Page 44 of Flawless

Her jaw dropped as she stepped back, gaping at me. “Seriously?”

I smirked. “Seriously.”

“Okay, how do you keep getting hotter?” She reached up, draping her arms around my neck. “Every little thing about you turns me on. How is that even possible?”

I loved that she thought so, because I felt the same way about her.

We’d agreed to dinner at Austin’s favorite steakhouse the following night and were already working on dessert and our second bottle of wine when my sister said, “So Cam, I hear you might be moving to Nashville at the end of your term.”

Rylee gave her the I can’t believe you just said that look, making Eden laugh.

“What?” she asked, palms upturned. “He’s my brother. I’m allowed to be nosy.”

“No, you’re not, sweetheart,” Austin muttered, shaking his head as he shot me an apologetic look.

“You know I have no problem telling you to mind your own business,” I said to my little sister as I stretched my arm across the back of Rylee’s chair. “Politeness doesn’t apply to siblings.”

Eden laughed, kicking me under the table. “Come on, you gotta give me something.”

“No, I really don’t.” I smirked, loving to see her squirm. “But I will tell you this…” I kissed Rylee’s temple. “I’m considering plenty of things I never thought I would.”

Rylee and Austin shared a look before he said, “My girlfriend’s prying is getting awkward. What do you say we hit the dance floor?”

Rylee laughed before accepting his hand. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Since the restaurant had a cool lounge vibe, with a small dance floor, surrounded by two bars and a singer with an acoustic guitar, I looked forward to taking a spin with Rylee myself before the night ended. I’d never danced with her before, and it was one of the millions of things I still wanted to experience with her.

“I didn’t mean to put you on the spot,” Eden said, polishing off her chocolate mousse. “But you can’t blame me for being curious. You relocating to Nashville is huge.”

I watched Rylee laugh at something Austin said and a knot formed in my chest. I’d have to leave her again tomorrow and that was the last thing I wanted to do.

“Yeah, it is. But what I’ve found with Rylee is pretty huge too, sis. This is what I’ve been waiting for, this feeling.” I brought the wine glass to my lips, finishing the last sip before I said, “I don’t know how the hell it happened so fast. I didn’t even think that was possible, but it turns out it is, and I’m done questioning it.”

“I don’t think it’s unheard of,” Eden said, sitting back in her seat. “You hear of insta-love all the time, right? People know on a first date they’ve found their soul mate and get married within a few months.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I’m a little too pragmatic to dive in that quickly, but I know what you mean.”

I’d heard of that happening with old-timers in our hometown and the communities I served. Some of the most enduring relationships seemed to have the shortest courtships sometimes.

“So, you think you’re in love with her?” Eden asked quietly, as she moved her dessert plate aside and leaned in, resting her arms on the table.

“I know I am.”

Eden squeaked before covering her mouth with her hand when I frowned at her. “I’m sorry, but this is so exciting! You and Rylee are perfect for each other. She helps you to lighten up and not take life so seriously and you help to ground her, and make her feel safe. A couple who complements each other like that… it’s everything.”

I liked the way my sister described our relationship, it highlighted the reasons it worked.

“I tried to convince myself she was all wrong for me,” I admitted. “Too young, a little too wild, afraid of commitment, but she’s proven how wrong I was. She’s young, but mature. Wild and sexy, but she can be serious and hard working too. And as for the commitment?” I drew a deep breath. “She’s all in with me, sis. I can feel it.”

I didn’t need a ring or a piece of paper or a label to know this girl loved me with everything she had.

Eden covered my hand with hers. “I’ve never seen you like this.” Her eyes shone with tears. “And I love that you’re willing to be the man Rylee needs, because I love that girl. And as long as I’ve known her, I’ve prayed she’d find someone as strong as she is, to stand with her, and do this life thing.” She laughed. “I just never thought, in a million years, that would be you.”

A smile teased my lips when I said, “Yeah, we’re a pretty unlikely couple. But damn, it works.”

Chapter Seventeen

Rylee