Page 88 of I Loved You First

She snorted out a laugh as she looked at her sandals among the pile of Cam’s and Brady’s shoes and her purse still sitting on the bench. “I figured that out on my way to the deck. I was going to text you when I got to the truck so you could bring me my stuff. I’m just happy I had my phone on me, or I would’ve been knocking on the door.”

He grinned, glancing over his shoulder, listening to Brady chattering away in the kitchen as he pulled Fi against him, wrapping his arms around her. “I’ve wanted to wake up with you all summer, but not like this.”

She smiled, kissing him. “It made the morning exciting.”

He huffed out a laugh, kissing her again. “I like your optimistic spin on a near disaster. How about some breakfast?”

“I’d love some.”

Capturing her hand, he walked with her down the hall, letting her go as they moved closer to the great room. “Let’s make something delicious.”

Brady grinned as he dragged a stool up to the counter in the way that he did when he wanted to help. “Yay!”

“I can put your plate in the dishwasher,” Brady said as he got out of his chair, moving to Fiona’s side as she finished her last bite of scrambled egg.

Smiling, she nodded as she set her fork down. “That’s really nice, buddy. Thank you.”

He picked up her plate. “Helping your best friend means you’re being kind.”

She grinned, forever in love with Brady Bennet. “Yes, it does. Being helpful is a very kind thing to do. And you helped make such a delicious breakfast, too. The gluten-free pancakes were so good.”

Brady smiled. “Yup.”

“What about the chopped liver over here,” Cam asked from his seat next to Fiona’s. “Do you want to help him out with his plate, too?”

“Dad,” Brady said as he shook his head. “You’re not chopped liver. But you have to wait your turn because you’re my second best friend.”

Cam laughed one of his big laughs, winking at Fiona as Brady walked off with her plate. “Got it.”

Chuckling, she touched Cam’s hand. “You’re a great second best friend, though.”

“Yup,” Brady agreed as he walked back to take Cam’s plate. “That’s why you get to play with me when you’re not at work. You make really cool Legos.”

“Thanks, bud,” he said as he slid his thumb along Fiona’s knuckles when Brady walked away again.

Moments later, Brady came back, stopping next to Fiona. “Do you want to play Legos with us and swim in the lake?”

“I do, but I’m helping my friend Melody for a little while today.”

Brady nodded, but his disappointment was apparent as he looked down at the floor. “Okay.”

“We’re setting up her classroom at big kid school,” she said as she settled her hand on his shoulder. “But I’m coming over later. Maybe we can play Legos and swim then.”

Brady smiled. “I’m going to draw you a picture while you’re gone.”

She beamed, always adoring Brady’s creativity. Because his imagination was top-notch. “I would love that. What will you draw for me?”

“It’s a surprise,” he whispered, moving closer to her ear, getting into the spirit of being mysterious.

“That sounds exciting,” she whispered back. “I can’t wait to see what you make.”

Cam stood, grabbing the maple syrup and the tub of butter, then headed for the fridge. “Why don’t you get dressed and get a head start on brushing your teeth, secret artist. We have to take care of a couple of errands before you can get to your drawing.”

Brady looked at Cam. “You’ll come upstairs and check my teeth for cavity bugs?”

Cam nodded. “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

“Okay.”