Page 16 of The Summer Arrangement
Oh, my heart. Milli is the cutest.
Matching her enthusiasm, I exclaim, “Yep, I’ve even brought some of my favorite books!”
“Oh…” Cameron says on a laugh. “You’re gonna be her new best friend. She’ll never let you go home now.”
“Oh, she’ll tire of me. I’m sure,” I insist. “They always do eventually, especially at nap time.”
“Speaking of nap time,” Cameron draws out. “I’ll admit, we’ve gotten a little out of our routine since being out here at the beach. But typically, at bedtime, she’ll snuggle with her green blanket that’s on her bed, and I’ll read her a book or two before she falls asleep.”
No kid is ever that easyall the time.“Does she nap as easily, too?”
Wincing, Cameron quickly adds, “Don’t judge me… but we’re flexible when it comes to napping. The reality is, sometimes I’m traveling, and she sleeps in the car. Other times, we’ll snuggle on the couch or in my bed, and I’m not stupid enough to move her. Desperate times call for desperate measures as a single dad. I can’t always be home, but she usually naps between noon and three, so she’ll sleep at night.”
Thank God, he’s down to earth. I can only imagine how crazy his schedule is, but above all, it’s obvious he puts Milli’s needs first. There’s nothing worse than parents who fail at this simple task. His flexibility will help her adjust to changes in her routines.
“I can work with that.”
Before either of us says another word, Milli springs from the table. “I gotta go potty!” And just like that—her little feet scurry out of the room down the hall.
The moment she disappears, he sighs heavily. “I’ll get this one, then head off to work… Little Miss Independent still needs help, whether she wants it or not.”
Standing, he rinses his plate, then loads it in the dishwasher. “Besides, it’s only a matter of minutes before I’m beckoned.”
As if on cue, “Daadddyyy… I’m done!” echoes through the house.
“On my way,” he answers, then turns to me. “In case I forget to tell you, Idoappreciate you being here… Even under our unusual circumstances, you really are the most qualified candidate. Milli’s lucky to have you, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have her with someone I trust.”
“That’s the whole point,” I say without a thought.
Though I’m not sure who I’m talking to—him or myself.
With a quick nod, he turns and disappears down the hall.
Apparently, I’m not the only one challenged by our circumstances.
My desk phone buzzes from my assistant Merna. “Cameron, I just got a call that your eleven o’clock with Tara needs to be pushed to tomorrow. Her flight has been delayed and won’t make it today.”
Ever since I’ve taken over this project in Seaside, Tara and I hold weekly meetings so we can keep each other up to date with what’s happening on both coasts. Her focus is creating music festivals much like the one here in Seaside, along the East Coast, while I take the Pacific Northwest. Tatum and I divide our coast, since California is a beast all on its own.
When Emilia came into my life, I needed something predictable. Rather than being out in the trenches for the label and traveling around the world at a moment’s notice, I’m stuck in countless meetings behind a desk. Sure, I still work with manymusicians behind the scenes, but it’s not nearly as glamorous as one might think.
I love my daughter and would make this choice over again, without looking back. But sometimes, I miss that carefree life. I miss being able to call up the woman I like and spontaneously take her out.
Hell, when was the last time before Lizzy I even went on a date?
Fuck, stop thinking about your kid’s nanny—you have a job to do.
Clearing my throat, I focus on my call. “Thanks for the update. Do you know if those mockups for the marketing proposal are done? I'm waiting to hear back from Raven so I can push those campaigns.”
Raven and I have been working together for the better part of a year since I transitioned into Tara’s position here and taken over the Seaside Music Festival.
How the hell did I not make the connection to her sister?
And now, I’ve gone exactly two seconds without thinking of Elizabeth Lancaster.
Fuck, I can’t believe how small this world is.
I knew Raven and Sloane were sisters—who wouldn’t— they’re twins and with their case of mistaken identity that went viral last year, the entire world knows it, too. Apparently, I’ve never taken the time to get to know either of them beyond work events. Not only do both of them work for the label, but they’re engaged to members of Ruby Freaking Frax—our hottest hitting talent, who tops all the charts.
