Page 87 of Fool Me Once

“The truth is, I don’t know if I would have ever done this if you hadn’t come into my life.” Cameran’s words take me by surprise. “I did the retreats and the workshops, but opening actual housing to get women and children out of dangerous situations and give them a place to go?” She shrugs, her brows pulling together. “I dreamed of it, but I never thought I could make it happen. So, thank you, Gemma. Thank you for executing our newest endeavor.”

I’m still not great at taking a compliment, even after years of therapy. Cameran is a sweet woman with an old soul. I’m truly honored to work alongside someone like her.

“Here’s to many more,” I whisper, holding up my drink.

Cameran nods, holding hers up to mine. “This is just the beginning.”

As we all clank our glasses together, something inside of me knows she’s right. Our circumstances might have caused us pain, but we’re both better people for it because, now, we want to help others.

Four and a Half Years Later

The sun feels so good on my skin, and the faint sound of the water splashing against the boat is enough to lure me to sleep, but I fight it because it’s almost time to get the kids out of the pool and showered for dinner.

“This was the best idea in the entire world.” I yawn. “I don’t even want to go home, and that never happens.” I pause. “Well, besides to see Storm. I miss him.”

“I know,” Poppy says before following suit and yawning herself. “Thanks to Paige and Kolt for letting us all vacation together on their yacht. This has been the best trip ever.”

She isn’t lying; it really has been magical. We’ve spent the past few days cruising to different secluded islands and eating the best food I’ve ever tasted, all prepared by a private chef, and the kids love the pool on the boat.

“We’re just happy you guys could join us,” Paige says before holding up her Kindle. “I’m reading Maci’s new book, and I’m here to tell you … it is filthy. And I love it.”

Maci brings the towel in front of her face, clearly embarrassed, just like she always is. We all read her books; they are freaking phenomenal.

“I know,” Saylor whispers. “The scene where the dude had the girl tied to—”

“All righty then,” Maci blurts out, interrupting her. “Change of subject, please.” She looks from Paige to me. “Someone … anyone. Just stop talking about my slutty books.”

I know Maci, and even though she’s proud of what she writes, she doesn’t like it when it becomes the main topic of conversation, especially when we’re all complimenting her. So, I know I need to switch the direction ofour chat.

“I can’t get over how old Amelia looks now,” I say quickly, staring at Logan and Maci’s daughter in complete awe. “I mean … I feel like she was literally just Soph’s age. Now, she’s eleven years old.”

Amelia plays in the pool with Sophie and all the other little ones, being absolutely charming, like she always is. In most cases, I’d probably be nervous with my kids, Sophie and Sullivan, in the water, but not with Amelia nearby. She joined the swim team last year, and now, I’m pretty sure she’s a better swimmer than most of us adults sitting around the pool.

Certainly better than me.And I’ve seen Saylor swim, so definitely better than her too.

“She’s beautiful.” Saylor side-eyes me, raising her eyebrows above her sunglasses. “Logan is going to be beating the boys away from the door when she’s a teenager.”

“You hush,” Logan says, suddenly standing between our lounge chairs. “She’s going to be a nun, and I’m going to make her wear turtlenecks and baggy pants all the time.”

Maci grins up at him from her lounge chair. “Good luck with that, babe.”

He gives her a playful eye roll before continuing toward the pool.

It’s a scene straight from aPlaygirlmagazine, I swear. With Kolt, Smith, Logan, Walker, Ryder, and Tripp all shirtless or tugging their shirts off, I think it got even hotter outside.

“Hot damn, that’s a lot of abs.” Poppy fans herself. “I mean … good Lawd, ladies.”

“No joke, think of all the money we could make from a photo session of just this right here,” Paige says, waving to all the guys. “People would kill their mothers for this shit.”

She’s not wrong. Our men aren’t only good-looking; they are extremely fit too.

Kolt slides into the pool first, and instantly, Sophie is paddling up to him with her little floaties on. She’s obsessed with Kolt. Actually, I think all the kids are.

Spinning around, he puts her on his back and starts swimming quickly around the pool. She bursts into a fit of giggles, holding on tightly to his neck.

Logan jumps into the pool, heading right for Amelia, scooping her upin his arms and throwing her. She laughs as she hits the water and comes right back for more.

“I hope she’s never too old to play like that with her dad,” Maci says in an almost-sad tone. “Gosh, he loves that kid so much.”

---