“She needs help,” she says solemnly, like Matilda is in danger.
“I’ve got her.” I reach down, rescue the dinosaur, dust her off, and hand her over. Evie hugs her like she just survived a war.
Which is, naturally, the exact moment there’s a knock at the front door.
“CAM’S HERE!” Evie launches herself down the hallway.
“Evie, wait!” I call, even though we both know she’s not waiting for anything.
By the time I step into the living room, Cam is already inside. He’s crouched down to Evie’s level while she twirls once to show off her outfit—pink dress, green socks, and her favorite sparkly sneakers.
“Hey, bug,” he says, eyes crinkling. “You look nice tonight. Very fashion-forward.”
Evie beams, then she lifts her foot. “These are my fancy sneakers.”
Cam nods as if this is a universally understood term. “Very stylish. I might need a pair.”
She giggles, showing him Matilda. “Mom saved her. She fell.”
“Oh yeah?” he says. “Your mom’s a hero.”
Then he looks up at me. And everything slows.
I’m standing with one sandal on and the other dangling from my hand, mascara slightly smudged under one eye. I look exactly like a woman who sprinted between rooms trying to get ready in time.
He just stares, and that slow, soft smile spreads across his mouth in a way that makes my chest get too small for my heart.
“You look beautiful, Katie.”
I can feel my pulse in my ears. “Thanks. You’re early.”
He glances at his watch. “Actually, I’m right on time. You’re just—” His eyes flick to the mess behind me. “In a charming state of chaos.”
I groan. “Please don’t call it charming. It’s tragic.”
Evie tugs his hand. “Are we going somewhere fancy?”
“Not too fancy,” Cam says.
“Will they have chicken tenders?”
He nods. “Made sure of it. Let’s go, ladies.”
We drive just far enough out of town that we can stay out of the eyes of the Cedar Falls gossip ring. Not Roanoke proper, but close—a little mountain town with string lights across the main street and people who don’t know our names.
The restaurant Cam picked is small and tucked away, with brick walls and low lighting, romantic enough for us, but lively enough for Evie.
Evie’s swinging her legs under the table, narrating every bite of her chicken tenders, Cam listens to her like she’s delivering a keynote address, nodding solemnly, pretending to take mental notes.
“Did you know ketchup tastes different on fries than it does on chicken?” she says, brow furrowed.
Cam keeps a straight face. “I never really noticed that.”
“It’s science,” she says proudly, taking another bite.
After the plates are cleared, Cam leans back, reaching for his jacket draped over the empty chair beside him. His movements are easy, but I can tell by the quiet shift in his expression that something’s coming.
“Alright, bug,” he says softly, looking at Evie. “Remember how we talked about things changing a little bit?”
