“Well, hello to you, too, honey. How was camp?”

“It was good. It was my turn to be the jungle leader today.”

“Oh, really? And did you walk in a straight line?”

“Yeah, but some people kept getting out of line.”

“Well, as long as you did your part, that’s all that matters, baby.” She kissed Eli on the forehead, then turned her attention to me. “Declan. Look at you.” She sighed, moving closer to me.

I tried not to react to her calling me by my real name. She and my mom were probably the only two people who could get away with it now.

“Wassup, sis?” I hugged her tight as she stepped into my arms.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She leaned back and gripped my upper arms. “Did you get enough to eat?”

“Oh yeah. Me and Eli killed that pizza.”

“Yeah, I see that, and now you and Eli can help with the dishes.”

She stepped away and wrapped her arm around Eli’s shoulder as he threw his head back and whined, “Aww!”

After cleaning up, Eli and Jack put on a movie in the living room, while Camille opened a bottle of red wine. I stood next to the fridge, with my lower back resting against the counter edge and my arms folded.

“You want a drink?” she asked, eyeing me as she placed the wine bottle on the counter.

“Nah, I’m good. I’ve got training on Monday and drank enough at that party over the weekend.” Speaking of the party instantly reminded me of Davina, and as if the universe had read my mind, my phone vibrated in my back pocket.

When I checked it, there was an email from her. It was wild to me that we were still communicating. I mean, technically I fulfilled my end of the contract. I did the photo shoot, she had her party, and it turned out great. All she had to do now was wait for the products to hit the shelves and for people to snatch them up.

But, regardless of all that, I liked talking to her ... and I wanted her to know it, so I read her email.

Sorry it’s taken me a minute to get back to you. I was at the warehouse today—hectic stuff. Anyway, your training sounds intense. But look at you! You’re living your dreams and playing basketball for a living. Not many people in this world can say that.

Don’t worry about getting back to me hours later or whatever. You’re a busy man so I get it ... plus I’m sure there are other women you need to entertain first. It’s all good!

I couldn’t help laughing at her email.

Other women?If only she knew I hadn’t slept with a woman since meeting her ... and bysleeping with, I mean actual intercourse. I hadn’t felt the urge tosleepwith a woman unless her first name started with aDand her last name with aK.

“What are you smiling about?” Camille asked from the other side of the kitchen. She sipped her wine as she looked from my phone to my eyes.

“Nothing.” I slid my phone into my back pocket. “Just an email.”

“Is it from that Giselle girl?” she asked, her nose scrunching with distaste.

“Hell no. I’m done with her.”

“Oh. Well, good, ’cause you know I don’t like her ass.”

I chuckled. “Trust me, Camille, you have made that abundantly clear.”

She smiled behind another sip of wine. “So, if it isn’t Giselle, who is it?”

I hesitated.

I wanted to tell Camille about Davina, but I knew my sister, and if Whitney had made a fuss about our situation at the rebranding party, I could only imagine what Camille would say in the privacy of her home.

“It’s just a woman I met at a party,” I told her, which was partly true. Shewasat the party, and Ididbump into her at the fountain, only to discover a new side of her.