Page 78 of I Loved You First

Fiona eased back, thrilled for her friend. But she couldn’t deny that she felt a pang of envy that Melody and Ezra’s love story seemed to be so carefree and easy. “Let me know when it’s time to start planning the wedding.”

Melody laughed. “You’ll be the first.” Then she cleared her throat as she settled her hands on her hips. “So, are we putting the coffee and espresso maker in its place, or are we talking about what’s going on between you and Cam?”

Fiona rolled her eyes. Because she’d been waiting for Mel to start asking questions. The fact that she’d waited so long had been slightly shocking. “It’s really nice having him back in my life.”

Melody raised her brow. “And what about in your bed?”

Fiona grinned because it had always been impossible to hide anything from Mel. She remembered the long-ago night when she’d called her best friend the second she’d gotten home from losing her virginity to Cam. Because they told each other everything. Or almost everything. “Technically, it’s his bed. But it’s as good as it’s always been. Probably better.”

Melody laughed. “I knew it.”

Chuckling, Fiona shrugged. “We spend a lot of time together. We’re still attracted to each other.”

Melody’s smile turned into a frown. “It’s more than that.”

Fi’s smile dimmed as she jerked her shoulders, moving to the table to unbox the fancy new espresso and coffee maker. “We’re keeping things simple. We’re having fun.”

Melody covered Fiona’s hand, stopping her movements. “Feel free to lie to yourself but not to me, Fi.”

She looked at Melody. “I’m going home soon. My career’s about to change after Leo and I pull off this wedding.”

Melody sighed. “But⁠—”

“Just let it be simple,” she said in a rush as she adamantly shook her head. “This is the way Cam and I want it. Please, Mel.”

Melody held her gaze for several more seconds before she nodded. “Okay. We’ll let it be simple.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s get back to Ezra’s surprise.”

Fi nodded, trying to smile as she reversed her hand, holding Mel’s. “I’m sorry.”

Melody shook her head. “Don’t be. I’ll get the new mugs washed up while you do your styling magic.”

Fi forced another smile as Melody walked to the shopping bag she’d set by the sink. “Sure.”

Focusing on the box again, she tried not to think about Cam or the conversation Melody wanted to have. Because she couldn’t go there. She and Cam had what was left of this summer. That was all.

twenty

Cam groaned as he sat on the floor next to Fi, holding her hand as they rested their heads against the couch cushions. His gaze tracked over the cups and plates scattered on the coffee table and then the mess of cardboard boxes and dining room chairs, where the boys had made forts with every blanket he owned instead of playing in the four-person tent he’d set up in the center of the great room.

It was safe to say the place was trashed. Luckily, the boys had finally fallen asleep in their sleeping bags when Cam turned off all but one light above the stove at ten thirty.

“What was I thinking when I offered this up?”

“That you wanted to make your little boy happy.” She lifted his hand to her lips, kissing his knuckles. “Mission accomplished.”

The rain pounded harder beyond the French doors as firelight flickered in the fireplace and the air-conditioning blasted through the vents.

He lifted his head to look at her. “You saved my ass, Fi. Again. That rain came out of nowhere. It was supposed to be clear skies all day.”

She grinned. “Rule number one of event planning is always have a plan B. If you’re smart, you have a plan C, too.”

He loved that she’d been here with him—that they’d worked together to pull off Brady’s first sleepover. They’d always made a great team. Nothing had changed about that. “The dance party and movie with the popcorn and candy in those cool popcorn boxes was clutch. And the cardboard box forts pretty much saved my sanity. I never would have thought to give them rolls of painter’s tape to decorate with.”

She smiled again. “The boxes and tape were pretty much guaranteed to keep them occupied in one space. They definitely don’t sit still for very long.”