Now that his daughter was here, tonight’s plans would have to change. Or at least be delayed. He tucked two fingers under her chin and tipped her face up. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you. I figured you were lonely since we haven’t had much of an opportunity to spend time together. I had no idea?—”
“Laurel, I live on a resort constantly full of people. I hardly have a chance to be lonely.”
“I mean be with someone who loves you…” When she pulled out of his arms, her brown eyes were wide. She slapped his bare chest and stage-whispered, “Wait. Do you love each other? Is this like, serious?”
He wasn’t sure how to answer that, especially with Nolan right on the other side of the door. He shot a glance toward the bedroom. He kept his voice low when he explained, “It’s leaning toward serious, but we haven’t said theLword.”
Yet. Cam knew what was in his heart, but he wasn’t sure about Nolan.
Anyway, they were in no rush since they were still getting to know each other as more than friends. A lot more.
Plus, a relationship hit differently when you spent just about twenty-four-seven with someone.
Besides his ex-wife, Cam had never lived with anyone before. And the cabin was small enough they could easily get on each other’s nerves. While that hadn’t happened yet, it didn’t mean it wouldn’t eventually. If their relationship continued to grow, they might have to find a bigger place.
However, if it came to that, he doubted it would be on the ranch.
“But you feel that strongly about him,” Laurel concluded.
“I have for a long time, but being”—sexually involved—“together just made it stronger.”
“So,UncleNolan might becomeDaddyNolan?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Cam grimacedat the termDaddy. In certain situations, one adult calling another adult Daddy hit differently. “You’re rushing things, honey. This is all new for us. Just because we’re…uh…seeing each other doesn’t mean a wedding is in the near future.” Or ever.
“New? You’ve known each other for years.”
“Yes, but in a different capacity.” He needed to change the subject before Nolan came out of the bedroom. It certainly didn’t take this long to tug on a shirt, so he had to be giving them some privacy. “We’re heading to dinner, Laurel. You’ll join us, right?”
She shot him a huge smile. “Of course! I was hoping you hadn’t eaten yet since the food was excellent the last time I was here. I actually planned on spending the night, but I don’t want to intrude.”
When she wiggled her eyebrows, Cam silently groaned in his head while forcing his expression to remain neutral. “You can absolutely stay the night. You’re the reason I have a pull-out bed in the firstplace.”
Her staying the night meant their regularly scheduled programming would definitely be preempted since his daughter would always be priority.
The front door opened and a female voice preceded the person it belonged to. “Hey, whose Honda is in my spot? I had to park—” Hope’s feet stuttered to a stop as she took in the scene. “I hope I’m not interrupting something important? You said six, right?”
“I did.” He glanced at his daughter to see her brow furrowed.
Surprise, honey! Not only am I doing a man, I’m also doing a woman at the same time!
He swallowed all of that back down.
Hope’s eyes flicked between the two of them as she hovered near the door. “Should I go?”
“No. Please stay!” Laurel practically shouted with quite a bit of enthusiasm.
Shit.
“Let me introduce you two. Hope Reed, this is my daughter, Laurel. Laurel, this is the resort’s yoga instructor, Hope.”
Laurel spun on him. “Wait. You’re now into yoga? Any other surprises you need to tell me?”
“I’m definitely benefitting from yoga,” he said carefully.
