“I need to call my mom and Liv and tell them the good news.” I smile up at him.
“Can you call Kelsey too? She will just be an asshole about it, saying ‘I told you so.’ ”
“Oh no, you have to call her and put it on speakerphone so I can hear it.”
He grumbles but kisses my knuckles before placing our hands back on his lap.
“Can we get pho and bubble tea?”
“Yeah, let’s get home first, okay?”
“Okay,” I reply and lean my head on his shoulder.
He closes his eyes, and I can tell he is fighting sleep. I need to make sure I dote on him the next couple of days. It only seems fair.
Smith is dead to the world in my—our—bed. I ordered us food, and Franklin is walking through the door placing it in the kitchen. He looks stressed and hasn’t been his usual happy self.
“Franklin, did you see Thomas while you were off?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you Cami for paying for that.” He scratches the back of his neck. “Can we talk a little more later?”
“Sure, Franklin, is everything okay? If you need to go back to LA, I would understand. Is everything okay with Thomas?”
Tears streak Franklin’s face as he sobs. “Cami, I didn’t know it was going to get this bad.”
I hug him as sobs rack his body. “What can I do, Franklin? Do you need money?” His cries just become harder as I hold him.
“I’m just going to go to my apartment for a while. Maybe we can talk some more tomorrow?”
“Okay, Franklin. Anything you need, just let me know.” He looks at me with tear-filled eyes and walks out the door. I know Thomas’ condition weighs on him, but he hasn’t said anything about him getting worse or needing more care.
I moan as I eat my pho, I didn’t realize how hungry I truly was. I inhale more than I intend to. Quietly, I check in on Smith, who is still snoring away, sleeping on his stomach and cuddling my pillow next to his face.
I lie on the couch with my phone in my hand, knowing the first call I need to make. I press her number and wait for her to pick up.
“Cami Jean, you better tell me why I haven’t heard from you in a week.”
“Hey, Mama.”
“Don’t ‘hey, mama’ me. You never go a whole week without calling.”
“I was at Heat Haven for my heat.”
“Oh, honey. Are you okay?”
“Uh, so it was just Smith and me, actually. We… um…kinda bonded and I wouldn’t let anyone else into the nest.”
“You’re telling me I have a son-in-law?” she says excitedly.
“Pretty much.”
“Well, he will need to marry you now.”
“Mama, we’re bonded.”
“So. I want to see my baby have a wedding. You had a wedding vision board as a little girl, I always pictured you in a beautiful white dress. You’re telling me you still don’t want that?”
“No, I do. It’s just all new. We have a lot of things to figure out.”
