Page 56 of The Brooklyn Way
“Girl, what did you make, because we’re hungry as hell. I just flew in from Jackson Island; that’s where me and Cameron are from. My plane left at six twenty-five this morning. All I had time to get was coffee and a donut. Brooklyn flew in from Londynville, Kentucky. Did you eat, Brook?”
I shook my head. When I decided that Chicago was where I needed to be, food hadn’t even crossed my mind.
Genesis looked at us thoughtfully. “Uh, what I made for him is really, really healthy. I mean, he has to prepare for training camp and the pre-season. It’s just chicken two different ways, some salmon and a huge bowl of green salad. You guys probably wouldn’t want that.”
“Well, if he has groceries, would you fix us something and add it to his bill?”
I gave her a light push. “Carri! You can’t just ask her to make something for us like that. Genesis isn’t the help. She’s a professional chef. She’s your brother’s professional, personal chef.”
Carrington’s eyes widened in embarrassment. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking-- acting like this is a restaurant where I can just order. I’m so sorry, Genesis. Being famished makes me delusional.”
Genesis snickered. “I don’t have another client for about an hour and a half. That’s long enough for me to make… chicken and waffles.”
“God bless you, Genesis!”
We finished cleaning the kitchen and were walking Genesis to the door when it opened. There stood Cameron.
“Hey. You make me something good t—” He stopped talking to Genesis as his eyes landed on me. “Yeah.” The gym bag that was in his hand fell to the floor as he stalked toward me.
Before I could even think to react, I was in his arms. I yelped in surprise when my feet lifted from the floor. “Cameron!”
“Baby,” he chanted softly into my ear. “Baby.”
“You were right; twenty-five days was unrealistic. I honestly couldn’t take another day.”
His lips captured mine in a deep, longing kiss that seemed to go on and on.
I vaguely heard Genesis say her goodbyes with the door closing behind her. I thought I heard Carrington mumble something about the guest room, but I couldn’t swear to it.
“You’re here,” he said once he finally broke the kiss but kept a tight hold on me.
“I’m here. I woke up this morning, and I knew that I’ve been operating out of fear. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
“Good. Where’d you pick up Carrington?”
I giggled. “We met up at the airport. We were both coming to Chicago. I was coming to see and talk to you. I don’t know why she’s here.”
“The baker that’s making her wedding cake is here. I think she came for a final consultation or something.”
“She had to come all the way to Chicago for a cake? There are no good bakers on Jackson Island?”
“Nah. There’s all kinds of good bakers on the island and in Charleston. She saw this place on The Good Eats Channel or something. She wanted these people, so Bryce told her she could have them.”
“I think it’s so sweet when men give the women they love the things that will really make them happy.” I snuggled against his hard chest.
“I think it’s sweet when women do it for the men they love.” He stared down at me, his chocolate brown eyes locked on mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I whispered.
10
Brooklyn
Five Weeks Later
Carrington’s Wedding
The mid-October wedding ceremony of Carrington Field and Bryce Parks was a beautiful affair that took place at one of the oldest churches on Jackson Island. As I stood between Nyrah and another bridesmaid watching the lovebirds say their vows, I couldn’t stop the tears that tumbled from my eyes. And every time I peeked across the aisle to where Cameron and the other attendants were standing, I couldn’t help the palpitations in my heart.