Page 34 of I Loved You First

Cam nodded this time. “I remember Leo.”

“We lived together until he got married last year, so I’m pretty well-versed in gluten-free living. We can ask him any questions you have.”

“That would be great because I’m completely overwhelmed.” He looked down at a list with the doctor’s letterhead on it, flipping to where it continued on the back. “These are all the things he can’t eat. I don’t know where to start.”

“How about we go shopping? Several of the grocery stores in the area are surprisingly nutritionally woke. I’ve seen lots of options when I’ve been out and about.”

His cell phone started to ring. “I like the way you think, but hold that thought.”

He pulled the phone from his back pocket and swore under his breath as he read the screen. “Hey, Billy, what’s up?” He closed his eyes as he let his head hang. “How did the countertop not get delivered? Either of them? Okay. I’ll head that way. Let’s get on the phone and figure out what happened. Let’s see if they can have them to us today. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Fiona winced as he hung up. “That doesn’t sound good.”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “This project has been a pain in my ass since day one.”

“How about you deal with your countertops, and I’ll take Brady shopping? I’ll show him that being ‘gludeon-free’ isn’t the end of the world.”

Cam scrubbed at his jaw. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

She raised her brow. “It’s a good thing I’m completely capable of taking care of a five-year-old.”

He steamed out a breath as he nodded. “I appreciate it. Thank you, Fi.” He reached into his wallet, handing her his credit card. “Grab whatever you think will work.”

Brady came wandering out with a red lollipop in his hand and a mess around his mouth.

Fiona smiled. “That looks delicious.”

Brady nodded. “It’s a cherry one.”

“Your dad has to go to work for a little while, and I’m going on a scavenger hunt.”

Brady perked up. “A scavenger hunt?”

Fiona nodded. “At the grocery store. I’m searching for gluten-free food. My friend Leo can’t have gluten either, and he eats all kinds of super yummy stuff like cake and cookies.”

Brady blinked. “He does?”

She nodded again. “Do you want to come with me and be my helper?”

Brady jumped up and down. “Yeah!”

She laughed as Cam grinned and winked at her. “I owe you one.”

She shook her head. “That’s what friends are for. Let me grab my laptop, and we’ll get your booster seat from the truck. Then it’s game on.”

Brady ran to the door. “Let’s go on a scavenger hunt!”

Three and a half hours later, Cam pulled up in front of Fi’s place. He paused with his hands on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath.

The day had pretty much been a shitfest. Between holding Brady down so they could take his blood at his tortuous doctor’s appointment, to the abrupt dietary changes, and then the back-and-forth with the counter company, he was ready to put Brady in the boat and cruise around the lake for a while.

Getting out, he headed up the porch steps, smiling when he heard the commotion through the screen door. “Knock, knock,” he called, letting himself inside.

“Dad!” Brady ran up to him, throwing his arms around Cam’s legs. “Gluten-free is way cool!”

Cam scooped him up, relieved that Brady thought so. “That’s great.” He kissed his forehead. “Obviously, you’re having fun with Fiona.”

“Yeah! We had chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. And we made cookies.”