Page 44 of Cougar

Bass scoffs, pretending to be offended. “Why not?”

“Because as of today, she’s got her wings. It’s only a matter of time before she’s ready to fly.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Not really.” I shrug. “But we can’t hide her from the world forever.”

He smirks. “We can try.”

* * *

After Bass leaves to take Jay to school, I hop in the shower and get ready to do absolutely nothing. I’m just putting on some makeup when my phone buzzes on the counter and Cam’s name pops up.

I swipe the screen and place the phone on speaker. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m at the gate. What’s the code to get in?”

“5-4-6-4.”

“See you in a minute.”

I quickly put on some mascara and then slip into a sundress before heading to the door to greet Cam. “No game today?”

“Nope, just a team meeting early this morning.” Turning his head left and then right, he scans the front of the house. “This is nice.”

I look around the foyer. “It is. My mother and Jessica did an amazing job with this place.” I start toward the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

After a quick tour and a trip to the garage to show off my new Maserati, Cam and I find ourselves back in the kitchen. Cam pulls out a barstool at the island and sits with his elbows propped on the countertop. “It’s so quiet. Where is everyone?”

“Grace is out shopping with my mother, and Bass is most likely parked outside the school waiting for Jay.” I snort a soft laugh.

Cam checks his watch. “Seriously?”

“I’m kidding. He went to find her a car.”

“Why didn’t you go with him?”

“Well one, I hate car shopping and two, I really think it’s something Bass wanted to do himself.”

“So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“No major plans.” I shrug. “I was just gonna hang out here, go through some mail, check in with Lucas and wait for Jay to get home.”

“Come on.” He stands up from the stool. “I’m taking you to lunch.”

* * *

“A palmetto bug?” Cam barks out a laugh.

We’re having lunch on the patio of a small bistro tucked between a clothing boutique and Starbucks. The large umbrella covering our table blocks out the sun, but August in Florida is almost unbearable regardless.

I’d just finished telling him about Jay’s freak-out over the roach. “As far as she’s concerned, it was a flying roach.”

“What the hell was she doing outside in the middle of the night anyway?”

“I don’t know.” I tilt my head to the side. “I didn’t even think to ask because she was with Bass.” I lean back in my chair and laugh. “I wish you could’ve seen her face. And Bass couldn’t stop laughing long enough to form a sentence.”

“And here I thought she wasn’t afraid of anything,” he jokes.

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