Kate leans back, trying to look casual. She’s not good at casual when her heart is on the line. “So if…” she says, voice careful, “Coach Wells was here more often…would that be okay?”
Evie’s brows knit, serious now. “Like…all the time?”
Kate’s gaze flicks to mine, a hint of panic in her eyes.
I don’t move. I didn’t expect Kate to ask these questions. I just thought we would let Evie know I would be ‘around’ or we would be dating. I keep my face neutral because Evie doesn’t need to see anything complicated between the adults.
But inside, I’m suddenly very aware of the way Kate asked the question, like she’s trying to test Evie’s reaction.
Evie thinks for a long moment, chewing her lip. “Would he still go to his house?”
Kate’s voice goes gentler. “Maybe. But maybe he’d be here a lot more.”
Evie looks at me then, eyes wide and earnest. “Would you still be my coach?”
My chest tightens in a way that has nothing to do with baseball. “Always,” I say softly.
Evie considers that, then nods once like she’s accepted an important truth about the universe. “Okay.”
Kate’s shoulders ease just a fraction. Not relief exactly, but more like she’s been holding her breath and doesn’t want to admit she needs air.
Evie looks back to her mom. “Why are we talking about this?”
Kate hesitates, and I can see her trying to decide how much truth a nearly-five-year-old can carry without misunderstanding. So I step in.
“Well,” I say gently, leaning forward a little, “you know how sometimes grown-ups like spending time together? Like friends?”
Evie nods. “Like you and Uncle Knox.”
My mouth twitches. “Yeah. Like me and Knox.”
Evie continues, innocent and matter-of-fact. “And like Mommy and Aunt Kinsey.”
“Exactly,” I say. “But sometimes grown-ups also like each other in a special way. They want to spend more time together. They look out for each other.”
Evie’s eyes go round. “Like in the movies where people kiss?”
Kate makes a choking sound that might be a laugh. “Evie—”
Evie sits up straighter, delighted. “So who’s kissing who?”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “Nobody’s kissing anybody.”
Kate’s eyes narrow at me, warning.
I add, lightly, “Yet.”
“Cam,” she whispers, sharp and embarrassed, but there’s warmth under it.
Evie giggles. Kate closes her eyes for a second like she’s praying for patience.
I turn back to Evie, keeping my voice even. “What your mom’s saying is…you might see me around more. And we wanted to make sure you’d be okay with that.”
Evie gasps, throwing her arms in the air like she’s just been handed the best news of her life. “Like boyfriend, girlfriend!”
Kate nods slowly. “Yes, sweetheart. Like dating.”
Evie squeals and launches forward, hugging Kate so hard Matilda almost falls to the floor. Then she twists and grabs my arm too, small fingers gripping my sleeve with absolute certainty. “Does that mean you’ll come to my birthday?”
