Chapter 14 #2
“What’s that smile for?”
“The nickname.” I feel my cheeks heat up. “I like hearing it again.”
He reaches for me and slides his thumb over the apple of my cheek. “I like saying it.”
I think back to the first time he called me Shortcake. I laughed in his face, mostly because when I think of that nickname, I picture someone small—or specifically, short. I’m far from short. I’m five-nine, thanks to my dad’s Scandinavian roots, which is probably why the nickname makes me laugh.
It actually stems from my favorite dessert.
The first time we went and had ice cream at the diner, I ordered the strawberry shortcake.
A piece of shortcake, a big heap of vanilla ice cream, and yummy summer strawberries, freshly picked from a local berry farm.
It was my favorite then, and it’s still my favorite now.
“Thank you for the pizza,” he says, pulling me away from my memories.
“You’re welcome.”
“I had a great time.”
I snort. “You were a trampoline for a three-year-old.”
He smiles easily and widely. “Yeah, and I loved it.” He moves toward the back door and slips his feet into his boots. He doesn’t bother lacing them up, just tucks the laces into the boots themselves before opening the door. “Lock up when I leave.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease, giving him a mocking salute.
His blue eyes heat up as he stares back at me. It feels familiar and causes another stir of life between my legs.
“Lock up,” he states a second time before turning and exiting my house.
I move to the door and watch as he walks to his property.
I expect him to go to his garage, maybe to still get a little work done, considering it’s not even nine.
But he passes by the garage and heads for his house.
When I lose sight of him, I flip both the knob lock and the deadbolt and return to the kitchen.
I move straight to the window and within thirty seconds, I spot him.
He walks straight to the matching window, as if to look over at me too.
Our eyes meet from across the way, and we both just stand there.
It feels like there’s so much distance between us, yet for the first time since I returned and came face-to-face with him, it feels like that distance might be drawing shorter.
At least I hope it is, because at the end of the day, if I can walk away with a friend out of all this, Theo and I will be better off.
But that kiss didn’t feel friendly…
It felt romantic.
It felt right.
I lift my hand and give him a little wave before forcing myself to walk away from the window.
I could stand there and stare at him all night, but then I’ll be a zombie at work tomorrow, and my clients deserve better than that.
And I actually have a few clients on my books.
With each day that passes, my client list is growing, and thanks to the fact Jenn and Lila are still happily passing the walk-ins over to me, I was already able to set aside my salon rent for next month and have a big jump on my next round of bills for the house.
With the kitchen already clean, I flip off the light and move to the living room. The blocks are already picked up, thanks to Camden when they were finished playing with them. He insisted Theo pick them up before books were read.
I consider sitting on the couch and finding something to watch on TV, but I don’t think my mind will calm enough to watch anything.
Instead, I go to the bathroom and get ready for bed.
I wash my face and brush my teeth before staring at myself in the mirror.
There’s a light in my eyes, one I’m not sure I’ve seen in a while.
Is Camden the reason?
Probably.
My fingers brush across my lips, the taste of his mouth still lingering on them. When was the last time I was kissed like that? Well, that’s an easy answer. More than seven years ago, and it was by the very man who kissed me dizzy tonight.
I flip off the light and peek into the bedroom next door, finding my son sleeping soundly.
The sight of him makes my heart sing with joy and a smile cross my lips.
I don’t close the door, because I always want him to be able to get to me if he needs help or for me to be able to hear him if he calls out.
I place my phone on my bedside charger and change into a pair of flannel pajamas and a clean pair of soft socks before moving to my bed and slipping beneath the comforter.
I flip on the bedside light and grab an old paperback sitting on my nightstand, but as I start to read the words, they just don’t register.
It’s a romantic mystery, where the heroine and hero fall in love while surrounded by the suspense in a whodunit investigation.
And while I love a good mystery, I just can’t seem to focus on the story unfolding.
Just as I close the book, my phone chimes with an incoming text.
Camden
Are you asleep?
Me
No, reading.
Camden
Oh, I can let you go.
Me
It’s okay. I actually had just closed my book. I can’t concentrate.
Camden
Oh. Yeah. I get that. I sat down to watch some TV, but I think I’ve been staring at an episode of The Golden Girls for the last fifteen minutes without realizing it.
A giggle slips from my mouth.
Me
Which one’s your favorite?
Camden
Uhhh… I plead the Fifth.
Me
Fair enough.
Camden
Have you been thinking about where you want to go to dinner?
Me
Not really. We don’t have too many options in Cooper Town.
Camden
We can go out of town.
Me
No, that’s silly. There are great restaurants here. What about the diner? I’ve had lunch from there, but haven’t had dinner yet.
Camden
If that’s what you want. It’s got a pretty broad menu, so it should be easy to find something for Theo.
He’s absolutely right. They always have a great variety of menu options, and as long as they have either mac and cheese or maybe a grilled cheese and fries, Theo will be happy.
Me
Let’s go to the diner.
Camden
You sure?
Me
Yes.
Camden
Ok, we’ll plan on that, but if you change your mind, we can go anywhere.
Me
All right.
Camden
Can I ask you a question?
Me
Of course.
Camden
What do you like to do in your free time?
Me
I read. My old apartment wasn’t too far from the public library, and I’d take Theo every week to get a few books. I’d get some for myself too.
Camden
What do you read?
Me
I love mysteries, so usually those. Romantic suspense too.
I feel myself blush and wiggle beneath the blankets. The ache between my legs is back, and the last thing I need is to talk about romance with the very man who seems to ignite those dirty thoughts I’ve suddenly been plagued with. Before he can reply, I fire off the same question to him.
Me
What about you?
Camden
Do I like to read? The answer is still no. I used to have a gorgeous young woman help me with my homework back in the day because I hated reading. But if I’m not in my garage working on something, I love to camp, four-wheel, and fish. I wish I could do it every weekend.
Camden
You been recently?
Me
No.
Not since I left town after graduation…
Camden
Maybe we’ll go sometime. I bet Theo would love it.
I want to ask which part, but honestly, the answer is he’ll love all of it. It seems he can’t get enough of Camden, so if he suggests it, I’m sure Theo will be all in.
Me
That would be nice.
Hope bubbles in my chest once more.
Camden
I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re ready for bed. Or to get back to your book.
I contemplate whether I want to send the reply I quickly type out and decide to just go for it. It’s the way I feel, so I might as well say it.
Me
I kinda like talking to you. Again.
His reply doesn’t come right away, and I start to worry I took a step too far, so when my phone chimes with the notification, I let out of sigh of relief.
Camden
Same, Shortcake.
Camden
Have a good night.
Me
You too.
I replace my phone on the charger and curl up on my side. I fall asleep quicker than expected, and when I do, there’s a big smile on my face.