Page 89 of I Loved You First

Fiona stood. “I should get home. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Brady hugged her. “Bye, best friend.”

“Aw,” she said as she hugged him back. “Bye, buddy.”

Brady ran for the stairs and stopped abruptly. “Don’t come back too soon so I have time to make your picture.”

She huffed out a quiet laugh. “I’ll be sure to take a long time.”

“Okay.” And then he disappeared down the hall.

Fiona pushed in her chair. “He’s such a sweetie, Cam.”

Smiling as he walked her way, he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist as he pulled her against him. “He’s pretty great, even when he’s unintentionally rude.”

Grinning as she returned his embrace, she stood on her tiptoes, kissing him. “Thanks for breakfast. Everything was truly tasty.”

“You’re welcome.” He kissed her this time. “You’ll be over this afternoon?”

She nodded. “I’ll bring Brady’s new backpack.”

“Sounds good.” Then he pressed his lips to her forehead, pausing there for several seconds as he pulled her closer.

Smiling, she closed her eyes, savoring his sweet gesture.

“What do you want for dinner?” he finally asked, holding her gaze again.

“How about you surprise me?”

“I can do that.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “And you’re still feeling good about the water park next weekend?”

She nodded her enthusiasm. “Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

“I’ll call and get us a reservation when Brady and I get back from our errands. We’ll tell him about it tonight.”

She grinned, thrilled at the idea. “That sounds perfect.”

He glanced toward the hall before he moved in for another kiss, deepening it slowly, sliding his tongue against hers.

She hummed, wrapping her arms tighter around him, getting lost in the moment.

Eventually, he eased back. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

“Okay.” Smiling, she took his hand, walking with him down the hall, stopping to grab her purse and slip on her sandals. “I’ll see you guys later.”

He nodded. “We’ll see you. Have fun with Melody.”

“Thanks.” Stepping outside, she headed for the truck, looking up and grinning when Brady knocked his hand against his bedroom window. She waved as he did, chuckling before she turned away.

But her smile dimmed as she started walking again, remembering that she had one full weekend left in Maple Ridge. Then she would board her plane and be gone. Getting behind the wheel, she shook her head, choosing to focus on the day ahead as she turned over the ignition.

twenty-three

Cam picked up his and Brady’s lunch mess while Brady sat at the dining room table, working on Fiona’s picture. Brady had been all business when he finished his meal, grabbing crayons, markers, and a larger piece of the paper they kept on hand for his creative projects.

“It looks like you’re working hard over there,” Cam commented, noting Brady’s furrowed brow and his tongue sticking slightly out as he drew with a black marker.

“Yup.”