And now, we will bear witness to the next chapter of their lives

If a wedding fair was meant to stir excitement into couples actually getting married, then it did the opposite for Cam and I. As we headed to a nearby Chinese bistro for lunch, the playful excitement we shared on the room had dissipated. If Cam's mood had changed, he did a great job hiding it. He still offered smiled and insisted that I order whatever I wanted, but that bright light of his was dimmed - muted. I tried to keep my spirits up but it was only a matter of time before anxiety began to gnaw at the lining of my stomach.

The truth was...I was still shaken by his insinuation – that I didn’t know that he supported me.

I couldn’t think of a time when I’d heard him so serious. Up until that moment, Cam had been my quiet shoulder to lean on, a man who just let me speak about my troubles when I felt comfortable enough, but never once did he force me to tell him anything. I never thought anything of it because I was too busy feeling sorry for myself. Also, he has such an amazing life going for himself. We were friends, but that didn’t mean he needed to put his life on hold just to help me get mine back on track. Or maybe I just didn't want to be a real burden to him.

But I never thought to ask him how he really felt. Like, how do you ask your friend how they feel about you enduring emotional and verbal abuse on a daily basis? That just seemed like an insensitive thing to ask. It was already bad enough that I bothered him with all that stuff in the first place. I refused to make things worse. If I did anything that caused me to lose such a wonderful friend, I’d never forgive myself.

After a while, Cam and all called it a day at Mayfair. The drive home was quieter than the meal we shared as I watched Greenview pass by once more. The knot of dread in my stomach tightened as we got closer and closer to the motel. I hated the silence but I didn't want the day to end. If it ended, that meant tomorrow would be here, which meant it would be time for me to check out of the motel. It would be absolute carnage once I returned home, and I'm sure my mother wouldn't waste any time lashing out at me. But I had nowhere else to go.

“Hey Nonon, we’re here.” I blinked, surprised to see the front door of the motel just outside of Cam’s car. “Where were you just now?”

“Just thinking, I guess,” I managed, finding my voice. “Wondering if I should take off Monday and add another day to my stay.”

“Not ready to go home yet, huh?” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Of course not," I replied with a long exhale. "I know I can’t stay here forever, but one more day should be enough to top up my energy.”

“Maybe? Or maybe there's another option you could consider."

I arched an eyebrow. "Another option?"

"You can always check out and come crash at my house if it makes things easier." My eyes went wide at how easy the words came out of his mouth. "I have a very comfy couch I can sleep on and you can stay as long as you want. That way, you can keep saving up to move out.”

“Ummm…” The thought of bumping into Cam in various stages of undress almost knocked me off my feet. Standing well over six foot tall, Cam was visually and emotionally attractive. He had these hazel eyes that were hard to look at because they could easily draw you in with a glance. He took really good care of himself, the lines of his well-defined abs speaking through whatever shirt he happened to be wearing. Any other people who kill for the chance to see Cam that way. Yet the potential for seeing those naked abs for myself unsettled me. “Thank you, but it’s all good. I don’t want to impose on you like that and Peacetree isn’t that expensive.”

“I know it’s not, but I want to help you in any way that I can." The serious edge to this voice returned. He meant business. "I feel bad that I haven’t done anything for you so far.”

“You’ve done plenty for me, or does today not count?”

“You know what I mean. You’ve needed someone I haven’t been there like I should have been. But I want to make it up to you now.”

“Cam, where is this coming from? You have helped me. Especially since all I have is you, silly.” That serious tone extended to his countenance, only this time it has harder, fierce. My nails digged into the sides of the passenger seat. The tension in the car threatened to steal every ounce of air in my lungs. “Even if I did have more friends, you’d be the only one who knows everything. But you know I don’t like talking about my problems. When we’re together, I only want to focus on good things because being with you makes me happy.” My heart dropped into the pits of my stomach. “You…do know that, right?”

“Of course, I do. I'm glad that us hanging out makes you happy because being with you makes me happy, too." Warm relief washed over me as a smile spread across his face. I could breathe again. "I know you think you’re bothering me when you talk to me about your mom and everything, but I don’t mind when you do. I know how hard it is going through that stuff alone. I hate that you are going through it alone and that it took me this long to realize that I need to do something about it.”

“Cam, stop. Trust me, you’ve been doing plenty to help me. I mean that.”

“See, you say that but the fact that you’re about to miss a day of work to avoid going home right away says otherwise.”

My eyes began to water again. “See, this is why I shouldn’t have said anything. You don’t need to worry about this, you know I’ll handle it.”

“I know but, but you shouldn’t have to. You deserve so much more than what you’re dealing with. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Cam reached over and took my hand, looking me straight in the eyes. My breath hitched. Everything slowed all around me. The cars zooming behind us. The retail clerk that stepped outside to check on things. The pigeons that were pecking at some breadcrumbs left for them on the sidewalk. I heard somewhere that when something important is about to happen, something that will change your life in ways you never expect, the entire world stops. This was my once-in-a-lifetime moment. “And I want to give it to you…if you will let me.”

“Cam, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re kinda scaring me right now.” I laughed, unable to hide my anxiety. He expression remained serious, thoughtful. Something was coming. Something huge. “I’m doing to need you to dial it back - ”

“Let’s get married, Nicola.” My eyes went wide. Cam didn't flinch. “Marry me and let me help you live the life you truly deserve.”

The words hit me as hard as a punch to the gut.