Page 77 of Staying for You

“That may be, but Owen and I both knew that this had to end. I’m not about to let myself get attached to something if there’s no chance of it becoming permanent. He knows I’m leaving and he’s okay with that. And believe it or not, I am, too. I’m not looking for another relationship anytime soon, Gretchen. I only came here to find inspiration and for a break from life. I got that. And, bonus, I had some pretty damn good sex, too. Now it’s time for me to get back to that life I was taking a break from. Besides. You were the one who told me I needed to find a transition guy. Someone who would help me get over everything that happened with Scott and move on. I did that. I would think you’d be happy for me.”

“Cami,” she sighs when I finish my speech. Right now, I’m thinking she knows me too well. Gretchen sees through my bullshit and her sigh is her way of calling me out.

“I’m fine.”

“Lies. So many, many lies. But you’re my best friend so I’ll drop it this time because I know you need to get used to the idea of something more with him. Just, do me a favor and think about what you’re coming home to, and what you’re leaving. Because, Cami?”

“Yeah?”

“Even without meeting Owen, I know you’re leaving someone who’s meant to be in your life.”

“Maybe it’s not a forever thing, though.”

“How do you know if you don’t try?”

She’s right. I don’t know. But how do I take that chance? I married my first college boyfriend and Owen is the first man I’ve met since that same marriage imploded. “I need time,” I tell her.

“I know you do. Talk to him. What have you got to lose?”

What do I have to lose? Pretty much everything.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Owen

I’moutside power washing the deck so I can stain it and can’t stop thinking about last night. Cami came flying through the door off the deck and straddled me where I was sitting on the couch. I thought she was going to be busy writing all night long so I hadn’t planned on seeing her.

To say it was a pleasant surprise would be an understatement.

She attacked my mouth, holding the back of my head to keep me from moving away from her. Lucky for her, and me, I was only in my boxers which gave her easy and quick access to what she wanted. I love it when she’s aggressive in the bedroom. She lets me have control but is never afraid of showing me what she wants. And I love giving it to her. She’s a firecracker in the bedroom — or wherever we end up — and isn’t embarrassed or ashamed to own it.

There’s no way I’ll be able to say goodbye to her in a week. Not a chance in hell will I be able to watch her drive away and not beg her for a chance to see if we can figure out how to make it work between us. We’re too good together. And it’s not just the sex, though that’s fantastic. It’s everything about her. I wasn’t expecting her and normally I’m not good with surprises or change. Maybe that’s why I’m having such a hard time knowing how to let her go.

She’s just so… good.

I hear a war cry come from Cami’s cabin and go on alert, forgetting all about the incredible sex we had last night — and this morning. The scream must be quite something to be heard over the roar of the motor and spray of the water. I stop what I’m doing, turn off the power washer, and listen closely only to hear it again.

Dropping the wand, I rush down the steps and down the hill. The weather lately has been unseasonably warm. For as harsh of a winter we had, I expected us to have cold and wet weather for a long time into the springtime but I was proven wrong. The warmer temperatures have allowed me to get to work on the outside of the cabins and I’ve gotten quite a few more reservations than I typically do this time of year. A lot of resorts close their doors completely because the owners don’t stay year-round. Since I’m here, as long as the cabin is there and ready for someone to stay, I figure why not? By this time next week, the resort will be at half-full capacity, which is half-full more than I normally have. That also means I have a shit ton of work to do to get the resort guest-ready.

When I get down to Cami’s cabin, the entry door is open, leaving just the screen door in place and I stop when I see Cami’s back to me, her phone pressed to her ear.

“I’m coming home early,” she says quietly and my stomach sinks. I knew she was leaving. I’ve been very aware of the calendar and what happens in a week. Blood rushes through my ears and I feel light-headed. Why is she leaving early? I thought she was happy here.

“I’m not sure I can,” she says and I have no idea what I missed during my inner-turmoil of hearing her say she’s leaving The Escape. Leaving me.

And then I hear the rest of her conversation. Her telling the person on the other end of the phone that there’s no chance of us becoming permanent and it’s time for her to get back to her life.

I knew better than to get attached.

I told myself time and time again that her presence here was only temporary and I needed to prepare myself for her to be gone for good. That our time together had an expiration date and anything we shared was surface level at best. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it stayed and my heart didn’t stand a chance.

She burrowed deep, no matter how hard I tried to keep her out of my heart, she barged right on in and made a home there.

I know I’ve fallen, though I won’t admit it out loud or to her. It’s not fair for either of us. I was just her in between guy, and it’s time I remind myself of that.

Rather than confront her, for the first time, I walk away from her. I don’t tell her what I overheard. It won’t do any good. The only thing that would come of that conversation is her trying to convince me that it wasn’t the way it sounded or worse, that she meant everything she said.

By the time I make it back to my cabin, I’m feeling a range of emotions.

---