Page 99 of I Loved You First

Cam nodded. “You’re definitely all set for kindergarten.”

Brady’s smile faded as he looked at his stuff again. “I want to make my Legos with Fiona.”

Cam swallowed, hating the hell out of this entire situation. “I can make them with you.”

Brady nodded. “But how can I give Fiona my picture? How can I ask her to be my mom?”

Cam exhaled a quiet breath, ready to talk about what he hadn’t been last night. “I didn’t know you wanted Fiona to be your mom.”

Brady nodded again. “I do.”

“Moms are pretty special. Being a mom or dad is an important job.”

“Yup,” he said with another nod. “Fiona gives me nice hugs. And she reads books to me and cooks good food that’s gluten-free. Owen’s and Davis’ moms do that stuff, too, so Fiona can be my mom.”

“I can see your logic there.”

Brady nodded. “But Fiona’s even better ’cause she says I make her heart happy. And she swims with me like a dolphin in the lake and lets me help her shop for parties. And I get to help her blow up balloons and look at her house in the sky on the computer.”

“That’s a lot of cool stuff.”

Brady’s shoulders sagged as his head bobbed again. “Maybe we can make a video on your phone, and she can come over like when I had her surprise that I picked out with Grammy.”

Cam wrapped his arm around Brady’s shoulders, realizing that Brady still didn’t quite get it. It was tempting to call Fiona again. He desperately craved to do something to make anything about this situation even remotely better, but instinct told him to wait a few days until things were a little less raw. The last thing he wanted was for Fi to block him. “It’s a long way back to Vermont, bud.”

“That’s why she flies on an airplane to come here.”

“She does, but she can’t right now.” He hugged Brady closer, giving comfort as he took it. “Are you up for a swim or for building your new Legos?”

Brady shook his head. “I’m going to make Fiona a new picture that we can bring to Ms. Stella because Ms. Stella is Fiona’s mom. The words will say come back to Vermont.”

Cam stared at the ceiling as Brady took off down the hall, having no idea how to make any of this easier for his son. At this point, he didn’t know how to make any of this okay for either of them.

twenty-five

Cam walked through the park where Brady loved to play, spotting Ally sitting on the bench under the oak tree where they had agreed to meet.

She stood, grinning as she sent him a wave, looking out of place in strappy two-inch heels, cutoff short shorts, and a white top that tied halfway up her slim waist. And she’d added wavy curls to her long hair.

He certainly hadn’t dressed up for the occasion. He still wore his jeans and plenty of sawdust on his T-shirt and work boots after a morning of getting dirty on the job.

Ally held out a half-empty iced tea from the local coffee shop as he walked closer. “You must be hot.”

He shook his head, adjusting his aviators on his nose. “I’m good, but thanks. I’ve been outside since this morning, so I’m pretty acclimated to the heat.”

“That’s good, I guess.”

He nodded. “Definitely.”

They both sat down.

“I’m glad we could meet today,” Ally said as she crossed her long legs. “The salon officially offered me the job yesterday afternoon, and I think I found a small apartment not far from work.”

“Congratulations,” he said, wishing he meant it.

“Thanks.” She sipped her drink. “Have you had a chance to talk to the psychologist?”

He nodded. “Lesly Peters. We were able to talk briefly yesterday. Unfortunately, she can’t get us in for an initial appointment for two and a half more weeks, but she’s booked solid because she’s one of the best in the region.”