Page 58 of A Simple Regret

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