Silver Linings (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

2. Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Greg

I lean back in my chair and let out a long sigh, staring at the papers strewn across my desk—client portfolios, investment reports, financial statements. Being a financial planner is rewarding, but days like this make me feel like I’m drowning in a sea of numbers. The phone starts ringing again and I groan.

“Greg Freeman,” I answer, trying to keep the weariness out of my voice.

It’s Mrs. Anderson, one of my first clients, calling to discuss her retirement accounts for the third time this week. I grab a pen and start jotting down the occasional note as she speaks, making affirming noises at the appropriate moments.

As I listen, my gaze wanders around my home office, taking in the half-painted walls. Cam and I bought this cottage last year, full of grand plans to transform it into our dream home. But between my long hours at work and Cam running the coffee shop, the renovations have been slow going. The unpainted drywall is a reminder of all the projects we still need to complete. The priorities are the absolutely ancient kitchen, and the bathroom that I’m doing up as a surprise for Cam.

I snap my focus back to the conversation. “Yes, Mrs. Anderson, I agree that’s a smart allocation for your 401k at this stage. Why don’t I run some projections and give you a call next week to discuss further?”

After a few more minutes, I finally manage to end the call and set the phone down with a shake of my head. At this rate, I’ll be lucky to get out of here to make the reservation—poor Cam will be waiting at Jake’s Tap, wondering where the hell I am.

My eyes land on the framed photo of Cam and I on our wedding day, arms wrapped around each other, both grinning ear to ear. I smile despite my exhaustion. I know Cam won’t mind waiting for me—he’s always patient and understanding, even when I’m consumed by work. He’s stood by me through thick and thin, including supporting me while I got the business off the ground.

I push back from my desk and stand up, stretching my stiff muscles as I look out the window. Our small yard is more bare dirt and weeds than grass, but we have big plans. A huge deck for summer barbeques, a vegetable garden, eventually a swing set and perhaps a trampoline. I want to create a home here with Cam, a real home, where we can relax and entertain and raise our family. We’ll get there, we’ll finish the renovations and turn this house into everything we’ve dreamed of.

I glance at my watch to see I’m definitely running late. “Damn.”

It’s been a long day, but the thought of a night out fills me with a burst of energy. I hurry to freshen up, changing into a comfortable pair of jeans and the soft blue sweater that Cam gave me for my birthday last year. As I pull the sweater over my head, I smile at the memory of when he gave it to me. “It matches your eyes,” he’d said. “And it’ll keep you warm when I’m not there to do it myself.”

In the bathroom, I splash some water on my face and pat it dry with a towel. I run a hand through my curls, trying to tame them into submission. It’s never going to work, but I give it my best shot anyway, then I’m grabbing my keys and am on my way out the door.

Outside, the evening air is crisp, and I hurry to the car that’s parked on the street. Jake’s Tap isn’t too far from our house and in finer weather, I’d walk to the town center, but it’ll be colder later. Plus, if I drive I’ll get there sooner. I’m looking forward to the company of friends, but most of all I’m looking forward to seeing Cam.

The familiar glow of Jake’s Tap comes into view. I park and head toward the building, a spring in my step, eager for some good food and fun conversation. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, I’m enveloped by the warmth and sounds of the popular local spot. The air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of burgers and fries, mingling with the rich scent of beer and the faint undertone of old wood and peanuts.

I scan the room, and there he is—Cam, seated at a table with Georgia and Felix. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him—his hazel eyes sparkling and his infectious grin lighting up the room.

As I approach the table, I catch their conversation.

“I’m telling you, guys,” Georgia says, as she leans in conspiratorially, “Mrs. Walsh was definitely giving Mr. Hill the eye at the store today. I thought his wife was going to have a conniption right then and there!”

Felix chuckles, eyes twinkling with amusement. “I bet Kit could write a whole novel based on the drama in this town alone.”

“Speaking of novels, how’s he doing with his latest manuscript?” Georgia asks.

“Oh, you know Kit,” Felix replies. “He’s holed up in his study, lost in his own little world. I swear, sometimes I think he loves his characters more than he loves me!”

They all laugh at that, and I join in. Cameron looks up, his grin widening as he takes me in. “Hey, babe,” he says, “I’m glad you’re here.”

I slide into the chair next to him, my hand finding his beneath the table and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Sorry I’m late. Thought I’d never get here. I couldn’t get Mrs. A off the phone.”

“Again?”

“She just needs reassurance with her retirement coming up,” I say. “Long winded phone calls are a small price to pay if it gives her peace of mind.”

He smiles at me. “Actually, I was telling Georgia and Felix earlier how hard you’re working at the moment. Between the needy clients and the house renovations, you hardly have a moment to yourself.”

I shrug and offer a small smile. “It’s all worth it.”

Felix leans forward, his elbows resting on the table as he grins at me. “So, Greg, still have time for knitting? How’s it coming along? Have you moved on from squares to rectangles yet?”

I raise my eyebrows in mock offense at his teasing. “Hey, don’t knock my squares! Those blankets keep many people warm during the cold Collier’s Creek winters.”

Georgia reaches across the table to pat my hand. “What you’re doing is really admirable. I’m sure those blankets mean the world to the people who receive them.”

Despite myself, pride swells in my chest. “Thanks, Georgia. It feels good to help in some small way.”

Cam leans in, his shoulder brushing against mine as he smiles at me. “You’re making a difference, babe. Never doubt that.”

I warm at the show of support from Cam and my friends, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Enough about me, though. Felix, I heard you talking about Kit. How’s he doing with his new manuscript? You said he’s been burning the midnight oil?”

Felix’s face lights up as the conversation turns back to his partner. They’ve been together for about a year now and his love for Kit shines through. “He’s doing great! The story is really coming together, and he’s excited about where it’s headed. I keep telling him to take more breaks, but you know how he gets when he’s in the zone.”

I nod, familiar with Kit’s single-minded focus when he’s working on a writing project. He’s become a close friend since he fell for Felix and decided to stay in town. “Well, make sure he knows we’re all rooting for him,” I say. “Hopefully he’ll be able to make our next get-together.”

Cam passes me a glass filled with beer from the pitcher on the table and the conversation flows easily. The stress of the day falls away, and I don’t feel guilty for taking an evening away from the renovations. Watching Cam share stories and laugh with our friends puts a smile on my face and I’m reminded why I fell in love with him in the first place. He’s so generous with his friendship, doing anything to support the people he cares about. He offers to help Felix move some furniture, and his offer doesn’t surprise me at all.

His gaze falls on me often, and he places his hand on my knee as he talks. I like the constant contact, as if he can’t keep his hands off me, because that’s exactly how I feel. But eventually I have to tear myself away to go take a leak and so I excuse myself from the table. When I come out of the men’s room, Cam’s waiting in the dim hall, leaning against the wall. He steps forward at my approach and takes my hand in his.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“I just wanted to tell you how much I love you,” he says, his voice low.

I huff a laugh and smile. “I know. But what’s brought this on?”

A grin splits his face. “I’m just so fucking excited. And happy. Everything is falling into place.”

I squeeze his hand, my throat tight. “I feel the same way.”

He smiles, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips.

We stay like that for a long moment until he eventually breaks the contact. “We should probably get back,” he says, but he doesn’t move, his eyes still fixed on mine.

“Yeah, probably,” I say, not wanting to let go of his hand.

We make our way back to the table, our hands still entwined. Georgia rolls her eyes and groans as her eyes land on our hands. “God, you two. Still so loved up.”

Felix gives her a gentle nudge. “Hmm. Jealous, much?”

“Yep. Totally.” She laughs.

Our meals are delivered—sky-high burgers, crispy fries, and more ice-cold beer. It’s familiar and comforting. I take a bite of my burger, the flavors exploding on my tongue, and moan in appreciation.

Cam gives me a wink when I catch his eye. A flush creeps up my neck, my heart skipping a beat. Even after all these years, he still has the power to make me feel like the lovesick teenager I was when we first got together.

I listen to the chatter around the table as I eat, my thoughts consumed by memories of the two of us as teenagers. God, I had a crush on him! He was all gangly limbs after a growth spurt, but that smile—it melted by heart. I fell fast and hard and, to my amazement, he did too. We got together young—true high-school sweethearts and I can’t imagine my high school years without him by my side. Then my thoughts drift to the breakup, the one mistake that could have cost me the most important thing in my life. I remember the pain of that time apart. We never should have allowed ourselves to be convinced we needed to sow our wild oats before settling down. But even then, deep down, we knew we belonged together, and it didn’t take long for us to find our way back to each other. Now, here I am, in exactly the place I’m meant to be. I reach for Cam’s hand and give it a squeeze. He meets my eyes and my smile matches his.

Once the meal is finished and the bill settled, we all linger for a moment outside on the sidewalk.

“This was fun,” Georgia says. “We should do it again soon.”

“Definitely,” Cam agrees. “Maybe next time we can drag Kit out of his writing cave and get him to join us.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Felix says, “but no promises.”

After hugs and goodbyes and the promise to get together soon, Cam and I head toward the car, his arm slung over my shoulders. Contentment washes over me. I give in to temptation and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for tonight.”

“I had a great time,” he replies, “but I can’t wait to get home and have you all to myself.”

And with that, we make our way home, where I’m determined to show him just how much I love him.