“We both did.” She nods toward Camden. “I was going to invite the girls over, but I didn’t ask you if that was okay, so Cam and I just made a day of it.”
“They’re family, Sloane. Of course, you can invite them over. I want you to feel like this is your home.” There’s a deeper meaning to my words that I hope she understands. I like her here in my space, coming home to her. It’s been a little over a month, and I can’t imagine not coming home to a house that she’s not living in. However, I continue to push those thoughts to the back of my mind and ignore them.
She lets me touch her. Lets me steal as much contact as I possibly can, and we never talk about it, like now. My hand spans over her toned, flat belly, but neither one of us will mention it. It’s become this thing between us, and while it’s not enough, it is what it is for now. I know starting something with her will complicate our lives, but the more time I spend with her, I am beginning to think that I don’t really give a fuck how complicated being with her becomes. She’s starting to feel like home, more than this house ever has.
“What are your plans today?” I ask her.
“You’re off, so I was going to make myself scarce to give you some time with Cam.”
“No,” I say quickly. “Spend the day with us.”
She looks over her shoulder at me. There’s confusion in those big brown eyes of hers. “I don’t want to take your time with him. I know that’s important to you.”
“We both enjoy spending time with you. I mean, unless you don’t want to,” I say, hoping like hell that’s not the case.
“Of course, that’s not it. I just wanted to give you some time.”
“I need time with both of you,” I confess. She doesn’t reply to that, but she doesn’t have to. Her smile tells me she’s in.
“I need to get him changed and some breakfast,” she says, starting to pull away.
I hold on a little tighter. “Just a few more minutes,” I tell her, and she sinks back into the mattress into my embrace. I hold her close while we both watch Camden playing with his toy kitchen. I don’t know how much time passes, but eventually, my son deems what he’s working on is finished and brings it to us to try.
Sloane pulls away from me, sitting up and taking the plastic eggs and bacon from Camden, and pretends to eat them.
“Swoan, yummy.” He nods, runs back to his kitchen, and brings me a similar plate of plastic food. “Daddy, eat,” he says, pointing at the plate.
Doing as I’m told, I pretend to devour my food and then claim I’m full, as does Sloane. Camden takes our plates, proud of himself, and puts them in the sink in his kitchen. “All right, kiddo, let’s get your butt changed and go down to the kitchen,” I tell my son, before turning to Sloane. “Go take a bath, a shower, whatever. I’m on Cam duty today. You’re not here to take care of him today. You’re here to spend time with us. I’ll make us some breakfast,” I tell her, kissing her temple, before standing and stepping over the bed railing.
“I don’t mind helping. I can get him changed if you want to start breakfast.”
“Nope. No can do. Cam, buddy, do you want to help Daddy make some more food for Sloane?”
“Cam help.” He nods and rushes toward me. I scoop him up in my arms, feel his squishy diaper, and cringe. “Let’s get you changed. Maybe we start trying to use the potty. What do you say?”
“Potty?” he asks, tilting his head to the side.
Sloane laughs. The sound fills the room and wraps around me like a warm embrace. “I don’t think he’s quite there yet, Daddy, but soon,” she says, standing from the bed. “I guess I’ll go shower.”
“We’ll have breakfast ready in no time,” I tell her, not taking my eyes off Camden, where he’s lying on the changing table. I make quick work of his diaper change and toss him over my shoulder to carry him downstairs. He laughs, and my lips tug up in a smile. I’ve been doing more of that lately. And although my son often makes me smile, it’s also his nanny, my friend, the woman I can’t stop thinking about, who’s contributing to that happiness these days, as well.
Thirty minutes later, I’ve got plates of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs piled on the counter. Camden is in his booster seat at the island, chowing down, when Sloane walks into the room.
“Swoan, pamcake!” Camden holds up a piece of his breakfast and shows it to her.
“You’re eating like a big boy.” She smiles at him.
I take her in. She’s wearing a pair of short athletic shorts and a tank top, with her hair pulled up in a wet, messy knot on top of her head. She’s not wearing a stitch of makeup, and she’s fucking beautiful. She looks comfortable and like she belongs here.
“You look beautiful,” I voice my thoughts, because she needs to know how gorgeous she is.
She looks down at herself and laughs. “I look like a slob, but we’re having a lounging day, right?”
“We are. Just the three of us.” I smile at her.
“Sounds perfect. This looks incredible. Can I help with anything?”
“Nope, it’s done. Just make yourself a plate, and grab a seat. What do you want to drink?”
