Something about her tone had my ears pricking up. “But you couldn’t?”
“No, because Mommy was trying to take some pictures and the light wasjust right.But I was cross about not being allowed to pat the dog and Mommy said I was being difficult.” Alice took a bite of pizza, talking around it when she said, “But it was so cute, Daddy. It was fluffy and white and it looked like a cloud.”
“Sounds like you made the right choice.” Cam’s voice had an unmistakable edge to it.
Okay, what was going on here? And what the fuck was the deal with his ex?
I picked at my own pizza for the rest of dinner, only half-listening to the conversation flowing around me. The girls had moved on to talking about school, about some project Audrey had due next week, about whether Alice’s teacher was going to let them have a class pet.
Normal things. Easy things. The kind of comfortable family dinner I’d never really had growing up.
It all made me feel a little odd, so I pushed back from the table. “I’ll head home now, let you guys have your evening.”
“But ice cream,” Alice protested weakly.
“You can have ice cream. I’ll just have mine at home.”
“That’s not as fun.”
“Alice.” Cam’s voice was gentle but firm. “Emily’s been here for hours. She’s allowed to go home.”
I stood, grabbing my plate to take it to the sink. Cam was faster, taking it from my hands before I could protest.
“I’ve got it,” he said. “You’ve done enough. Can you give me a few minutes to get the girls ice cream, then I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, sure.”
“Come say goodbye to Emily.”
While Cam took care of the ice cream, the girls shuffled over and I crouched down to hug them both.
Audrey clung a little longer than necessary, her arms tight around my neck.
“Thanks for staying with us,” she whispered.
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
Alice’s hug was quicker but no less sincere. “Will we see you again soon?”
“I live right next door. I’m not going anywhere.”
That seemed to satisfy them and with Cam placing their ice cream bowls on the table they were distracted enough for me to leave.
We moved through the house toward the front door, neither of us speaking.
He pulled the door open but didn’t step back to let me through. Just stood there, one hand on the doorframe, his green eyes searching my face. My pulse fluttered at my throat. I had to drag in a breath to calm it.
“Thank you,” he said again. “I know I keep saying it, but I mean it. You saved my ass today.”
“It’s honestly no problem. Anyone would have done the same thing.”
“But you’re the one who did.” He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way that was completely unfair. “It wouldn’t normally be an issue, but I’m overseeing a huge corporate move across the state and it’s a fucking nightmare. Usually my Mom backs me up, but she just had knee surgery this morning, so she’s out of commission for at least six weeks. And I’ve got three major moves scheduled after this one that I can’t exactly cancel.”
The penny dropped. “You need someone to watch the girls.”
“Yeah.” He let out a long breath. “I’m going to have to hire a nanny or something, but finding someone trustworthy on short notice...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Anyway, I’ll figure it out.”
The offer was out of my mouth before I could think it through. “I could do it.”
