Page 85 of I Think He Knows?

He raises his eyebrows. “Okay.”

I sigh. This might be a bad time to bring it up, but is there ever going to be a good time? I might be sealing my fate with Cam’s mother forever, but I want to be open with him.

“Lilly’s mother approached me at the event…”

“Oh no. What did she say? Was my mom with her?”

I shake my head. “Your mom wasn’t there. And she wasn’t mean, just very—honest.”

“Honest?” he repeats. “That depends on what she said.”

“She told me she was at the hospital when you were born.”

Cam shrugs. “Well, that’s true.”

“I figured it was.” I stop to gather my thoughts. “She basically said that none of your relationships have worked out.”

Cam is expressionless. “They haven’t, and that includes my relationship with Lilly.”

Hmm…that’s a good point.

“Serena, please don’t let her get to you,” he begs. “I know how intense Kathleen is and how strongly she feels about certain things.”

Like her daughter and Cam ending up together.

“I told her my personal life was none of her concern.”

“It’s not,” he agrees.

“She responded by letting me know that anything to do with you is her concern because you’re like a son."

He lets out a frustrated sigh.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I probably shouldn’t have brought it up tonight.”

“Why?” he asks. “If something is bothering you, you should feel like you can talk about it. I’m sorry you had to deal with… all of it.”

I appreciate his understanding. And I don’t want to give them any more power over this evening and how I feel about Cam.

“You know what, I don’t want to waste anymore of our night talking about them, if that’s alright?”

He leans over and kisses me. “Yes, please. We’re alone, and we don’t get that often, do we?”

I smile. “Not at Eastern Lake Elementary. Between the students and the staff, there’s always someone around.”

“Always—except in your classroom yesterday.”

My pulse quickens as I recall him kissing me in my room.

“I don’t know. It wasn’t the most romantic setting.”

He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “Serena, I’ll gladly kiss you anywhere.”

Heat fills my cheeks again, but thankfully the lighting in the restaurant is dim.

I place my hand on his cheek. “Coach Cam, I’ll remember you said that.”

“I’m counting on it,” he insists before yawning.

---