She laughed, running her hands over his short hair. “Come over any day at about six. You’ll see me really losing it then.”
“I’d come over to your place any time.”
“I know you would. And in a different life, that would work. But not this one.”
No, not this one. And it made his stomach feel tight, because for the first time in forever he could see another kind of life for himself. One where he had a kick-ass woman always beside him. With two kids who weren’t his but who were funny and clever, and saw him as something more than a coach.
A life that made him feel like he finally belonged somewhere off the field, the way he hadn’t in more than twenty years.
But he didn’t want to think about what he couldn’t have. He wanted to enjoy the moment, having her in his arms. Because her soft, sweet body felt amazing against his.
“We have an hour until you have to go,” Cam whispered, hitching her against him, as he kissed his way up her neck. “Let’s see if I can make you scream my name this time.”
Chapter Nineteen
It was almost six. How the hell had it gotten so late? Mia saved the document she’d been working on and searched through the papers on her desk for her phone. She was supposed to have left half an hour ago – to make dinner and finish working with Josh on his project. Like her, he had a big presentation tomorrow. And they were both as nervous as hell.
As she grabbed her jacket, she typed up a quick message to Michael.
Running late. Just leaving work now. Can you grab a pizza from the freezer and turn the oven on? Mom xx
She was rushing down the hallway when his reply appeared.
It’s okay, we’re going to order in. It’s all under control. You still like Hawaiian, right? – Michael
xx
Okay, but check if there are any coupons before you order. – Mom xx
Chill. It’s all under control. See you later. Michael xx
Unlocking her car, Mia let her muscles relax. Michael was growing up. He wasn’t a man yet, but he was definitely more responsible than he’d been in Kansas City. Maybe the move had done him good after all. As promised, he’d helped Josh with his project this week. The three of them had sat at the table every evening, Mia working on her own presentation and her sons bent over Josh’s life size man ‘with his guts spilling out’.
Josh’s words, of course.
It had been sweet watching the two of them together. Not squabbling or ignoring each other, but actually having fun as they glued body parts and identified them with black sharpies. Now the body was complete, and tonight was all about working on Josh’s presentation.
And hers. Because tomorrow was a big day for her, too.
She was loving working on the new blend. Everybody at G. Scott Carter was excited about the potential of their new product, and she was determined to make the marketing plan shine. Eliana had even nodded her head when Mia had given them a run down at the last board meeting, looking impressed at the first draft Mia had made.
She hoped her boss was as impressed tomorrow. The whole board would be there – including Eliana’s other son, Daniel, who was Skyping in from Scotland, and her two step-children. They wanted to start moving forward with their plans, ready for the big launch next year, and Mia’s project was an important part of that.
She was excited and anxious as well as every emotion in between. Thank god for Cam and the way he made her smile. Thinking about Saturday was one of the things that was keeping her going. His body was an amazing stress reliever.
The house was quiet when she opened the front door, dropping her briefcase on the floor as she kicked off her heels, feeling the warmth of the wooden slats against her stockinged feet.
“Hello!” she called out. “Where are you guys?”
“We’re in the living room,” Josh piped up. “We’ve been waiting for you. Hurry up, I want to show you something.”
A smile flittered on her lips as she walked down the hallway. “Okay, I’m coming.”
In the living room, Josh was standing next to his project. The diagram of a man had been mounted onto thick cardboard with a stand at the back since she’d last seen it. It was complete, each part of his anatomy labeled, and of course in true Josh style, there was a lot of blood splattered around his body.
“Do you like it?” Josh asked, clapping his hands together. “We finished it. I’ve even been practicing my presentation. Cam says I’m a natural.”
Cam? Mia turned her head to the sofa, where Michael and Cam were sitting, their body positions mirror images of each other. Leaning back on the cushions, their long legs sprawled out, with matching grins on their faces.