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As I walk through the store I can’t stop feeling like something is wrong. Did I push this on her? Is this too fast or too much for her? I need to figure something out because I’ll never forgive myself if I fuck this up.

“Shouldn'tyou have your own personal associate now?” Jonas asks when I get back to the office.

“Why would I need one of them when I have you?”

He reaches over his head behind his back as if he’s pulling out an arrow, notches it into his imaginary bow before pulling it back, and sends his middle fingers flying at me.

“Mr. Cameron, sorry to interrupt. Hi, Jonas.” Talan pokes his head in the door and offers a small wave to Jonas.

“Talan! My guy, you’re looking sharp today,” Jonas says and I swear Talan blushes. I motion for him to continue.

“Thank you, Jonas. Mr. Cameron, you're all set for tomorrow, the plane will be ready for you to leave at 10 a.m.”

“Thank you, Talan.”

Jonas’s smile drops and his eyes shoot to me. “What?” I bark at him.

“Where are we heading?”

“Jonas, the only place I would go with you is to a monastery in Thailand.”

“Har har, dickhole. Where are you going?”

“Dickhole? Really?” I ask at his use of an insult.

“Yes really. But now I know this involves Camila since you only avoid my questions when they involve her…”

Touche, dickhole.

“I’m handing these files off to you because I’m taking Camila up to Oregon for the weekend.”

“Nice. Take her out into the woods and act out a little vampire romance.”

“As usual I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, but by all means keep talking to hear yourself talk.”

“Who knew we would ever see the day?” I ignore him, making sure all the papers are in the file. “You’re a simp daddy.”

“Don’t ever fucking call me that again.”

“Miles Simp Daddy Cameron.”

“You really do get off on annoying me don’t you?”

“Is it weird?” he asks, unable to keep the smile off his face.

“Is what weird?”

“Being in love with your fake wife?”

For thirty-six years I’ve been content to be single. I never wanted to go through what my parents did. Even though I knew I would never be like my father—I would never cheat on anyone—I still saw the way he crushed my mom and I never wanted to be the reason someone could be so broken. I never wanted to open myself up to that kind of torture either. I always thought it was easier to not expose myself to that possibly than it would be to endure it. So I never tried or wanted a relationship and I definitely never planned on being married. But now I can't imagine a life not married to Camila. So I catch myself being honest with Jonas.

“No. It’s not.”

He nods his head knowing not to push it.

After my conversation with Jonas,I wasdesperate to get home to Camila. I completed the bare essentials that needed to be done and I packed up my stuff and met Wills downstairs. As we drive home, I’m noticing things I never noticed before. Specifically the people outside— couples, families, and groups of friends. Some heading out for dinner, some heading back to their hotels after a day of sightseeing. Every light Wills stops at feels like torture. Even though I’ve known I’ve been falling in love with Camila for some time now, acknowledging it out loud feels different. I don’t know if she’s there yet, but I can’t go another minute without telling her how I feel.

Miles