She played the words over in her mind. Maybe she’d need some time to get used to it, too. In a good way, because being with him felt so easy. When he was around, she felt as though she could breathe. Could be herself, the person she used to be before life pulled her along and made her breathless.
She liked who she was when Cam was around. And she adored being with him.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” She smiled at him. “Just be yourself and they’ll get used to it.”
He slid his hand around her neck, pulling her in for a kiss. “You make me happy,” he whispered as he pulled away. “So damn happy.”
She smiled softly at him. “Ditto.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Hey, sweetie,” Mia said, lifting her phone to her ear. Cam crossed his legs and picked up his coffee mug, watching her as she talked to her boys.
They were sitting at a coffee shop in Main Street Village. Mia had insisted they get up at eight – though he’d managed to persuade her to come in the shower with him. By nine they’d walked along the beach, then taken a taxi into the village, which was full of quaint old low country buildings and pretty boutiques.
Now they were sitting at the café, while she chatted with the boys who were still with her ex-husband. Well, her almost-ex. Cam swallowed another mouthful of coffee. Yeah, that divorce couldn’t come fast enough.
“You did?” Mia said, her lips curling. “Wow, you’re brave. I can’t believe how grown up you sound. I’m glad you’re having fun.” Her eyes met Cam’s. He winked at her and she blew a kiss back.
“Well, have fun, honey. And I’ll see you later tonight. Is Michael still there?”
There was a pause as she waited for her eldest son to take his phone back. Cam took the opportunity to admire her. She looked amazing, sitting in the dappled sunlight, her pale yellow sundress clinging to her skin. She’d put a change of clothes in her bag – ready to put her jeans and sweater on at the airport, and return to the cool temperatures in Hartson’s Creek.
They’d head straight to the airport after this. Their bags were being handled by the hotel, and would be conveyed directly to the airline check in desk for them. The pleasures of flying first class. His money definitely made his life easier. He wanted to make Mia’s life easier, too.
“Hey honey, are you having fun, too?” Mia asked, when Michael came onto the line. “You did? Great. Thank you for looking after him. He sounds like he’s enjoying himself.”
She picked up her coffee cup. Lifting it to her lips. “Sorry?” Her brow dipped as she listened again. “You called the landline? Why?” Pursing her lips, she blew out a mouthful of air. “I must have been in the yard and didn’t hear it.”
So Michael was asking questions. That wasn’t a surprise. Cam knew he was protective of his mom. He’d wanted to pay back the car repairs without her knowing, after all.
That was something Cam needed to talk to him about, man to man. He’d do it this week, before he headed to L.A. Explain that he didn’t feel right lying to Mia, and that Michael didn’t need to come around and do chores anymore.
If they were going to do this thing, it needed to be a clean slate. No more hiding things. He was done with that.
His relationship with Mia was too important to mess up. Yeah, it had started with pure attraction, but now it was so much more. He wasn’t lying yesterday when he told her he was falling for her. The fact was, he’d already fallen hard. He was laying on the ground, staring up in wonder at this woman who’d changed his life. Who’d made him feel things he’d never felt before.
“Okay, I’ll see you tonight. Have fun, my darling.” Mia sighed and ended the call. “He’s angry because he called home and I didn’t answer this morning.”
“We need to tell him about us.”
She nodded. “I know. But we need to do it the right way. I know Michael. He doesn’t like surprises. He wants to think he’s in control. Let him get used to having you around, then I’ll talk with him, okay?”
Cam nodded. “You’re his mom. You know him better than anybody.”
“Thank you.” She put her phone in her purse and reached for his hand. Their fingers slotted together perfectly. “For always being so understanding.”
“I like your kids,” he told her. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to have you in my life.” He cleared his throat. “And to make Naked Saturday a permanent thing.”
She laughed, the worry melting from her face. “Why do I feel like you’re being serious?”
“Because I am.” He lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing her palm against his lips. “Deadly.”
“Thank you,” she said, rolling onto the balls of her toes to press her lips against his. “For the weekend. For being you. For everything.”
Cam slid his hands to the small of her back, pressing her body to his. They’d barely been able to keep their hands off each other during the flight – much to the amusement of the flight attendants. And now they’d reached the VIP car park, and their respective cars were waiting for them – her Honda looking a little sad next to his sparkling – and undented – blue Audi.
“Thank you for being mine.” He smiled at her softly,