Page 70 of I Loved You First

“We have our first full run-through next week, so I’ll probably be over there for most of the day.”

“Have fun.”

“Okay.” Mom winked as she blew Fiona a kiss, took a step to leave, and then stopped. “You’re going to do what you want to do. I raised you to be strong and independent, which you are. Just be careful, baby girl.”

She nodded. “I am.”

Mom winked again. “Love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Several moments later, the front door closed as Fiona stared into her half-empty mug in the silence. Exhaling a long breath, she rested her head against the wall, thinking about the conversation she just had.

She was being careful. Ultimately, she adored Brady as if he were her own, and she loved Cam just as deeply as she always had. It did her no good to deny those facts. But knowing she was leaving—that her life in Seattle would begin again sooner rather than later—was something she was never foolish to forget.

Ultimately, she and Cam were heading down different paths. During their long nights of conversation and loving, Cam never mentioned wanting anything more than what they had right now. And that made sense. Because simple was working perfectly well for both of them.

Eventually, he would find a woman who would help him raise his son and give him more children like he’d always wanted—something she most likely wouldn’t be able to do.

And as much as that hurt, she had her own dreams to follow, even if she’d quietly grown restless for something more than just her thriving career.

For the last couple of years, she’d yearned to find a love like she’d shared with Cam and to make babies of her own. But the Universe had made her blatantly aware that those dreams were not meant to be. So she planned to focus on reality—on what she could have. Upon her return to Seattle, she had every intention of catapulting to the next level at Laurier Group after she and Leo knocked the governor and First Lady’s socks off.

In a few more weeks, she and Cam would go their separate ways again, but they would do so on both of their terms. Saying goodbye wouldn’t be easy, but ultimately, it was for the best.

She startled when her phone alerted her to a text. Looking at the screen, she smiled, realizing Cam had sent her a video.

Clicking on it, she grinned when Brady’s blurry face popped up.

“Hi, Fiona! I have a surprise for you.” He waved a wrapped box around for her to see. “Grammy helped me wrap it. And I picked out a bow.” He tried to show her, but as he looked at the bow himself, it was out of view. “Okay, bye, Fiona!”

She laughed when the video abruptly ended.

Seconds later, her phone rang. Immediately, she swiped right, already knowing it was Cam. “That was a pretty great video.”

“Brady did the camera work himself. I’m not sure if you could tell.”

She grinned, always adoring Cam’s humor. “I got that impression.”

“I imagine you’re pretty sick of us at this point, but I’m fairly certain Brady will either explode or break whatever he wrapped for you if you don’t open it soon.”

Laughing as she gained her feet, she headed for her chest of drawers, picking out a black tank top and denim shorts for the day.

“Do you have a couple of minutes for us to swing by? Or you can come out here.”

“I can head your way if you want.”

“Definitely. It’s supposed to be pretty hot. We might swim later and grill some chicken for dinner. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I’m not sure how long I can stay.” But even as she said so, she grabbed her bathing suit and an extra change of clothes.

“I guess we’ll play it by ear.”

“Sounds good. Let Brady know I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

“We’ll be impatiently waiting.”

She chuckled, catching a glance at herself in the mirror as she grinned, seeing the pure happiness in her eyes that her mother had spoken of. “I’ll see you soon.”