“Well, how do you feel about it?”
“I think it’s crazy. And I think—” I pause, lowering my voice further. “I think it’s the kindest, most terrifying thing anyone’s ever offered me.”
They’re both quiet for a beat.
Kinsey’s expression softens. “You know he meant it, right? Cam doesn’t do things halfway.”
“I know.”
Brynn nods. “He’s not the kind of man who plays savior. If he said it, it’s because he sees you and Evie as something worth protecting.”
The words catch somewhere between my ribs. “That’s what scares me,” I admit.
“Why?” Brynn asks.
“Because letting someone else in feels like surrender. I’ve spent five years being the only one who could protect us.”
Kinsey tilts her head. “Or maybe it’s teamwork.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You two are no help.”
Brynn smiles. “We’re great help. You just don’t like hearing the truth. I, for one, think it’s a brilliant idea. Optics, Kate.” She shrugs. “You two pull this off for a while, get the judge to believe it and Daniel is dismissed back to the ether where he belongs with his normal visitation schedule.”
Kinsey leans in. “She’s not wrong. Cam could be the key and if I had to have a fake husband, I wouldn’t mind one with an ass that properly fills out some baseball pants like his does.”
I nearly choke on my coffee.
Brynn studies me for a moment. She can always tell when my wheels are turning. “You’re considering it, aren’t you?”
I sigh. “More than I should admit.”
Kinsey pokes my hand on the table with her finger. “Do it, Kate.”
Before I can respond, Evie bounces back to the table, her ponytail slightly crooked and her smile wider than ever. “Mommy! Lily’s mommy said I can come to her birthday party next week!”
“That’s great, baby,” I say, smoothing her hair.
Brynn winks at me across the table. “See? You’re already the stable mom with the little girl that everyone wants at their party.”
Kinsey grins. “And maybe that an eligible coach wants to marry.”
“Kinsey,” I warn, but I can’t help laughing.
Evie climbs into my lap, chattering about birthday cake and balloons, completely oblivious to the emotional earthquake happening between the grown-ups.
I hold her close and force myself to smile, but inside, Cam’s voice is still echoing in my head.
You don’t have to do everything alone anymore.
Shit, I think I’m going to do this.
Chapter eighteen
Cam
The air’s thick with the heat and humidity of summer, and Knox’s back porch smells like freshly cut grass and smoked ribs. He’s manning the grill like it’s game day, tongs in one hand, beer in the other.
I’m in the lawn chair across from him, watching the smoke curl up into the sky, trying to find the right words to say something that sounds less insane than it is.
