Page 30 of I Loved You First

“You’re an amazing father.”

“I’m certainly trying.”

“You’re succeeding.”

“Thank you,” he said, sliding his thumb along her knuckles.

“I’m sorry it’s been so hard—that Brady doesn’t have the mother he deserves.”

And wasn’t it just like Fi—offering comfort when he’d been the one to cause her pain. “For the most part, I’m fine with the way things are. Ally and I have an agreement in place. She doesn’t have to pay me child support so long as she keeps her distance. I don’t want her popping in and out of Brady’s life.”

“That makes sense.”

He nodded. “If she decides she wants some sort of parental role, we’ll figure out something that works best for him.”

“That sounds really healthy.”

He nodded again. “Brady needs stability. He’s all that matters in the entire equation.”

Fiona nodded as they sat in the quiet again.

“We should go,” she eventually said.

“Sure.” Gaining his feet as she did, he walked with her the five blocks to Ivy Spring Street, neither of them talking much.

“This looks like your stop,” he said as they climbed her porch steps to stand in the dim exterior light.

“This is it.”

He sent her a small smile as they held each other’s gazes. “Thank you, Fi. For listening.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I wish there was something else I could say other than I’m sorry—something bigger or better that would make all the pain I’ve caused vanish. I never wanted to hurt you. Not ever.”

She nodded. “I know. I accept your apology.”

“So, where do we go from here?” The ultimate question he needed an answer to.

“I guess we try being friends,” she said as she held out her hand to him.

He took it, returning the handshake she was looking for. “Here’s to being friends.”

Then she surprised him for the second time as she closed the distance between them and wrapped him up in a hug.

He returned her embrace, shutting his eyes as he held her against him after so long.

“I’ve missed you, Cam.”

He pulled her tighter against him, settling his cheek against her hair. “I’ve missed you, too.”

She eased back, sliding her palms down his arms to hold his hands. “I’m happy you have Brady. That you got all the things you wanted.”

He nodded because he had an awesome son, a beautiful home, and a job he loved, but even so, he felt a constant low-grade feeling that something vital was missing from his life. As he stared at Fiona holding his gaze in the porch light, he had no doubt it was her—the stunning woman who lived hundreds of miles away.

Losing Fi would always be his biggest regret. She would always be the one who got away. “I’m happy you have your big, exciting life.”

“Thank you.” She smiled as she let him go, taking a step back. “I guess I’ll see you around.”