Page 31 of The Love Comeback
“That’s…” I pause, considering his words. “Pretty good advice.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” he scoffs.
I laugh, feeling some of the tension drain from my shoulders. “Marriage has made you wise.”
“Be sure to tell Nila that.” Cam chuckles. “Anyway, if you really care about her—and it’s obvious you do—then patience is your best play here. Let her set the pace. Let her see that you’re not going anywhere this time.”
“And if she decides she doesn’t want me in her life that way?”
Cam shrugs. “Then at least you’ll know you did right by her. Which, from what you’ve told me, is what you’re actually worried about.”
He’s right, and we both know it. I nod slowly, letting hiswords sink in.
“But seriously, Kade, just give it time. She’s got a lot on her plate—new city, new job, raising a kid on her own. Maybe what she needs right now isn’t a boyfriend. Maybe she just needs a friend she can count on.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Maybe that’s enough.”
“For now,” Cam adds with a knowing look. “I’m not saying you should give up completely on something that matters to you. Just … don’t try to rush it either. I mean, when I met Nila, I fell hard and fast, but she wasn’t ready to commit.”
“But can we blame her? She was the social media specialist hired to do damage control after you punched a fan in the face,” I joke.
“Okay, yeah,” he grunts. “But she’dalsobeen through some things and put up some walls.”
“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “I’ll give you that.”
“My point is, patience paid off.”
“I can be patient,” I promise, both to Cam and to myself.
Cam reaches over and claps my shoulder. “Good. Now can you please get your head back in the game? Because that last goal was embarrassing.”
I groan, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“She better be worth it.” He smirks, settling back in his seat.
I think of Ella—her strength, her kindness, the way she’s built her entire life around giving Colton stability and love. Theway she still laughs with her whole body when something truly amuses her, just like she did in high school.
“She is,” I say simply. “She definitely is.”
Chapter Twelve
Ella
“Come on!” Colton urges as he bounces just outside of the driver’s side door. “Let’s go! We’re gonna be late.”
“We’re not late,” I mutter, shaking my head. However, I can’t help but smile at his urgency. Skating lessons with Kade have become such a staple in his life, and I love seeing the light back in his eyes.
Inside, the familiar chill of the rink greets us, and Colton immediately spots Kade standing by the boards in his Glaciers warm-up jacket. Colton speeds off toward him, and a sense of warmth settles in my chest at the sight.
Maybe it’s not so bad having Kade around after all. Maybe we can be … friends. For Colton’s sake.It’s okay to let Kade back into my life as a friend, right?
The only thing that matters is that Idon’tfall for him again.
“Kade!” Colton calls out, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.
Kade turns, and the smile that spreads across his face at the sight of Colton makes something in my chest flutter traitorously. He high-fives Colton with enthusiasm, then glances up, his eyes finding mine across the distance. His smile softens as he waves hello.
I wave back, trying to ignore the way my heart picks up speed.
