Chapter 42 Cam
CAM
The pancake batter sizzled as it hit the griddle, filling the kitchen with the smell of butter and vanilla. Behind me, Emily laughed, followed immediately by Alice’s giggle.
“But what if I want to paint a dragon?” Alice was asking. “Can dragons live on rocks?”
“Dragons can live wherever they want,” Emily replied. “That’s the best part about dragons. They make their own rules.”
“I’m painting a butterfly,” Audrey announced. “With purple wings and sparkles.”
“Sparkles are essential.”
I glanced over my shoulder, spatula in hand. Emily sat between the girls at the kitchen table, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, wearing jeans and an old t-shirt that was covered in paint stains.
Her eyes flicked to mine and caught. Held for a beat longer than necessary.
Then Audrey tugged on her sleeve, pulling her attention back. “Do you think I should do yellow spots or keep it all purple?”
“Hmm, I think yellow spots would look great.”
I turned back to the griddle, flipping the pancakes with more focus than the task required. The batter bubbled and browned, edges crisping just right.
“How many pancakes can you eat, Emily?” Alice asked.
“Hmm, probably two. Maybe three if they’re really good.”
“Daddy makes the best pancakes in the whole world.”
“I don’t know about the whole world.” I slid the first batch onto a plate.
“Yes, the whole world,” Alice insisted. “Even better than Grandma’s.”
“I promise not to tell her you said that.” I brought the plate to the table, setting it down in the center. Steam rose from the stack, and both girls immediately reached for the top one.
“Cutlery,” I reminded them, pulling my seat out.
“I gotta admit, I feel pretty honored to be invited over for pancakes.” Emily smiled at the girls as she stabbed a pancake with her fork and dropped it onto her plate.
“You’re the guest of honor.” I leaned back, coffee in hand. “I haven’t been able to get a word in edge-wise about anything else since I told them you were coming.”
Plus, any excuse to have her sitting across from me looking that gorgeous was fine by me.
I poured syrup over my own stack, watching Alice do the same with hers. Too much syrup, as always, but I didn’t stop her. Pick your battles.
“Pretty sure rock painting is now Alice’s favorite hobby.”
“I’ve got seventeen rocks,” Alice announced proudly, syrup already on her chin. “Some of them are really smooth.”
“Seventeen is a very respectable collection.”
Audrey cut into her pancake carefully, the way she did everything. “I only got twelve, but mine are better shaped.”
“Quality over quantity,” Emily agreed, taking a bite. Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh wow, Alice wasn’t exaggerating. These are really good.”
“I’m glad you like them.” No need to get all gooey because the woman you’re fall — seeing compliments your cooking.
I ate my pancakes and watched her. The way she leaned in when Alice whispered something. The way she nodded seriously when Audrey explained her color theory. The way she fit into this moment like she was made for it.
Emily glanced up again, mid-sentence, and our eyes met. This time neither of us looked away immediately. Her lips curved into a small smile, soft and private, just for me.
I lost myself in that smile for a moment, until Alice broke the spell by saying in a very loud voice, “I would like to paint now! Can we? Pleeeease?”
“Plates to the sink first,” I said, giving myself a mental shake.
Both girls groaned but obeyed, carrying their dishes across the kitchen. They clattered them into the sink with more enthusiasm than care, then turned back to us with expectant faces.
“Now?”
Emily laughed. “Now. Go get your rocks.”
They took off running, feet pounding down the hallway toward their playroom where they’d stashed their rock collection. Their voices carried back, debating whether dragons should be green or red.
The kitchen went quiet.
Emily stood, gathering the syrup and butter. I picked up the serving plate and followed her to the counter. We were alone.
As soon as she set everything down, I reached for her, one hand curling around her waist, pulling her in.
“What about the girls?” She was a little breathless as her hands landed on my chest.
“Just one kiss.”
I leaned in and captured her mouth, and she melted into it immediately.
Her fingers curled into my shirt as I backed her against the counter, the kiss deepening, turning hungry.
She tasted like maple syrup and something that was just her, and I couldn’t get enough.
My other hand slid up to cup her jaw, angling her head so I could kiss her properly.
When I finally pulled back, my heart was hammering and she looked slightly dazed, her lips swollen.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway.
“We found them!” Alice burst into the kitchen, arms full of rocks. Audrey was right behind her, carrying a smaller collection with much more care.
Emily stepped away smoothly, reaching for her bag on the counter. “Great! I brought some of my paints to share.”
“Really?” Audrey’s eyes lit up. “Like real paints?”
“Real paints. Acrylics. They’ll work great on rocks.”
Outside, I spread the plastic tablecloth over the patio table while Emily unpacked her paints. The girls had already dumped out their rock collection, debating which ones were dragon-worthy and which were better suited for butterflies.
Once everything was set up, I stepped back, leaning against the veranda railing, ready to watch the show.
Emily handed Alice a brush, showing her how to hold it properly. “Not too much paint, or it’ll get goopy. Just a little at a time.”
Alice nodded seriously, dipping her brush with exaggerated care. The tip came back loaded with bright red paint.
“Like this?”
“Perfect.”
“Emily…”
Emily instantly turned her attention to Audrey. “What is it, sweetheart?”
Audrey stared at her rock, brush hovering uncertainly over the paint palette. Her forehead creased in concentration, that telltale sign she was overthinking things. “I don’t know what color to use.”
Emily leaned closer, studying the rock like it was a serious artistic decision. “What do you want your dragon to look like?”
“I don’t know.” Audrey’s voice went smaller, that frustration creeping in when she couldn’t make up her mind. “What if I pick the wrong one?”
“There’s no wrong color for a dragon,” Emily said gently. She reached over and touched Audrey’s shoulder, just a light reassuring contact. “Dragons can be any color you want. Purple dragons, green dragons, rainbow dragons. It’s your dragon, so you get to decide.”
Audrey bit her lip, considering. “What about blue? Like the sky?”
“Blue would be beautiful.” Emily picked up the blue paint, swirling the brush through it to demonstrate. “See? It’s a pretty color. And if you don’t like it once you start, we can always paint over it or try a different rock.”
That seemed to do the trick. Audrey’s shoulders relaxed, and she took the brush from Emily with renewed confidence. “Okay. Blue.”
Alice held up her rock, scrutinizing the blob of red she’d applied. “Does this look like a real dragon?”
Emily’s expression was serious as she surveyed the rock. “Absolutely. It’s very dragon-y.”
There was a break in the questions while the girls focused on painting.
Emily took the opportunity to glance at me again and she smiled.
That same soft private smile from earlier, before she turned back to Alice.
My heart did a slow, painful roll in my chest, then squeezed so tight I could barely breathe.
Oh.
Oh, fuck.
This wasn’t just sex anymore. Wasn’t just easy conversation and convenient proximity and really good chemistry. This was something else entirely. Something with roots that had dug in deep while I wasn’t paying attention.
The realization settled over me, quiet and undeniable. Not dramatic. Not earth-shattering. Just true.
I rubbed at my sternum. I should be terrified. I was a single dad with a business to run and enough baggage to fill a moving van. But watching her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, all I felt was an overwhelming sense of clarity.
This was real. This mattered.
Emily glanced up again, and this time her smile faded into something more questioning. “What is it?”
I blinked, realizing I’d been staring. “Nothing.”
She tilted her head, studying me with careful attention. “You sure?”
What was I supposed to say? That I’d just realized I was falling for her while she taught my five-year-old about color theory? That watching her with my daughters made me want things I hadn’t let myself want in years?
Not here. Not now. Not with Alice’s dragon scales drying on the table between us.
“Yeah, uh, just thinking about some work stuff.” The lie came out smooth. Easy. Thank fuck. I rubbed at my chest again and forced myself to focus on the girls. “How’s it going over here?”
“Look!” Alice held up her rock, now covered in red scales with white spots. “It’s a baby dragon!”
“That’s amazing, monster.”
Audrey was working on butterfly wings, her strokes careful and deliberate. “Emily says I’m a natural.”
“You are,” Emily said. “You have a very steady hand.”
I pulled out the fourth chair and sat down, close enough to be part of things but far enough that I could breathe. The girls continued painting, asking questions, showing off their progress. Emily kept answering, kept encouraging, kept being exactly who she was.
And I kept watching her, trying not to think about what the hell I was supposed to do with feelings this big.