24. Cameron
I’m running on caffeine and pure adrenaline as I make breakfast. I have no idea how I’ll make it through the long-ass day ahead of me, but as they say, there’s no rest for the wicked.
I’m on my second cup of coffee as I finish making omelets.
Bacon is stacked on the plate beside the griddle, and Lizzy should arrive any time.
Emilia conked out immediately after getting out of the pool, and I’m not sure how long Megan and I stayed up talking last night, but it was far too late.
After filling her in on everything with Lizzy, she encouraged me to pursue things—not that I need her permission.
Apparently, I’ve never looked happier and after our outing, she is just as much in love with Lizzy as I am.
Love?
Did I really just go there?
Fuck, I think I did.
The sound of the front door clicking open has my heart jackhammering in my chest. Lizzy has a key, and we quickly learned that if she lets herself in, Emilia sleeps through her arrival. Milli plays hard and needs her rest for all the adventures she has with Lizzy each day.
Just the thought of seeing her again has me shutting off the griddle and beelining to the front door. When I round the corner, I find she’s barely made it inside. Her back is to me, and she’s balancing against the hall table as she toes off her Chucks.
Not wanting to startle her, I use this moment to take her in.
God, she’s gorgeous.
Her hunter-green hoodie is warm and cozy for the brisk morning walk to my house.
Her long, brown hair is hidden in one of those top-knot things girls wear.
She’s wearing the sexiest pair of jean shorts that accentuate her long, muscular legs and scrumptious curves.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve wished to peel those off her this summer.
If my sister and Milli weren’t somewhere inside the house, I’d gladly do it right now.
When she finally turns, her beautiful smile takes my breath away.
“Morning, Beautiful,” I whisper, stepping closer and cupping her cheek.
“Hey, handsome. How are you?”
I’ve spent weeks keeping my distance, and I’ll be damned if I waste another minute avoiding her. “Better now that you’re here,” I admit, lowering my lips to hers.
When her minty breath mingles with mine, everything I’ve been holding back lets loose. Our lips crash together, tongues tangle, and I get completely lost in Elizabeth Lancaster.
When the faint sounds of running feet catch my attention, I’m brought back to reality. At some point, Milli will learn about my feelings for Lizzy, but this isn’t how she should find out. Reluctantly, I break the kiss, leaving us both breathless.
“Daddy?” Milli calls out from the other side of the house. “Where are you?”
“Right here, Mills,” I answer. Then I squeeze Lizzy’s hand reassuringly. “You good?”
Running her fingers along her lips, she nods. “I could get used to greetings like that.”
“You and me both,” I admit. “I thought you’d never get here this morning.”
This earns me a beautiful laugh. “Hey now, I’m fifteen minutes earlier than normal. You weren’t waiting.”
Lowering my voice so only she can hear, I say, “Sweetheart, from the moment I drove away last night, I’ve been waiting to see you again.”
The second her jaw drops, a low chortle escapes my lips.
This woman’s adorable, and I think I might make it my mission to keep her on her toes. I love seeing how she reacts to the simplest of things.
Before she can respond, Milli enters the room. “I’m hungry, Daddy.”
“Mornin’, love bug. Did you sleep well?” I ask, scooping her into my arms for a hug.
“Uh-huh.” She nods adorably.
“Breakfast is ready, but let’s go potty first, then eat.”
To Lizzy, I suggest, “Make yourself a plate. We’ll be right back.”
Milli and I make quick work in the bathroom.
Since she was dry, I help her change into big girl panties from a Pull-Up.
Once she washes her hands, she eagerly selects a purple star sticker for staying dry all night.
She’s working for a new book at the bookstore when she fills the chart.
I’ll gladly buy the entire bookstore if it means she’s potty trained.
Like most three-year-olds, she has good days and bad days, but as long as she’s not too tired, she’s typically dry if I help her first thing when she wakes up.
To further reward her potty-training endeavor, I grab her special cherry-flavored ChapStick from the medicine cabinet and swipe it along her lips.
Never in a million years would I have thought this tiny tube would work miracles.
But alas it does—and it’s all thanks to Lizzy and her brilliant suggestion.
A few weeks ago, Emilia was having a difficult day potty training.
Lizzy offered her some of her ChapStick if she’d try using the toilet.
Emilia thinks Lizzy walks on water most days, so of course she tried and was successful.
Now, I can say my daughter will proudly poop on command if she knows she gets to wear her “Wipstick” as she calls it when she’s done.
I owe Lizzy everything for this little party trick, as my daughter is one step closer to being fully potty trained.
When we return from the bathroom, I’m pleased to find Megan and Lizzy both eating at the table.
They’re chatting away about their favorite places to hang out in Portland.
When Megan opens her arms to Milli, she rushes to sit beside her.
Megan’s got a plate ready for her and once she’s settled, Milli digs into those omelets like she hasn’t eaten in a week.
“If you’re shopping on Twenty-Third, you have to check out Salt & Straw,” Lizzy suggests. “That’s the only place my friends and I will venture out for late-night ice cream runs.”
“It’s rare I travel far from the airport if I’m only in town for an overnight layover. However, Cam’s taken me there a few times when I’ve visited. I love their unique flavors.”
“Really?” Lizzy looks from Cameron to me. “Have you tried their pear and blue cheese?”
“Uh, who eats ice cream with blue cheese?” I interject. “That sounds disgusting.”
“I do.” Lizzy proudly taps her chest twice. “Don’t knock it until you try it, mister.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” I chuckle, sitting beside her.
Warmth spreads through me when my leg bumps hers. “I take it you go often?”
“Only every chance I can. That’s one of the things I missed most when my car went belly up last spring… No more Salt & Straw.”
Even her pout is cute. How is that possible?
“That’s terrible. I’m not sure I could go without a car,” Megan commiserates.
Lizzy just shrugs. “Most everything I need is near campus, so it’s not too bad. Lanie and Ryan come to Portland regularly, and she’ll come get me if I wanna visit Seaside. The MAX isn’t too far away either.”
My stomach churns at the thought of her riding public transportation late at night. I know people ride it every day, but for some reason, this bit of information doesn’t sit well. She lived close to campus when we met, but where will she live next year? Will she have to ride it often?
“What about you, Cam?” my sister asks expectantly.
Staring at her dumbfoundedly, I admit, “Sorry, lost in thought. What did you ask?”
Rolling her eyes, my sister repeats, “After breakfast, we’re going to check out Painted Rock Beach. Mills painted some rocks last week with Lizzy, and she wants to contribute.”
Shit. I’d love to go, but I’m already cutting it close for my first meeting as it is. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve gotta scoot as soon as I finish breakfast, or I’ll be late.” Turning my attention to Milli, I ask, “Can you show me what you’ve been working on?”
Milli nods excitedly.
Just as she’s about to bolt from the table, Lizzy counters, “Let me wipe your fingers first.”
The second her hands are clean, Milli’s off to the races. She runs to the windowsill by the back door and picks up two large rocks I didn’t even notice were there.
And the parent of the year award for most observant goes to… Cameron Kruse.
In my defense, she’s been out of town, and I was rather distracted this weekend.
When she rushes back to the table, she points at me sternly.
“We had to let them dry. See, Daddy.” She proudly holds up a rock with what looks like a rainbow on one side and her name on the other.
“I made this one…” Then she lifts the other into view, and it clearly looks like a ladybug. “And My Iz made this one.”
“Have you been to Painted Rock Beach?” Lizzy asks as I inspect each rock with care.
“I can’t say that I have,” I admit.
“We can take Daddy when he’s not working,” Milli suggests.
“Most definitely, Mills. Maybe we can paint some rocks together for next time,” I add.
My daughter barely contains her excitement. “Really? You paint with me and My Iz?”
Pulling her in for a snuggle, I kiss the top of her head and say, “I’d love nothing more, sweet girl.”
“It’s not too far from the house,” Lizzy informs me.
“I, for one, am excited to see this rock beach,” Megan says, standing to clear her plate from breakfast. “I need to move a little before making the drive back to the airport.”
“Thanks again for coming, Megs. I know for a fact Milli enjoyed her weekend with you. I’m glad you could visit and see for yourself why I love this town so much.”
The moment I stand, she walks over and wraps her arms around me.
“I wish I could be here for the festival and see all your hard work come to fruition. I’m so proud of you, Cam. You’re doing an amazing job.”
Wrapping her in my arms, I squeeze her tight. “Thanks, Megs. Let’s make sure we get together again soon. I’ve missed you.”
“Once the festival is over, I’m sure your life will be less chaotic.”
I could only hope.
Chuckling, I add for good measure, “From your lips to God’s ears, as Mom says.”
“I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got a meeting. Give me a hug, Mills.”