Page 13 of A Simple Regret

“No, not right now.” Not ever. “It’s your naptime.”

“No nap!”

I revert right into Mom mode and place my hands on my hips. “Yes, nap, Mister. You need to rest. When you wake up, you can help me unpack the rest of the boxes in your room and make macaroni for dinner.”

“Cheese!”

Dad shakes his head. “Come on, little buddy. Let’s go get in bed. Mom will come give you a kiss in a minute.”

“’Kay.” Theo doesn’t take Dad’s offered hand. Instead, he takes off running and hollers, “Race!”

Dad laughs and pretends to take off running behind him. I know the moment Dad catches him, because Theo giggles happily, sending my heart soaring.

My eyes turn on their own, and I take in the neighboring yard. It’s clean, well-maintained, and simple. There are a couple of chairs on the back porch but nothing elaborate or to indicate he entertains there often.

There’s also no sign of a woman. I try to keep my mind from going there too, because frankly, that’s none of my business. Actually, the fact Camden isn’t married is shocking to me. He was always so attentive, caring, and an all-around great boyfriend, so why didn’t someone else nail him down with a ring?

Unless…he has a girlfriend I just don’t know about yet.

And she could be showing up very soon.

Hell, maybe she even lives with him. Just because I didn’t see her last night or for less than the hour he was at my place this afternoon doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist. He could very well be in a committed relationship, and I’m about to have a front-row seat to the entire thing.

Yeah, that sounds like barrels of fun.

One thing I know for a fact is, I need to put Camden Miller out of my mind.

For my own sanity.

It’s been a few very long days.

I spent my entire weekend getting my new house set up, including making a few extra trips to the big box store over in North Ridge. I purchased curtains for the windows and a new cabinet for the bathroom. I’m grateful to have found a rental with all the appliances. My old apartment didn’t have a dishwasher, so I had to grab some of those pods for my new unit. I also had to purchase a shovel and salt for the weather, since I didn’t have to worry about that either at my old place. And in the spring, I’ll be purchasing a mower and other lawn tools I might need to maintain the yard. Dad offered to take care of it for me, but I don’t want to put him out. It’s not his responsibility, and to be honest, I’m looking forward to it. I always enjoyed mowing when I was a teenager. Of course, we had a big rider back then, and I’ll have to use a push mower now. But still, I don’t mind.

Yesterday, Theo and I made the short trip over to a daycare center. He won’t start preschool until the fall, and when I decided to move back to Cooper Town a few months back, I started checking into options for childcare. There are a few in-home options with limited or no availability, but when I found out Little Learners Daycare Center was still in operation and owned by Ellen Dummell, I knew that would be my first choice. I went to her daycare when I was younger, and she was the absolute best. Ellen readily accepted Theo into her daycare program, and he started today.

Today.

Tuesday.

It’s been a big day for both of us.

When we woke up and got ready, I made sure to encourage Theo every step of the way about his new routine, and when it came time to walk through the front entrance at Little Learners, he barely looked back before taking off and playing with two other children. It made my heart happy and my eyes leak a little moisture at the exact same time. He’s such a big boy already, and like my dad says, doesn’t have a shy bone in his body.

Once I had Theo taken care of at daycare, I went to work. It’s my very first day at the salon in downtown Cooper Town, and even though I don’t have any clients scheduled, I’m nervous. I’ve met Jenn before, though I used a different stylist when I lived in town. Lila is a new face, however. She does hair and nails, and from what I’ve been told is growing her clientele on the latter. That’s why Jenn was so interested in bringing me into the fold of her thriving business.

I’ve been here about an hour and have already met and been reintroduced to a dozen people. Apparently, word has gotten around of my arrival, and we’ve had a steady stream of familiar faces who have dropped by to say hello and wish me luck. One even booked an appointment for her daughter tomorrow after school.

I’m making a few adjustments at my station, moving around some of my products and supplies, just to keep myself busy. Jenn and Lila have agreed to give me all walk-ins while I build my clientele, which I’m eternally grateful for. Jenn has been doing this long enough that her schedule rarely allows her the time to cater to a walk-in customer, and Lila is trying to focus more on accommodating her nail clients.

Even if I have to just take the walk-ins for a few weeks, it’s a start.

Just before eleven, the door opens once more. A familiar face wearing a bright smile enters the salon, and the sight of him makes tears fill my eyes. I don’t move, not until I know what type of visit this is. He could very easily walk over and tell me off right before God and everyone lucky enough to be within earshot.

“Maren.”

“Mr. Miller,” I state as bravely as I can.

“Oh, none of that. Call me Tyson, please.”