Page 28 of The Summer I Loved

CHAPTER TEN

An engrossed Bronwyn watched TV in the family room. Adrianna made dinner in Cam’s kitchen like she’d always been there.

Cam stood close by to watch. "I must say, seeing you move around the kitchen these days is a delight. I still remember that time you tried to make that chicken recipe from the magazine." He patted his stomach and fought back the queasy memories.

She laughed. It was loud and musical. Cam had always loved her laughter and the way it reached her eyes first and spread through her body. He didn’t realize how much he missed that sound until now.

"Chicken Merlot. I thought it was okay to use my mom’s Moscato. I still can't believe you ate all of it. It was the grossest dinner ever." She turned to him, touched his cheek. "That's how I knew you really loved me."

He laughed, tilted his head and moved a bit closer to her. "What did you think before that?"

"I thought you wanted me for my long legs."

How did they do that? They were in trouble after getting caught making out in front of their impressionable child and not even thirty minutes later, they were flirting again. With her, rules, rationality, and everything else went out of the window. It’s what she always did to him.

"It was both." He leaned closer to her, "It still is, Adrianna. I…" He was less than a breath away from her lips and she leaned towards him.

"Are you going to kiss again?" Bronwyn chimed in and Cam jumped back.

"She gets her laughter and timing from Luciana," he said, and Adrianna laughed a little.

She didn't look as panicked at getting caught as last time. She tilted her head towards the child and he understood.

"Come here, Bron. We want to talk to you."

She walked over and he scooped her up and sat her up on the kitchen island.

"We want to talk to you about what you saw upstairs," Cam said as Adrianna came away from the stove and closer to them.

"When you guys were making out?" Bron said, staring at him until Cam's face burned. "It's cool. It happens."

"Um. What do you mean?" Adrianna asked after giving him a look.

"You're boyfriend and girlfriend, right? Boyfriends and girlfriends kiss all the time."

It was the most logical thing in the world, which is why he had suggested they went with that, but now he could see the danger in this. If something happened, how would they explain it to Bron? He glanced at Adrianna and the frown in her face said it all. They were both backed into a corner. He chose to speak with as much honesty as he could.

"Your mother and I are getting to know each other all over again. We care for each other but there’s still a lot to learn after so long. You understand?"

Bronwyn nodded, "I think so. Can I go back to watching TV?"

Cam helped her down and she scampered off. As soon as she was out of earshot, Adrianna turned to him.

"What the hell are we going to do now?"

•••

"Mama's not back yet."

Cam walked out of his master bathroom to find Bronwyn standing in front of his bed.

"She's with your aunt Lux downstairs," he said, coming closer and touching her hair. "Do you want me to go get her for you? Or I can stay with you until you fall asleep?"

She chewed on her bottom lip, as if considering the offer. She smiled. "I can stay here with you until she comes to bed."

Cam smiled back, relieved that she wanted to spend time with him alone after what happened yesterday during their tour of the city.

"Do you have a TV?"

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