Michael’s eyes lit up, as he stared at the sparkling blue coupe. “Seriously?”
“I figure it’s safer when you’re in the car.” Cam gave him a grin.
“Okay then.” Michael rubbed his hands together. “Let’s go.”
It had been a good day. Mia had spent the mornings in meetings with Scotland and Tokyo to discuss the new international blend campaign she’d be working on, then the afternoon doing more research and starting to sketch out some ideas. It would be weeks before the plan was good enough to present to the board, but it was progress, and it felt good.
Even better, the sun was shining, golden beams illuminating the changing leaves on the trees, their red and orange hues reminding her so much of fall as a child.
Turning the corner onto Ash Street, she immediately pressed the brake when she saw three people in the road. Josh was running toward her, a football in his hand. Turning, he threw it hard at Michael who was at the far end. But before he could catch it, another person intercepted it.
No, not another person. Cam Hartson.
Cam Hartson was playing ball with her kids.
It felt like two worlds were colliding. Memories of her late night conversation with Cam rushed into her brain. His low, sexy voice, with his intriguing offer. The way her body responded to his words.
And now he was here with her children.
“Mom!” Josh called out, his face lighting up when he spotted her car. He ran toward her, his face bright red with exertion. She lowered her window, and he leaned on the sill, his breath catching.
“Mikey’s gonna help coach my pee wee team, and Cam’s been running drills with us. How cool is that?”
She forced a smile on her lips. “Way cool.”
“Wanna come and play?” Josh asked her.
Glancing down at her skirt and heels, Mia shook her head. “I need to get dinner started. And you boys need to come in and do your homework.”
“Oh mom.” Josh sighed. “I need to practice. Cam says that all games are won in training.”
“Yeah, well even Cam had to do his homework when he was a kid. Let me park, and I’ll watch you throw a couple.”
“Yes!” Josh did a fist bump, and Mia tried not to laugh, because he looked so damn happy.
Climbing out of her car after she’d parked it in the driveway, Mia looked over to where Michael and Cam were standing. They were talking about something, and Michael laughed and slapped Cam’s back.
When had they become best friends?
“Hey, Mikey, I’m gonna throw the ball again. Mom, are you watching?”
“Yes, honey, I’m watching. Five more minutes and it’s time to come in.”
“Okay.” Josh sighed, then looked over his shoulder at Michael. “I’m gonna run,” he told his brother. “Yell at me when you throw. And then I’ll throw it back to Cam.”
Sitting down on the top step of the stoop, Mia kicked her high heels off, and watched her son as he ran down the street. She’d tell him off for playing in the road, except she was the only one who ever drove down here. Michael yelled and threw the ball, and Josh kept running until it landed in his hands.
And then she made the mistake of looking at Cam Hartson, and her heart started racing.
He was staring right back at her, his eyes narrowed, his mouth slightly parted. Everything about that look made her shiver.
Come here just once. I’ll make sure you come plenty more times.
She’d been thinking about those words ever since he said them. Late at night, when she still couldn’t sleep. At work when her mind drifted.
And now, when she was feeling angry because he shouldn’t be here with her kids.
“Okay,” she shouted, when the five minutes were up. “It’s time to come in.”