Page 82 of I Loved You First

Fiona nodded again. “I found out a few months ago. I haven’t wanted to talk about it yet.”

Melody’s eyes filled now. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Fi.”

The tears she tried to blink away trailed down her cheeks. “He’s always wanted a big family. That’s what we always used to talk about.”

Melody shook her head. “He’s always wanted you.”

Fiona shook her head as she swiped at her cheeks. “He hasn’t said so. Not this time. We promised each other simple. I’m going back to Seattle. In exactly two weeks, Leo and I will be up to our eyeballs in that wedding.”

“You have to tell him you love him, Fi. You owe it to yourself to see where things stand. Promise me you will.”

She stared into Melody’s compassion-filled eyes for several seconds. Because the idea was terrifying. The idea of Cam not wanting what she did—of him not wanting her because of what they both knew—was more than she could bear. Enjoying a summer fling was one thing. The reality of her situation and what that meant in the long term was entirely different. But she nodded. “I’ll talk to him at some point. When it feels right.”

“Okay.” Melody hugged her hard. “I love you, Fi. I always want you to be as happy as you were on that phone call.”

Fiona hugged her best friend back. “I love you, too.”

Melody eased away. “Now, let’s get out of here so we can go see our hot men.”

Fi grinned. “And I imagine we’ll pick this conversation up sooner rather than later whether I want to or not?”

“You can count on it. Let’s both figure on tomorrow.”

They both laughed as they linked arms again, heading to their metered spots down the street.

Cam came downstairs after tucking Brady into bed, staring at Fiona while she wiped down the kitchen counters. She’d changed before she headed over to the house, looking just as delicious in a simple white T-shirt and short shorts as she had in her yoga outfit.

She looked up, sending him a smile as he walked down the hall. “That didn’t take long.”

He shook his head. “We barely made it through the first book. Swimming all afternoon usually does it.”

“I can imagine,” she said as she smiled again. But she didn’t meet his eyes as she turned to rinse out the dishcloth.

His brow furrowed as he stared at Fi’s back. She’d been here for the past couple of hours. She and Brady had chatted and laughed while they shucked the corn and prepared a monster-sized salad while Cam had been back and forth to the grill. Conversation had been fairly normal as the three of them ate dinner on the patio, but something was off.

Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “You’re quiet tonight.” He kissed her temple. “What’s up?”

She shook her head as she turned in his arms. “I’m fine. I have some work stuff on my mind.”

“The wedding?”

She nodded.

He kissed her lips this time. “Are you up for being distracted?”

She grinned. “I am.”

He snagged her hand, walking with her to the couch. “Let’s park it over here for a little while.”

She took her phone out of her back pocket before she sat on one of the center cushions. “Sure.”

Settling on his knees in front of her, he held her gaze as he sandwiched himself between the V of her legs. “I was thinking about watching a little TV before I made my move and tried to make out with you. But now I think I’ll just go for it.”

She laughed, locking her arms around the back of his neck. “I like your new plan.”

Leaning in, he captured her lips, deepening their kiss by degrees.

She hummed in her throat, following his lead as she pressed herself closer against him.