Novel Square
66
I’d just worried that somehow, someway, Hannah would find out. I didn’t want her to. I wanted that conversation to go exactly as I’d planned, taking place the day after I got back from this trip, when Camden and I would drive to her house and confess.
A conversation I was dreading with every ounce of me.
But for some strange reason, my conscience felt the tiniest bit lighter by not having Camden join me on this trip. That even though we were doing everything behind her back, lying and betraying her trust, this vacation was honest.
It wasn’t deceitful.
It was one less thing I felt wrong about.
Oh God.
I hated myself.
For all of this.
I squinted my eyes together and said, “I know.”
“You’re going to have the best time. It’ll be a total unplug from work, life-all the things. And even if you don’t make it out for any hikes-because, girl, I’m terrified that if you go alone, you’ll be kidnapped, or you’ll be eaten by some wild cougar or ten-foot snake-you’re going to die when you see the spa. Jenner assures me that this hotel is one of the nicest properties that the Spades have.”
I wrapped my sweater tightly around myself. “I can’t wait.”
“I need you to check in every couple of hours-do you hear me? I’m going to be worried sick about you.”
I listened to the announcement, letting me know that I was free to board, and I grabbed my oversize purse and slung it over my shoulder, making my way toward the gate agent. “I’m going to be fine. Don’t worry about me. I travel all the time for work-you know that-so I’m used to eating dinner alone and finding my way around.”
“My rock star. Your independence is inspiring. But listen to me, lady. Your hot ass had better still check in at least twice a day. I need to know when you wake up and go to bed, so I don’t send out a search party.”
I laughed. “Hold on a sec, Hannah.” I exited out of the Call screen and pulled up my boarding pass, and the gate agent scanned my phone before I headed for the jetway. “All right, I’m back. I promise you’ll hear from me twice a day.” Since I was one of the first to board and there was no line, I made my way straight to my seat. “Are you on your way to court?”
“I am … sigh. It’s going to be a long couple of days, I’m afraid. I’d better see you as soon as you get back.”
I placed my bag down in front of me and put on my seat belt. The weight of the strap felt like a thousand pounds as it crossed my stomach. “You will, babe.”
“Fly safe. Text me later-don’t forget. I love you.”
“Love you too,” I said and hung up.
I reached for my Kindle and noise-canceling headphones, and before I tossed my phone into my bag, I wrote out a text to Camden.
ME
Taking off in a few minutes. Miss you already.
CAMDEN
Fly safe, baby. Text me when you land.
ME
I will.
CAMDEN
I love you, Oaklyn.
ME
I love you more.
Camden
I
f Oaklyn thought she was going to Arizona by herself, she was wrong. There was no way in hell I was letting my girl go on vacation alone to enjoy one of the most gorgeous states, where she’d be hiking and going solo to the spa. I just couldn’t let that happen. The advantage I had was having access to a private plane that could land directly in Sedona, whereas Oaklyn had to first fly into Phoenix and pick up her rental car and make the drive into the desert.
She texted me when she landed, and that was when I started initiating my plan.
Everything I needed was waiting for me at the hotel.
Of course, having a best friend who was the CFO of the hotel brand certainly made that easier. There were bags of rose petals to be scattered across the floor and candles that had to be lit. A bottle of champagne that was waiting to be set on ice.
I made sure the front desk alerted me when Oaklyn checked in.
The scene down there would look completely normal to her. She’d be asked for a credit card in case of incidentals and given a key, but she wouldn’t be told that I’d upgraded the room to the nicest suite at the hotel or that I was waiting for her inside.
The suite was over two thousand square feet, so there were endless places for me to hide. But I didn’t want to scare the shit out of her. I wanted to be in a position where I could witness her expression when she walked in the door, where I could stand subtly and then make my presence known.
So, after getting notified from the front desk, I moved into the doorway of the bedroom and leaned my back into the frame. The bedroom was off the living room, kitty-corner to the entrance, putting me away from her direct line of sight when she came through the door.
Something that would be happening any second since I heard the click of the lock and watched the door handle turn. As she stepped in with a bag hanging over her shoulder and a suitcase behind her that she rolled in, the first thing she noticed was the rose petals.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
“Awww.” A smile grew across her gorgeous face as she followed the red trail, taking in the flickering candles that were also on the floor, her gaze rising as she scanned the room, where there were more petals and dancing flames.
“My God,” she whispered, her head slowly shaking, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The movement sent pieces of her hair into her gorgeous face.
Fuck, I was one lucky man.
Even after hours of sitting at an airport and on a plane, driving to Sedona, she was still breathtaking.
The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.
And even though I’d told her, there was no question in my mind.
No doubt.
No fear of what would happen in the future.
Oaklyn Rose was going to be my wife.
She hooked the strap of her purse over the handle of her suitcase, sitting it on top and making sure it was secure before she stepped away.
It was in that moment, her quick second glance that stretched farther across the room, that sent her eyes to me.
A few seconds passed until she realized what she was looking at.
That I was really here.
And once it hit her, an expression moved across her face, one that was filled with so much fucking love. “Camden …”
I smiled. “Surprise.”