Page 23 of A Simple Regret

“He’s my neighbor. My car wouldn’t start this morning, so he helped me out.”

She lifts her chin, her smile growing even bigger. “Of course he is. And what a neighbor he is.”

I snort and shake my head. “He doesn’t like me,” I confess softly.

“Oh, he does. I saw the look in his eyes when he first walked in and laid eyes on you. He tried to mask it with annoyance and indifference, but it was there. That man does like you. A lot.”

I don’t reply, just keep busy finishing her hair. I also try not to replay her words, because I think she’s wrong.

Camden doesn’t like me.

Not anymore.

The last thing I need is for what Hazel said to take root in my brain. That’ll lead me nowhere but to a road covered in pain.

“All set, Miss Hazel,” I announce after spraying down her curls.

She grins widely. “It’s lovely, dear.”

I remove the cape, lock the chair, and help her stand. “I’m glad you like it.” Together, we walk to the front counter, where she pulls out some cash. “It’s eighteen dollars.”

She hands me a twenty. “Keep the change, dear.”

“Thank you,” I reply, slipping the money in my bank envelope.

“No, thank you. Now, let’s talk about putting me on your schedule every Thursday.”

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Camden

I pull into my driveway and let my eyes stray to the right. Adam’s truck isn’t there, but the lights are on in the house, letting me know Maren is home. I park my truck near the front of my house, far enough back that I can still get Maren’s little SUV inside my garage.

Climbing from the truck, I grab the car parts and head for the side door of my garage. I’m not one-hundred-percent sure what’s wrong with her car, but I have an idea and know where to start. I brought home a battery and an alternator, as well as some basic tune-up needs for her vehicle, and I’ll be able to diagnose it better once I get it in here.

Of course, getting it in my garage isn’t going to be fun. Thankfully, there isn’t much snow outside, because pushing a car through the snow fucking sucks.

When I’m inside, I flip on all the lights. I don’t mess with the thermostat yet, because I’ll have the door open when I bring Maren’s car in. Once I sort out the parts on the counter, I take a deep breath and prepare for the next step.

Outside, I walk straight to her back door and knock. I hear the lock release, and when she pulls open the door, I’m struck by how beautiful she is. She’s wearing leggings, an oversized sweatshirt, and fuzzy socks with penguins on them. Her long blond hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and I have an instant flashback of my hand sliding into that hair while I kissed her in the end zone at the end of my final football game.

“Hey.”

“Can you help me get your car into my garage?” I blurt out, forcing the image from my mind.

“Of course.” Just as she takes a step back, the unmistakable sound of feet running grows louder.

“Cam!”

“Hey, buddy,” I say, just as the boy runs around the corner and launches himself at me.

“Can I bring Theo with me?” she asks, reaching for her winter coat.

“Of course,” I reply, giving the boy my full attention. “Wanna go help get your mom’s car in my garage?”

“Yep!”