Page 86 of A Simple Regret

“You like bacon?”

Theo lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “I not know.”

I can’t help but smile. “I’m not sure he’s ever had it before.”

“Well, you can have some of mine,” Camden insists, reaching over and ruffling Theo’s hair.

“Okay.”

Our drinks are delivered and our orders are given. The server promises to be back shortly to refill drinks and bring our food as soon as it’s ready.

“Did you have a good time at paint night?” Dad asks.

“I did. We painted a snowy scene with a little cabin in the corner,” I tell him, offering a little grin.

“You seem…happy.”

Again, I start to blush. “I am,” I whisper, glancing down for a moment.

He holds my gaze when I return my attention to him. “Good.”

“Camden, how are you?” Dad asks, and while Camden replies, I pour cream and sugar into my coffee.

This feels so right, so natural. I’m sitting here, enjoying breakfast with the only man I’ve ever loved and my dad. If you would have asked me a few months back, I would have told you it was more likely monkeys rule the earth than for me to be sitting civilly at a table with these two men. Yet, here we are, together.

When our meal is delivered, Camden helps Theo cut up his pancakes. He requested the Mickey Mouse pancakes, which always makes him smile. He even takes a piece of Camden’s bacon and eats the whole thing.

“I guess he likes bacon,” Camden says with a chuckle.

“I guess so.”

Theo eats well, and by the time our plates are cleared, he’s ready to go home. “Cam, you come pway?”

“Uhh, I have a few things I have to do at my place, little dude, but how about I bring dinner over later?”

“Okay! And pway wiff me?”

“Well, of course,” Camden replies. “Hey, how about we go wash your hands in the restroom? You’re a little sticky from the syrup.”

Theo nods, and with Camden’s help, climbs out of his booster seat and off the booth bench. He takes Theo’s hand and walks with him to the men’s restroom.

“So…you and Camden.”

I glance over at my dad. “Is that okay?”

“Ain’t my life, sugar. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“We’re getting there,” I tell him.

“Good. It takes time, communication, and work, but if your heart is in it, I know it’ll happen. You two might have taken the long way around, but I had hoped you’d eventually wind back up at the same place.”

“Is that why you invited him over to help move furniture?” I tease, recalling how angry Camden looked while he was helping.

Dad chuckles and shakes his head. “Sometimes a stubborn man needs a good kick in the ass.”

I giggle just as Camden and Theo exit the restroom. “Well, thank you for the kick.”

“You’re welcome,” Dad replies, turning his attention to Theo. “You ready to get out of here?”