Page 75 of SALT

"Nothing happened before that?"

"Not physically, no. But if I'm being honest, I started looking at her differently years ago."

He nods. "Does she make you happy?"

"More than anything," I stop myself from saying more. I want to tell him everything, but I know that suspecting something and finding out it's true are different pills to swallow. "Are you upset?" I honestly can't tell. It's another reason I was disheartened when he chose to chase his dreams. With a poker face like his, he would have made a damn good lawyer.

"I am, but not for the reasons you think. I like Cameron. I'll admit, she wasn't my favorite person for a while, but that's more on me for making assumptions. She may have been around for years, but her moving in and the timing of yours and Mom's divorce wasn't a good look. I'm not saying anyone else saw it that way, but I did." He shrugs. "I didn't know how much you always protected Mom, and I think once I found out the truth, I felt even worse about how I acted. I was selfish and didn't know how to rewind. I couldn't take back things I said."

I squeeze his shoulder. "You're my son. There is literally nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you. You could mess up daily for the rest of your life, and my door would never close."

He turns to me and gives me a hug. It feels like we've finally turned the corner. "Dad, if Cameron makes you happy, I want that for you. You deserve to find happiness. I would never stand in the way of that."

I'm flying high. I got my son, I got my girl, and then the sound of cars coming down the gravel road reminds me I'm standing beside a lake on the site where Cameron plans to build a house—her house. It's about time we had that talk.

Chapter 26

Cameron

"Do you mind if I take my eight a.m. call in your bedroom?" Mackenzie asks as I pour a cup of coffee.

"No, that's not a problem at all," I say as I pour my creamer. "The crew won't be here until nine or nine thirty, and they don't come inside."

The door opens as I put the creamer back in the refrigerator, and before I can turn to see who joined us, strong arms wrap around me from behind.

"Good morning," Everett says as he inhales deeply and gently kisses my neck. I freeze my body, acutely aware that we aren't alone in the room.

"Mackenzie is sitting on the couch," I whisper.

"I'm aware."

I spin around in his arms. "You are?" I question, my eyes darting between his. When I fell asleep last night, he was with me in my bed, but at some point, he returned to the recliner. He said he'd tell Connor, but I didn't expect it to be first thing in the morning, nor did I think those confessions would lead to immediate PDA.

His lips gently peck mine as if holding me flush against his front wasn't statement enough. "I am."

The door opens again. "Oh, come on," Connor pinches the bridge of his nose and turns away. "Mackenzie, I'm leaving for the stadium. Can you come say bye to me outside?"

She closes her laptop. "Coming," she sings as she throws me a big smile.

The second the door closes, Everett's lips are on mine as his hands slide down and grip my ass. A heady moan escapes his throat as he lifts me onto the countertop and pulls back. "Last night, you said I was it for you. I hope that's still true because I don't plan on ever waking up another day without you in my arms."

I wrap my legs around his waist and keep him close. "You told Connor?"

"More or less," he says, his lips trailing my jaw.

"What does that mean, Ev? You either told him or you didn't." I can't help the slight trepidation that seeps into my tone.

"He knew before I could say anything, he could smell you."

I push his chest, my face undoubtedly flushed. "Excuse me?"

"Don't be embarrassed. I love the way you smell."

"Everett," I swat his chest. "Be serious. What did he say?"

"I am." He straightens and runs his hand through his dark hair. "The place smelled like sex, and he said since he didn't get laid last night, he knew it was us. He wasn't mad about it. We had a long overdue conversation, and he wants us to be happy. If being together accomplishes that, he wants that." Everett steps away from the counter and rubs his jaw. "Do I still make you happy?"

"Actually, now that I think about it, you might be getting senile," I say sarcastically before rolling my eyes with a sigh. "Aren't we past this? Why would you ask me that?"

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