Page 39 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Abby

Another year later

I stand in my favourite spot, gazing down at the street below.

I’m in the turret space on the top floor of The Juniper, and I have to pinch myself every day that this is my home now.

I’m surrounded by luxurious furnishings, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.

A window bench with throw pillows encircles the room, cleverly built with space underneath for bookshelves and other storage.

I’ve spent many an afternoon in the armchair that stands in the middle of the room, my feet propped up on the bench, a book in my hand, often just pausing from reading to watch the world go by.

Footsteps approach, and I cast a look over my shoulder at Cam, his chest bare, wearing only a pair of joggers. It’s an excellent look on him. He steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and propping his chin on top of my head.

“Okay, love?” he asks. “What do you need?”

“I’ve got everything I need right here.” I clasp his hand in mine and savour the contentedness that runs so deep it lines my bones.

His fingers thread with mine, bringing my attention to the engagement ring on my finger, the lilac sapphire centre and surrounding diamonds glinting in the sunlight. The Art Deco-style piece been on my finger for a month, and I’m still getting used to it.

It’s funny how my outlook has shifted. I would never, in a million years, imagine I’d be getting married.

We discussed it multiple times before he got on his knee and asked.

And by then I was confident that we get to choose how our marriage looks.

I want to show my commitment to his happiness and for the life we are cultivating together.

And celebrate the parts of our relationship that are so different from where I was a few years ago. He’s my person, and I’m his.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” I tell him.

He’s been away all week, working, and I’ve missed him. He got back in the early hours of this morning after I’d closed up the bar for the night. He’d dragged me up here and peppered me with tiny kisses, reclaiming me as his.

“You’ve got the place covered today? You can take the day off?” he checks, his hands stroking my torso as he continues to hug me.

“I do.”

“Thought we could go to The Thirst Trap for some lunch.”

I chuckle. “Yes, let’s. I wanna see if their new season menu is as good as ours.

” I run The Juniper now. Still can’t quite get my head around that.

But Cam stole me from Tom and The Thirst Trap to manage The Juniper bar.

And I love it. Luckily, Tom was a good sport about it, and we both enjoy the healthy competition between the bars.

“I visited William while I was away.”

“At the retirement home?”

“Yeah, he still doesn’t have a clue who I am, but I was in the area, so it felt right to pop in and play some backgammon with him.”

With his mum’s approval, Cam did some digging to locate William. He eventually found him in a retirement home near York. He has long-term memory issues and doesn’t know who Cam is but seems to appreciate the sporadic visits from him.

“And you’re all set to take the weekend off in a couple of weeks so we can head up to Skye?”

“Yes, Cam. It’s been booked for weeks. Your mum is texting me on the daily with suggestions for the wedding. Yesterday, she was sharing local florists and their Google reviews with me.”

He chuckles. “You know you only have to tell her if it’s too much?”

“I know. I think she’s more excited about this wedding than either of us. It’s awesome that she’s happy for us. Hopefully, the weekend will allow us to make some decisions and get suppliers confirmed and ready to go.”

Having never thought I’d get married, I didn’t have a clue where to start planning after Cam proposed. Becky has been helpful and is so chuffed that we decided to get married on Skye. I’m looking forward to getting all the details locked in, and then I plan to just enjoy it.

“Did you go to the Clubhouse while I was away?” Cam asks. His tone is casual, but I still turn around in his arms to see his face. It’s a picture of serenity, not even a hint of jealousy there.

I still feel new at this relationship malarkey and even after a couple of years, I’m still getting used to our dynamic. While he’s most definitely my person and I know that through and through, it took me a long time to stop wondering if something might come along and ruin this thing that we have.

“Nah, it’s no fun without you there,” I tell him with a smile. Since that day we sat on the rocks at the Quiraing, I’ve only played with others when my fiancé is there with me and I’m content with that. It feels just right to experiment together and not separately.

“Congratulations, my loves.” Saff draws me in for one of her signature squishy hugs, planting a kiss on my cheek once we’re officially declared husband and wife. She draws back and repeats her actions with Cam, who lifts her off her feet and presses a kiss to her forehead.

“Have I told you how grateful I am that you put that ad up that day? That you helped me find my wife?” he says to her as he settles her down and they break apart.

She rolls her eyes. “Only a million times, you dafty. But keep telling me what an awesome person I am. I can take it.”

“You are awesome and I’m glad you’re happy, too.” Cam taps her cheek. Her face lights up as her gaze moves to someone behind us with a grin.

She blushes before bringing her attention back to us. “I know you said you didn’t want gifts but, I thought today was the best day to give you this.” She reaches down underneath the chair beside her and pulls out a large bag, passing it over to me.

I peer in and hold it towards Cam, who pulls out the large box from inside.

“What is it?” he asks.

“Open it and you’ll find out.” She reaches across to mirror his earlier face-tapping with her tongue firmly wedged in her cheek.

He opens the lid of the box and casts it aside to pull a photo album out. The thick cover is navy and plain. I gasp as he flips it open.

“Oh my gosh, Saff.” My fingers come up to cover my mouth. I want to curse her. “I managed to not cry through that whole damn ceremony, even when Cam recited his own personal vows, dammit. You’re a cruel woman to try and make me bawl now.”

She laughs wickedly, but my attention is on the images as Cam flicks through the pages.

Endless photos of the pair of us; way back to the first time she visited The Juniper, and he gave us both the tour.

There’s a photo of us standing at the top landing, me looking down to the floors below, and Cam’s yearning gaze pinned to me.

Another of him holding me up, my legs wrapped around him, and sheer joy on my face.

And more from every time we’ve seen her over the last few years.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.” I grasp her face in my hands and plant a kiss on her lips.

“You’re most welcome. We should have some good ones from today, too. And if you need a photographer for Cam’s wedding present, you know who to ask.” She waggles her brows salaciously.

“What?” I turn to look at Cam, who’s baring his teeth at Saff. “What’s she talking about? I thought we weren’t doing presents.”

“Mrs Macleod,” Cam whispers against my lips as he squeezes me tight. “I can’t believe I got you to the altar. Even yesterday, I thought you might run away.”

“Where would I go? If I was going to run away, it would be with you, Cam.” I reach up and cup my hands over his cheeks.

Our wedding day has been beautiful. We’ve been surrounded with family and friends. Even my mum came along. Although, it took Cam arranging everything to convince her to come; even putting her up in a fancy B&B down the road.

For a day I never saw in my future, it’s turned out to be everything I ever could have dreamt of. Becky took care of all the details once we’d made some decisions. I only had to turn up, put on a dress, and say my vows to my husband. My husband. That’s never going to get old.

“I think our guests are going to think we’ve run away if we don’t get out there soon.” I straighten the skirt of my dress, making sure it doesn’t look like my husband just had it held up around my waist while he fucked me over the chaise lounge when we were supposed to be ‘freshening up’.

“Do we have to go back out there? I just want to take you home.” His voice is gruff.

“Yes, we do. I want to dance and see all the people who have come all this way to celebrate. I’ve not had the chance to thank everyone for coming yet. And I really should have a proper catch-up with Mum. I’ve not seen her since The Juniper opening party.”

He huffs out a sigh. “It’s just you look so hot in your wedding dress. I need you.”

“You’ve just had me. That will tide you over for a few hours until we can get away.” I pat his cheek. “And we have to eat–the menu and the cake is the thing we spent the most time making the decisions on.”

“True. I just can’t wait to show you your wedding present.”

“Cam,” I exclaim. “You didn’t need to get me anything. I have everything I need with you at my side.” I draw in a deep breath, relishing the freedom and joy that comes from being loved and loving someone in return.

“I know, love. This is just something extra so we can have fun, even when we’re staying up here.” His grin is salacious, and excitement bubbles up from my stomach as I wonder what it could be.

“You can show it to me later.”