bruise from Palmer’s blow, but both the discoloration and the pain would be gone by the time I deployed. I pulled on my boxer briefs and padded out into the living room where my T-shirt was piled on the floor. I tossed it on and then followed my nose. One look at the calendar as I passed by it on the way to the kitchen reminded me that I was about to be expelled from Eden. Deployment day loomed uncomfortably close.

Cami looked gorgeous, her wild curls glowing like a halo from the sun streaming through the windows. She wore a black tank top and a pair of tight-fitting shorts that made me think lots of dirty thoughts. I resisted the urge to drag her down to the tiled floor when she turned, clutching a white mixing bowl, and beamed at me.

“Good morning,” I greeted her, shuffling into the kitchen. The countertops were cluttered with bags of flour and sugar and cartons of eggs and milk. And also a container of sprinkles. “What are you doing?”

“Making you pancakes. You missed out the last time,” she said. The last time she’d offered to make pancakes had ended in disaster. “Have a seat. Do you want coffee?” Cami pointed toward the countertop where a few stools rested underneath.

“Coffee would be great, thank you.” I pulled out a stool just as she set a mug in front of me. I eyed it skeptically; it had a pretty floral pattern with birds but proclaimed, “Good morning, asshole.”

She grinned as she poured coffee from a French press into my cup. I watched her move capably around the kitchen. This was her space, and it made her happy. She hummed as she poured pancake batter onto a hot griddle. In minutes, I had a plate stacked high with fluffy homemade pancakes that were speckled with colorful sprinkles.

“Confetti pancakes,” she informed me with a huge grin. “My specialty.”

I felt guilty eating while she cleaned up, so I begged her to sit and eat with me. I listened as she talked aimlessly about learning how to bake from her grandmother. “Whenever my mom would take me out exploring, we always ended up at a bakery. I was fascinated by the display cases full of gorgeous cakes or perfect pastries. Sometimes, they’d show me how to make something if I asked.”

“Did you go to culinary school?”

“No. I’m entirely self-taught. But the Graysons had a friend in Seattle who was a pastry chef for a hotel. She hired me a year after I graduated from high school, and I worked my way up from there.”

Cami made it sound easy, but you didn’t end up owning a condo in a slick high-rise in the middle of downtown Seattle through luck. She was being modest, which made me love her even more.

“Do you have plans today?” I asked her. I wasn’t foolish enough to think that she’d drop everything for me just because I was leaving in a few days. She still had a life to live.

“Well, actually …” Her voice trailed off as she looked anxiously at the front door of the guest house. Seconds later, the door opened, and a familiar voice called out.

“Cami?” It was Palmer. What the fuck was he doing here? I looked at Cami who had a guilty look in her eye.

“In the kitchen,” she called out, keeping her eyes locked on me. “I’m sorry, but this needs to be solved right now.”

“Do I smell confetti pancakes?” Palmer asked walking into the kitchen. He hadn’t seen me yet, but when he did, his easy demeanor disappeared. “What the hell, Cami!”

I stood, ready to act, but Cami held up a hand. Suddenly, I wished she had on more clothes than just a tiny tank top and skintight shorts.

“Palmer, this is getting ridiculous,” she told him. “I thought you understood how I felt, but I guess I was wrong. You need to apologize to Garrett.”

“Nope. Cami, this has nothing to do with you,” he told her, but she wasn’t buying it.

Cami rolled her eyes and sighed. “Spare me. This has everything to do with me, and you'll apologize right the fuck now, or our friendship is over.”

Palmer looked at her as if she wasn’t serious, but it was easy to tell that she was. So I took the lead and apologized again. “Palmer, I knew how you felt about Cami, but I pushed your feelings aside. I thought I was doing the right thing by talking to you before making a move, but I guess I should have waited longer. I’m sorry that you were hurt.”

Cami shot me a look that said “Really?” before turning her attention back to Palmer. She tapped her bare foot impatiently until he shifted uncomfortably and sighed heavily.

“Fine, Cami. I’m sorry, Garrett.”

I could tell Cami wasn’t appeased. “Okay. Bye, Palmer,” she said, pushing him toward the door.

“What the fuck? What do you want from me?” The moment Palmer raised his voice, I was up and between him and Cami. I backed him against the wall with my forearm pressed lightly against his chest.

“Apologize to her right now, asshole, or we’re done for good,” I growled.

Cami’s hand was gently tugging on my arm, and when I faced her, I could see that instead of anger, she was disappointed. I released him, but he only had a moment to get himself together before Hurricane Cami stepped in.

“What do I want from you, Palmer? I want you to act like a fucking man and apologize to your best friend for not only physically assaulting him but for also acting like a jealous asshole. And then I want you to apologize to me not only for yelling at me just now but for treating me like your property. You had no right to do what you did because you and I have never been a thing. How many times do I have to tell you that the only thing I want with you is friendship?”

Palmer was stunned. Cami’s words dazed him, and I could tell he wasn’t expecting her to go off on him. He opened his mouth to respond, but Cami held up a hand.

“Save it, Palmer. You hurt me by reducing me to nothing more than a possession. I’ve known you most of my life, and this is how you treat me? I’m done.” Cami stormed out of the kitchen. A few minutes later, a door slammed. I knew there was fire inside her. I turned my attention back to Palmer who looked both horrified and guilty.

“Is this how you want to leave things between us, man?” I asked him. “I’m deploying in a few days.”

“It seems like we just got home from that shithole.” He seemed both surprised and confused because, after our last tour, we thought we’d be stateside for a while.

“It’s getting out of control over there, so I’m heading back.” I didn’t exactly know the specifics myself, but I had been paying attention to the news, and I knew that the surge of rebels in the area was intensifying.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Maybe because you punched me in the gut and then told me to get the fuck out?”

Palmer looked away with a grimace. “I’ve loved her for so long, you know? But I never had a chance to leave the friend zone, did I?”

“She’s going to need you,” I admitted. “I’m not going to be here to help her through the death of her father. She’s going to need her best friend.”

“What do you mean?”

“She just found out that the cancer spread. His surgery, the chemotherapy, none of it worked. I don’t know how long doctors are giving him, but I’d be a fool to hope that he’ll survive until I return.”

“Shit,” he muttered.

“Yeah. You have to be there for her, Palmer. I have to be able to count on you while I’m gone. I know it’s unfair to ask you to do this for me, but you’re my best friend.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay. I’m sorry, Garrett. I shouldn’t have lost it like that.” Palmer looked toward the hallway. “I should go and talk to her.”

I held up a hand. “Let me. Just stay here.”

Slowly, I walked down the hall to the closed bedroom door. I knocked softly before entering. Cami sat on the bed, her eyes red from crying.

“Hey,” I said. “Are you okay?”

Cami wiped the streaks of tears from her cheeks and sniffled. “I have so much to worry about, Garrett. I don’t need to deal with this too, you know? He’s acting selfishly.”

I nodded my understanding. “I know, and I think he knows that now too. He let his own jealousy get in the way, but I think he understands what we’re all dealing with now.”

“How? Did you punch him in the face or something?”

I couldn’t help the loud burst of laughter that escaped. “No, I didn’t punch him in the face.”

“Well, can I punch him in the face?”

“Easy there, Rocky. No one is going to punch anyone, okay?”

Cami legitimately pouted, and I couldn’t resist. I leaned forward and nipped her bottom lip with my teeth before kissing her hard. “Come on,” I told her before the kiss led to something more. “Palmer’s waiting.”

She whined but eventually followed me back to the kitchen where Palmer had helped himself to a few confetti pancakes. He set the plate down and held up his hands.

“I’m sorry,” he said with a mouthful. “I couldn’t resist. You know how much I love these damn things.”

Cami walked up to Palmer and snatched the plate away from him. His eyes were as big as saucers, and he backed away from her slightly. “Garrett said I couldn’t punch you in the face, so I’m taking away your pancakes until you really apologize to him.”

I intervened before she became violent. “It’s okay, Cami. He did apologize.”

She looked between us skeptically. “You’re still not getting any more.”

“Cami, I owe you an apology,” Palmer started. With his eyes on the plate in Cami’s hand, it was hard to tell if he was simply apologizing to get his plate of pancakes back or if he really was sincere. “You were right. I did treat you like a possession, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

I could see Cami start to relent. Her shoulders sagged, and her defenses began to crumble. “Palmer, I don’t need any more stress in my life right now. I need you to be my friend.”

“I know, and I promise to be here with you through everything. You won’t be alone.”

She looked at me for reassurance, and I dipped my head slightly. “Okay,” she grumbled. “Apology accepted.”

“Thank you.” Palmer sighed. “Now can I have some more pancakes?”

Cami didn’t exactly seem placated but scooped two hot, fresh pancakes onto his plate before handing it to him. She glanced at me and wordlessly offered me another helping, but I shook my head. I was stuffed. I watched her carefully as she finished cleaning up the breakfast mess. Was this something I was going to worry about? Cami constantly putting others before herself? Selflessness was an admirable quality, but it could take its toll on a person, and I didn’t want Cami to run herself down. This was something I needed to discuss with Palmer because I wanted him to make sure she took the time to care for herself.

“Do you want to go and spend time with your dad?” I asked, surprising her.

“Are you offering to go with me?” She’d sacrificed a few days with him for me, and I knew she was feeling restless.

“You said he wanted to meet me and make sure I was capable of taking care of you and the house.”

“What’s wrong with the house?” Palmer asked.

“Nothing. Dad’s just fussing over nothing.”

“Well, make a list, and we’ll put you on the schedule,” he told her. “I’ve got to go, though. Thank you for breakfast.” Palmer reached out a hand toward me, and we shook, officially burying the hatchet. He placed an arm around Cami and pulled her in for a hug. He kissed the top of her head before telling her, “I meant what I said. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“Thank you, Palmer.” She returned his hug, snaking her arms around his middle. I could tell from the grateful smile on her lips that their friendship was important to her and that he was forgiven. Palmer snagged one last pancake before he left with a guilty grin.

The minute Palmer cleared the door, and I heard it shut, I had Cami pressed against the closest wall. She gazed up at me with big blue eyes; her breathing was heavy. “If you ever invite another man over and all you’re wearing is this,” I scolded her, running a hand down the front of her tank top, “we’re going to have problems.”

“What kind of problems?” she breathed out. “Are you going to spank me?”

“I’ll do more than spank you, sweetheart. I’ll fuck you senseless.”

“I don’t see how that’s supposed to teach me a lesson,” she purred. “It might just turn me into a repeat offender.”

I groaned, and my cock throbbed uncomfortably. “Let’s go,” I said, grabbing her hand and leading her to the bathroom. Hopefully, there was enough hot water.

As we drove to the hospital, Cami kept looking over at me and giggling. If I’d had to guess, she was replaying the events of the past few hours in her head, and I didn’t blame her. Fucking her against the shower wall was a memory made to last.

“Stop thinking about it, or I’m going to meet your dad with a raging hard-on,” I told her.

“I’m sorry! I just … can’t help myself.” She squirmed in the passenger seat and continued to grin like the Cheshire cat. What was I going to do with her? We were close to the hospital, so there wasn’t much.

“Well, you’re going to have to,” I said as I made the turn into the hospital’s parking lot. This seemed to sober her quickly, and I was relieved.

I took her hand as she led me through the hospital corridors and up to her dad’s room. She knocked timidly on his door and poked her head inside. I waited just outside in the hallway until she announced that she had company.

“Hey, Dad,” I heard her say.

“Camille! Long time, no see!” He greeted her warmly, and they talked briefly, but I couldn’t hear; their words were muffled.

“I brought someone with me today,” she told him nervously. She poked her head out and motioned for me to enter. “Dad, this is Garrett. Garret, this is my dad, Alex Sorenson.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” I extended my hand toward the man who was sitting up in the hospital bed. Alex Sorenson was a formidable looking man. Even though he was battling cancer, he still looked capable of kicking my ass. He wore a blue bandana around his head, hiding the baldness that was most likely the result of his chemotherapy treatments. His eyes were the same disarming shade of blue that captured my attention the first time I met Cami, and it was easy to see so much of him in her.

“Please call me Alex,” her dad replied, gripping my hand tightly.

“All right, Alex.” I sat down on one of the uncomfortable vinyl chairs that seemed to occupy every hospital room. I bobbed my knee nervously; I wasn’t used to meeting fathers. Until Cami, none of my previous relationships had lasted long enough to necessitate meeting families. This meeting with her dad was an important step in our relationship, and I wanted it to be perfect.

Cami asked her dad some questions. I didn’t really pay much attention to the specifics of her questions or the content of his answers. Instead, I watched how they interacted with each other. There was an enormous amount of love in her eyes, and she touched him often throughout their exchange. As she spoke, there was always a smile on her lips, and her tone was calm. Her father was similar. He would reach up often and brush the backs of his fingers along her cheek, and I saw a twinkle in his eye that never seemed to fade.

“I hope you don’t mind Cami bringing you here,” Alex said, snapping my attention back to the present.

“Not at all, but I don’t know how much reassurance I can give you. I’m deploying at the end of the week.”

“I know. Cami told me.” He looked over at Cami with a slight frown. “It worries me that she’ll be alone, but she has Valerie and Palmer.”

“Sir, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that I come back. This is my last assignment.”

He nodded and seemed to understand what I wasn’t saying. I wasn’t planning on dying right before my military career ended.

“But I’ll talk to Palmer before I leave to make sure that Cami and Val are taken care of.” It was really the only promise I could make to him, and he seemed content with it.

“What about when you come home? What’s your plan then?”

I told him all about my family’s winery and how I planned on managing the production, which evolved into telling him about my family. I explained how I could relate to what Cami was going through because of what I experienced with my own mother. I left out the part about running away and not being able to cope because I didn’t want him to think I was a coward.

“Cami, could you give me a minute alone with Garrett?” Alex asked softly. Cami flicked her eyes in my direction, silently checking that I was okay. I nodded my head, and then she slipped out of the room.

Alex motioned for me to sit closer, so I pulled the chair across the room and next to his bed. “She seems to have found a kindred spirit,” he said quietly. “You know what it’s like to lose a mother and so does she. You understand her pain.”

“I do.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on his bed. I hoped he didn’t mind. “I want to be totally honest with you, Alex. I love Cami. I’m pretty sure she was made just for me. And when I come back, I’m going to marry her. Those are my intentions, and I want you to bless them before …”

My voice trailed off because we both knew what I meant. He reached out and grasped my hand. “Thank you. But I need to ask you something very difficult.”

“Anything, sir. If it’s within my power, then I’ll do it.”

“I need you to keep a secret.”

I sat back, letting my hand slip from his. “From Cami?” I didn’t want to deny a dying man, but I didn’t want to withhold anything from Cami either.

“I’ve been looking for her mother. I hired a private investigator about a year ago, and he finally has reliable contact information.” I waited for him to continue. “I asked Palmer’s father, Tim, to try to get in contact with her.”

“And has he been able to?”

“I’m not sure. I know he sent a letter and tried to call. I’m telling you this so that you can prepare for the moment when and if Alicia returns.”

“But that could happen while I’m away.” How was I supposed to plan for this? Was I free to tell others this secret?

“I understand, and if that does happen, Tim will try to help Camille and Valerie as much as possible.”

“She’s going to hate me for keeping this secret.”

“She’ll be angry, but she won’t hate you.” I glanced over at Alex, unsure that his assumption was correct. We were silent for what seemed like an eternity before Alex finally said, “I’m happy that Camille has finally found someone to love so fiercely and passionately. I didn’t think she would ever find someone.”

“Why not?”

“Camille was devastated when her mother left. She took it personally. So did Valerie but, somehow, Valerie was able to move on. Camille has never been able to forgive her mother, and I know she considers it a personal betrayal.”

“Cami told me that she and her mother are alike. Do you think that?”

“I do. Alicia always had an infinite itch. She wasn’t content to just stay here and live a quiet life, no matter how happy. The world was calling her name, and she often took Cami with her to explore. Cami has that same itch, but she’s ignored it for so long. She traveled some, but she never truly let herself give in to that wanderlust.”

“She didn’t want to leave you too.”

Alex closed his eyes and sighed. “Yes. But Alicia also broke a sacred trust between a mother and daughter, which made Camille cautious. She wasn’t going to let herself love or be loved if that person was going to leave.”

“She told me something similar. There’s only one way that I will leave her, sir.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Garrett. And when the time comes, you can ask Cami to marry you knowing that you have my blessing. But I want to make sure of one thing.”

“Anything. Just tell me.”

“Make her see the world.”