Page 123 of Please Save Me

Cameron closed his eyes and heaved out a breath. “He got real quiet for a minute before laughing at me.”

“Oh that laugh had to besoooforced.” Knowing Sebby, he probably just wasn’t sure how to react.

“Ya think?” Cameron seemed genuine in his question.

God! How were men always so dense? If it wasn’t forced, what would Seb have to laugh at? Someone respecting his boundaries and being genuinely interested in him?

Something on my face must have conveyed just how silly Cameron was being. Because his expression changed and it looked like he was genuinely reflecting on the night.

“I guess he did seem a little off after that… I just thought I offended him,” Cameron admitted.

Men.

I was one second away from delving deeper into just how oblivious Cameron was, but the patter of little feet filled the air, and Mason’s voice followed soon after.

“Jasper! Juniper! You’re not done getting dressed!” She sounded exhausted, and I wondered why she was even up.

She didn’t actually climb in bed and fall asleep until like three. It wasn’t even seven yet. That meant she neededat leasta few more hours of shut eye.

“Masie can’t catch me!” Juniper squealed before dashing down the steps.

“Yeah! Masie can’t catch Juni!” Jasper giggled, but instead of following his sister, he stopped at the top of the steps and grabbed onto the railing. “Sorry Masie.”

Mason trudged into view, completely out of breath. She drug a hand down her cheek as she looked down at Lucian’s son.

“It’s okay,mon caneton.” Her tone waivered just a little as Jasper wrapped his hand around hers, and they slowly walked down the steps.

While that was averycute moment, Jasper wasn’t the only gremlin running around. Juniper had this terrible habit of not looking where she was going. This aforementioned habit left her to run directly into my leg. And, of course, in traditional toddler fashion, when she fell backwards and bumped her head, she looked at me like it wasmyfault.

I sighed as I leaned down and scooped her up before depositing her on the counter.

“You know… if you watched where you went, you wouldn’t bump your noggin.” I tapped her nose as I looked her over once, making sure she had no mortal wounds or things that would warrant a hospital visit.

With big, fat, crocodile tears in her eyes, she looked at Cameron.

“Papa, Mommy hurt me!” she sobbed.

Cameron chuckled before kissing Juniper's forehead.

“No! Donotbaby her!” Mason shouted as she and Jasper finally caught up to the tiny tornado. “She literally jumped on top of me!”

I shot her a warning look, and Lucian finally walked back over to tame his terror.

His expression hardened and he said something to Juniper in Spanish. Juniper crossed her arms and huffed. Her little brow lowered as she shot Mason the dirtiest look I’d ever seen a toddler give.

“Ahht! No. She’s going to be your Stepmom one day. Respect her,” Lucian warned.

“I don’twanta Stepmomora baby sister.” Juniper huffed.

“I want both,” Jasper commented, hugging onto Mason’s leg like his life depended on it.

Cameron ruffled Jasper’s hair before turning to Juniper. “Junebug, you don’t always get what’cha want. Plus, your baby sister ain’t up for debate. She’s already made.”

Juniper’s defiance morphed into a pout as she tightened her arms to her chest.

Cameron sighed. “I’m gonna take her until she’s calmed down a bit.”

“Can you force her to put pants on too?” Mason pleaded.

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