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Chapter Forty-Nine

Austen

Of all the people in this gigantic city, what are the odds I’d run into Cameron today, at this festival?

In my life, apparently pretty high. I can’t help but feel like no matter how far away we are, the universe keeps drawing us back together.

I’d been hurt when he stopped calling, but I understood. As much as I wanted to continue seeing his name pop up on the screen, I knew it wasn’t fair to either of us.

I might not have loved Savannah like I thought I did, but that doesn’t mean my divorce was easy. It was an end to a huge chapter of my life. Was I crazy for moving and trying to start fresh in another state with a building that was as much of a mess as me? And in the middle of getting divorced? Probably.

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, especially with the building needing everything under the sun done. The pipes needed to be brought up to code. The ventilation system was outdated as hell.

Thank God for remote IT work, otherwise I’m not sure I would have been able to get it all done in the course of a few months with everything else going on in my life. It’s been chaotic, to say the least.

Which is why I almost decided against coming to this festival today. For starters, it’s cold. Colder than it is back home at this time of year, anyway.

But with my divorce officially behind me, my building mostly up to code, and my apartment established, I felt like maybe, just maybe it was time to breathe. To live a little and enjoy the new possibilities awaiting me in this city.

And then I ran into him. Still as beautiful as ever, by the way. It’s been months, but the moment I looked at him, it was like no time had passed at all. All those memories, the good, the bad, and every one in between came flashing back to me.

Serendipity indeed.

I open the door to Blanecroft Group, heading up to meet with my investor, Tanner. I expected the search to take longer, much like the search for the property itself. But one thing I have come to learn about New Yorkers is they don’t wait on a good thing. They move fast.

I make my way up to Tanner’s office. The meeting is quick, just a few papers to be signed, and copies made, and then we’re shaking hands.

“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Brewer,” he says and I grin genuinely.

“Pleasure is all mine,” I say. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

The minute I’m out of the building, I can’t help but bask in the excitement that today is the best day I’ve had in a long time. In months.

I pull out my phone, letting out a sigh of relief. So many nights I thought about him, searching for the words to say, but never quite knowing how to start or where. And suddenly all those worries, all those fears, dissolved the moment I saw him in the park. He looked happy to see me.

Surprised, but definitely happy.

I tap out three letters, feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Hey.

Cam’s response comes back almost instantly and I grin.

Hey.

I tap out a response quickly as well.

Are you free tomorrow night?

I watch as the text bubble disappears a few times before he answers with a simple yes .

I can’t help but grin, my stomach doing a little flip.

Great. I’ve got just the place in mind.

I text him confidently as my heart swells with anticipation. I drop him the address for the little old school pizzeria nearby the old theater in my neighborhood where we can meet up.

Sounds good.

Knowing exactly what movie will be playing this weekend for their “Nostalgia Night,” I couldn’t think of a better place to take him. I overlooked it when I saw the promo for it, but now I feel like I was meant to see it for a reason.

I send him a thumbs up, then pull up my rideshare app and head home, smiling the whole way there.

My alarm goes off, and I get up without question. I thought it would have taken me longer to build a routine here, but I fell into it easily. I set the coffee pot the night before, so every morning when I wake up, it’s already brewing. I miss my espresso machine, I’m not going to lie, but there is no way that thing would fit on my counter.

I toss on my sweats and go for a quick run around the block, make myself breakfast, shower, and get dressed in record time. Even though I don’t have to leave my apartment because I work remotely, I do. I go to the cafe down the street every day and put in my hours and then head home. I lucked out with this location for sure. Margo really came through. It’s got that small town vibe with all the mom and pop shops and the rows of pretty historical buildings. But even in this town, there’s so much to see and explore. It’s bigger than it looks, that’s for sure. I’m sure I’ll be discovering it for years.

Thankfully I live close to both my building and the cafe, so I’m home within ten minutes of closing my computer. I run some product through my hair, refresh my cologne, and take a look at myself in my bathroom mirror. On the outside, not much has changed. My hair’s a little longer, but only because I haven’t had time to get it trimmed. I flatten out the wrinkles in my plum long-sleeve, tighten my belt on my dark wash jeans and adjust my watch. I might not look as clean-cut or polished as I used to and I haven’t exactly been to the gym in awhile, but I run every morning now. I like what I see.

I grab my charcoal peacoat and blue scarf, glancing at my watch to make sure I’ve still got time. I have at least twenty minutes still, and I live all but five minutes from Tony’s Pizzeria. But I leave anyway, unable to stand still or wait any longer.

Yeah, it’s just dinner and hanging out. Catching up on the last couple months since everything fell to pieces. But it’s pointless to tell myself not to get excited.

Because it’s Cam, and I’ve accepted that no one makes my stomach flip quite like he does.

When I get to Tony’s, my heart nearly leaps out of my chest. There he is, leaning against the window, the neon lights casting a red glow on him. I’m reminded of all those years ago, when we danced under flashing red lights. When we were young.

I think I knew then that I loved him. I just didn’t know how to process the depth of that love. I didn’t know how to let myself embrace it. I was afraid to embrace it. I was afraid I’d take the shot and miss.

But I’m not afraid anymore. I have nothing left to lose, but I have so much more to give than I ever did before.

He doesn’t see me, and for a moment, I stay hidden in the shadowed corner. For the first time, I let myself embrace this moment. The butterflies in my stomach, the way my heart beats a little faster when I look at him. I let myself appreciate the candid view and embrace my attraction to the man I never stopped loving.

It’s time to get off the bench, Austen.

“Hey,” I say, my voice strong, confident.

Because for the first time, I know what I want, and there’s nothing holding me back from taking my shot.

Cam turns to see me, his smile making my insides melt once again. “Hey. You’re early.”

I shrug, not bothering to deny it or be coy. After all, he’s early too, so that tells me he’s just as excited or nervous about this meetup.

“I hope you’re hungry,” I say as I open the door for him, casting him a smirk.

“Starving,” he says as he enters, brushing against me as he goes in.

When our order has been placed, I finally speak. There are so many things I want to say. Things I should say, but none of that comes out of my mouth. Instead, all I can say is, “I’m really glad you’re here.”

Cameron looks me over, and I don’t miss the way his gaze dips to my lips, or that he lets it hover there before he speaks.

“Me too,” he says, his voice slightly raspy. The server brings us our shared pitcher of beer, which I pour in our glasses.

“So, are you between gigs right now, or—” I ask, taking a sip of my beer. He shrugs.

“Just taking some time off after…” His voice trails off, and I feel the immediate bite of his unspoken words.

“After Paris?” I ask, solidly. I watch his gaze glisten, remorse starting to swell in my gut. I wanted to text him, call him. I know it was a big deal for him, and I wish I would’ve been there for him, but there was a lot going on. Still, I should have called or texted, or something.

“Yeah,” he says softly.

I nod, the words falling out of my mouth with ease.

“I’m so proud of you, you know. Fucking Dior, ” I say with a grin. I appraise him with my gaze. I watch as his shoulders loosen a bit with relief.

“Thanks,” he says, his voice a little quiet.

“I saw the ad,” I say, brushing some hair out of my face.

“Yeah?” he asks, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“So much sexier than Johnny Depp,” I say with a wink. “Absolutely perfect. ”

I watch the faintest blush creep into his cheeks as I chuckle just as the pizza comes.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” he says.

“Trust me, Cam. It was good.”

We fall into silence for a few moments as we eat, until he breaks it.

“So, what are you doing for work right now?” he asks genuinely.

“IT shit for the time being. It’s great because it gives me time to work on BrewTech, and with the new investor I got—”

“You got an investor? Shit, that sounds serious.” I don’t miss the smile on his face.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty big deal. It’ll help a ton with the building for sure.” I laugh between bites of pizza. “That place was a wreck. Still is, but it’s my wreck.” I smile. “It’ll take time, sure, but good things take time.”

I’ve never felt so proud in all my life.

“Well, congratulations.” he says, his smile lighting up his eyes. This… it’s nice.

When the check comes, I grab it before he can.

“Don’t even think about it,” I say, tossing my card down.

Cam sighs, but he doesn’t say anything, though I can feel the heat of his stare on me and that only makes the butterflies flutter in my stomach.

I glance at my watch. We’ve still got fifteen minutes to get to the movie theater.

“You ready for part two?” I ask, noting his surprise.

“Part two?”

I nod. “Dinner and a movie.”

He nods slowly. “A movie…”

We push our chairs in and I come to stand beside him. “It’s just down the road, not far.”

“Uh huh,” he says. “What movie are we seeing?”

I shrug, nudging his shoulder with mine. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?” I say with a sly grin.

The walk to the theater is short, but feels like forever because it’s cold as shit.

I hunch my shoulders a bit, wondering if I should have grabbed a different coat, but thankfully we make it to the theater relatively quickly. I show the attendant my QR code for our tickets, without too much resistance from Cam, and sigh with relief when we are in the dark theater, glad to be indoors and away from the New York winter air.

There’s only four screens in this place and they don’t play new movies.

We have nearly two minutes to situate ourselves, and take our coats off because it’s warm in here.

The minute the movie starts, he laughs.

“Mighty Ducks, are you for real?” he says through laughter. I shrug.

“It’s the first movie we ever watched together.”

I don’t miss the sparkle in his eyes at my words, or the way his gaze dips to my lips, then back at me.

I know enough now to know exactly what that look means.

He wants to kiss me.

Or quite possibly, he wants me to kiss him. That makes me smile like a kid on Christmas morning.

Even after all this time.

He can’t deny this either.

I angle myself a little closer to him.

“I can’t believe you remember that,” he says as he shifts in his seat. The motion makes our shoulders knock together.

“I know it’s your favorite,” I say, glancing up at him as I remember another time, when we were young. Squished on his twin bed in the dorm, with a box of pizza between us.

The laughter dies and we both focus on the movie. We laugh so much, it feels like my lungs might explode. Halfway through the movie, I lean my head on his shoulder, and he doesn’t push me away. Instead his hand finds my knee and it stays there until the credits roll.

After the movie, when we’re back out in the cold, we both stand under the marquee lights.

“Walk with me?” I ask, and he nods. I wasn’t sure we’d make it past the movie honestly. I wasn’t sure if he’d want to hang out afterwards, but something tells me he isn’t quite ready to let go of this moment either, so I make my move.

We pass a little bar with music blaring out from below. The lights shine on us as the dark, bass-ridden beats fill the air as the singer drones about kissing someone under milky twilight, whatever that means. I stop and he does, too.

And for the first time, I don’t think about what I want to say or do. I just go for it.

“Wanna dance?” I ask with a shrug. Cameron raises an eyebrow.

“Here? On the sidewalk?” He chuckles.

“Yes,” I say confidently, looking him in the eye.

The singer continues to sing on about fireflies dancing, and I stand tall, flashing my gaze at him. I’m terrified he’ll say no. That I’ve miscalculated, and I just embarrassed the hell out of myself. But when I look at him, all the nerves disappear.

“Is this your part three?” he asks as he steps closer to me, settling his hand on my hip.

I shake my head as I pull him close and we start to sway.

“Dinner, a movie, and spontaneous dancing?” He smirks. Teasing me.

“No, but there is a part three,” I say with a smile. His palm on my hip is warm. I carefully rest my arms around his neck like we’re in middle school, because honestly I don’t know how to dance with a guy. But the minute they find their home around his neck, I relax and pull myself closer. I don’t question it. I just do what feels right.

I dance with him because it’s what I want to do. And this is New York and people have seen crazier things.

“Of course, there is,” he says, his voice dark, deep. His gaze flashes to my lips and they stay there.

I lick my lips as I look up at him. I know it’s forward, and I know I could very well be miscalculating everything, but something tells me I’m not.

If he pushes me away, I’ll know. I’ll know where I stand.

It’s a risk, for sure, but I am not going to fumble the ball this time around. I’m not going to choke.

Not now when I’m so close to the goal. The music shifts to something softer, a song I recognize if only from those damn Twilight movies. The faintest snow flurries around us as I settle my hand on his neck.

His pulse kicks up a notch, making my cock twitch. The singer swoons about loving someone for a thousand years, and I feel the truth in that. So I take my shot.

I pull him to me and I kiss him. With rosy cheeks amidst the snow and the music, I kiss him with all that I am, with apologies and promises and love.

So much love.

He’s my warmth on a cold night, and I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time, partially convinced it may never happen because I couldn’t even answer a text or a call without feeling guilty or upset or like I wasn’t good enough to repair everything yet.

We’ve always been… off on our timing.

But the third time’s the charm, right?

He startles, and for a moment I think he’s going to push me away and tell me I’m too late.

But he doesn’t.

His hold on my waist tightens and he kisses me back.

He kisses me back.

Just like in the movies.

When we break apart, we’re both smiling.

“So… was that part three?” he asks, with a chuckle.

I shake my head, breaking his hold.

“Nope,” I say as I slide my hands into my pockets, walking backward. “The best is yet to come.” I grin, turning around and hoping like hell he follows.

Cam finds his way next to me in a flash. It doesn’t take long to arrive at my building. We barely walk for five or six minutes down the block.

“Ready for part three?” I ask, smirking.

“Where’s part three?” He cocks his head curiously, looking around at the buildings.

I know it’s a risk. Asking him to come up and see my place.

Even though he clearly didn’t push me away when I kissed him, it’s another thing entirely to ask him to see my place.

On the one hand, it’s just two friends hanging out, one showing the other his new place. Showing off their space and the things they are proud of. My place isn’t much, and it’s certainly no penthouse apartment with a fancy key card, but it’s warm and homey, and it’s my fucking home. Besides, Cam was never about the fancy shit, anyway.

But on the other hand, I’m a single man asking someone to come up, after we just kissed… knowing full well what that implication means. And I know, as a single man, he knows what that means too. Neither of us would be kidding ourselves or deluding ourselves here.

It is a long shot and I might be pushing my luck.

He looks at me questioningly.

“Here,” I say, turning to look at the large window on the top floor.

“Here…” Cam says, his voice soft.

I look back at him. “This is part three.”

My voice doesn’t shake, and I don’t drop my gaze. He stares at me for a moment, clearly shocked as he puts two and two together.

“This is your place?” he asks. I nod.

“Margo got it for me for a steal, too. Seriously, that woman is the best realtor on the planet. I swear.”

He stares up at the building and I point to the top floor, to the large window.

“Big window. That’s me.”

Cam doesn’t say anything. He lets out a deep breath, and I start to feel the nerves building again.

“You, uh… want to come up? Check it out?” I ask, the words simple, but much heavier than anything else I’ve said. “We can hang out. Have a drink. I can whip up some dessert, maybe? Or we can watch some Netflix, or—”

“Hell yes,” Cam says with a grin that makes my damn cock twitch as he looks back at me. “I’d love to.”