Page 107 of A Simple Regret

Everyone cracks up laughing, and Lizzie, even though she knew he was there, pretends to jump and screech. “You scared me!”

Theo throws his head back and laughs before continuing on to where Cade stands.

“He’s amazing.”

I glance to Camden. “He is.”

I can tell he’s still processing what was said a few moments ago, so I wait him out.

Finally, he pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. “Hearing him call me Daddy for the first time…” He shakes his head before adding, “I’ll never forget this moment.”

I brush my thumb over his cheek and lean in for a kiss. “Thank you for being his daddy.”

“There’s no greater title in the world than Daddy and Husband.”

“Soon,” I reply with a chuckle. There’s a wedding planned for the Fourth of July weekend. We’re doing everything at the rustic barn where Oaklee and Cade had their reception. It’s a little rushed, considering it’s already approaching Memorial Day, but neither of us wants to wait. And with a baby on the way, I’d rather get married as soon as possible.

“Can’t wait.” He brushes a kiss across my lips and places his hand on my belly. “For this either.”

That’s our secret, at least for a little bit longer. Until we share the news, it’s just the two of us who know.

ANOTHER EPILOGUE

Camden

“I’m buying a camper.”

She looks up, confused. “But…that’s against the rules.”

I huff out a deep breath. “True, but it would be more comfortable.”

She reaches over and cups my cheek. “I’m not uncomfortable,” she insists.

I purchased one of those crazy-ass expensive air mattresses for our tent because there is no way my baby mama is going to sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag. Of course, one of the other reasons things are feeling a little cramped is the fact there’s a three-year-old fisherman sleeping soundly between us. He insisted on being in the middle, and even though I’d love to have Maren in my arms, I wasn’t going to complain. Not for one second.

“He’s had such a great day,” she whispers, stroking Theo’s forehead.

An automatic smile spreads across my lips. “He has. Catching three fish, helping cook dinner on the fire, and then setting up the tents.”

“He’s such a big helper. He’s going to be an amazing big brother,” she murmurs.

“He is. He dotes on June, always wanting to give her toys or a pacifier or just rub her back like her daddy does.”

“I can’t wait to watch you be Daddy to our little one.”

“Next little one, Shortcake. I might not have been there for the first three years, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss a single second of anything moving forward. You’re stuck with me.”

She grins, her eyelids starting to droop. “I like the sound of that.”

Reaching over a passed-out Theo, I rub my fingers across her cheek. “You’ll never be alone again, Shortcake.”

“I like that too.”

“Good. Now, go to sleep. Let me know if you get cold, and I’ll grab another blanket,” I insist.

“I’m good, thanks,” she murmurs.

I stare at her as she drifts off to sleep, my mind replaying all the big moments we’ve shared in the last five months. Can that really be accurate? Five months since she moved back to Cooper Town? It’s fact, but even though it feels like such a short timeframe, our story truly began many years ago.