“Are you and Cal getting married?”
The comb I was using to brush Cami’s wet hair slips out of my hand. “Umm.”
“Can I have a sister?” Her smile expands until it takes over half her face.
Shit. Shit. Shit.I knew Cami would have questions, but things are escalating far too fast for me to keep up with.
I reach for the comb and place it on top of Cami’s king-sized mattress. “Cal and I aren’t getting married.” My tongue suddenly feels heavy.
“Why not?”
“Because not everyone who likes each other gets married.” And because I have no idea if we will ever get to a place where that is even remotely possible.
Don’t be so negative.
Hard not to be when pessimism is practically a default setting for me on some days.
“So, youdolike him?” She punctuates her question with a few air kisses, making me laugh.
“Of course.”
“Me too.” She grins.
“You do?” Her answer doesn’t surprise me, but it’s nice to get confirmation, especially after everything that happened with Victor.
“Yes. He’s nicer than Victor. He listens to me and likes to ask me questions and doesn’t make me feel like I bother him.” The confession rushes out of her.
I try my hardest to keep my emotions in check. It’s nearly impossible, especially with Cami bringing up Victor. It’s my fault she was ever put in a situation where a man would treat her as anything less than a princess.
Never again.
I tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “I think he’s a lot nicer than Victor too.”
“Andhe makes you laugh and smile.”
My brows rise. “I’ve always laughed and smiled.”
“Yeah, but you do it a lot more now.”
I’m at a loss for words. It’s such a simple observation on Cami’s part, but it is one that makes my entire chest ache.
Cami pops the bubble of emotion building in my chest with a random question, proving that six-year-old kids truly have the attention span of a puppy.
“Can I have a bedtime story now?”
I go along with Cami’s request, although her comment sticks with me long after she falls asleep.
Cal found his way into my bed while I was busy with Cami. I crawl under the sheets and snuggle against him, although I’m completely ignored as he continues reading his book. His look of concentration draws a soft chuckle from me.
He makes you laugh and smile.
Cal makes me do a lot more than that. He makes me want to have fun, enjoy life, and dream in a way I have long since forgotten over the years. Even with the odds stacked against us, he makes me want to believe we can work out.
But most of all, he makes me want to trust him. To fall in love once again.
With him.
Sun rays peek through the sides of the blackout curtains, basking Lana in an early morning glow. If I could, I would spend the whole morning here with her. Sneaking out of the bedroom before Cami wakes up is pure torture. Like every cell in my body is protesting against moving, making each step away from her impossible.