Page 70 of A Simple Regret

“For what?” I ask.

“For that,” he says, nodding toward my son. “He’s the coolest kid ever, and I love hanging out with him. When I saw that rug and the cars, I had to get them for him.”

“That wasn’t necessary but thank you. You were right, he loves it.”

We watch him play for a bit, and I don’t fail to notice how close Camden suddenly is to where I sit. He’s moving closer, leaning against the workbench until he’s invading my personal space and our bodies are nearly touching.

“I was thinking, next Saturday, since Theo is going to be with your dad for the night, maybe we can hang out for a bit, after your paint night.”

I glance his way and have to bite down on my lip to keep from groaning. He looks positively edible and sexy, with his messy hair and heated eyes. I hope I’m not reading him wrong, but I know that look. It’s the one he used to give me right before he kissed me breathless and then stripped my clothes from my body to have his wicked way with me.

“I’d like that,” I tell him, praying he can’t see how badly I crave him written all over my face.

“Cam, come pway,” Theo insists, running a car across the street in front of him.

“You got it, little dude.”

Before he walks away, he pauses beside me, the heat of his body radiating through my clothing. “I’ll be back,” he whispers, leaning in and gently brushing his lips across my cheek.

A shiver sweeps through me. I know all I’d have to do is turn my head just slightly and our mouths would touch.

Again.

He exhales, his warm breath tickling my face as he levels me with a scorching gaze. “To be continued, Shortcake. To be fucking continued.”

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Camden

I stare at the picture Quinn sent me last week. The one of Maren holding my niece, June. He snapped it without her knowing the day they took June to meet the ladies at the salon after her check-up. Quinn told me they chatted, and he was super happy to see her again after all this time. Charli even greeted her, and from what he said, was fairly polite. I think a threat was made, but my best friend said Maren didn’t seem upset about whatever Charli said to her.

Then I pull up the other photos I recently saved. A week ago, Maren and Theo came over so Theo could help me work on my truck. Maren took a few pictures of us together and shared those with me too. They’re all candid and catch the shared moments perfectly. We’re sitting in the cab of my truck, Theo smiling as he pretends to drive with both hands on the wheel. We’re sitting together on the rug I purchased for Theo, driving Matchbox cars across the roadways.

But it’s the last one that’s my favorite. I’m holding him and we’re both laughing. His head is thrown back in joy. I can hear his giggles through the image. The look on my face is one of pure happiness, and I still feel that way every time I look at us together. This little boy is stealing my heart.

Just like his mom did all those years ago…

I tap on the screen and save the image as my background. I should probably ask permission from Maren, since the photo is of her son, but since she sent it to me, I feel like that’s permission to use that photo within the boundaries of friendship. I’d never risk her or her son or put either of them in any sort of compromising spot. This photo is for me, of me, and since no one sees my phone screen, I’d like to think she’d be fine with me using it.

Once I close out of my settings, I pull up a text.

Me

Since we’re going to the same place, might as well save gas. Wanna ride with me?

It takes a solid five minutes before she replies.

Maren

Sounds good. I just took Theo over to my dad’s for his sleepover. I’ll be ready in ten minutes or so.

Me

Is he excited?

Maren