Page 93 of A Simple Regret

“Yeah, but we have a yard here and room to move. Theo can play outside and I don’t have to worry about the neighbors or who’s hanging around the building,” I counter, not really wanting to argue with her again over something we’ve already discussed.

She looks in my room and turns around. “I guess I’ll just sleep with you.”

Excuse me?

“You’re staying?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around what’s happening.

“I am,” she declares happily. “What’s for dinner? It smells delicious.” she turns and brushes past me, heading for the kitchen.

Dinner.

Shit.

“Oh, that’s just an Italian chicken pasta recipe I found online,” I state when I join her.

Mom walks to the Crock-Pot to take a peek, opening the lid when you’re not supposed to and not caring that she’s doing it. “This looks interesting. And so much food. Are you feeding an army?”

If she only knew.

Speaking of, I need to message Cam and cancel. No way do I want him to be subjected to my mom tonight. There’s no reason for both of us to have our nights ruined.

However, luck isn’t on my side, because as soon as I start looking for my phone to text Camden, there’s a knock at the back door. Worse, Theo hears it and takes off running.

“Cam!” he hollers, scurrying straight to the door and turning the knob.

“Don’t open the door, remember?” I chastise, hurrying behind him to release the lock.

The moment the lock is released, I step back and help Theo pull the door open. “Cam!”

“Hey, little dude,” Camden states as my son leaps into his waiting arms. “Good to see you again.”

“Gwam!” Theo says, pointing to where my mom stands, a look of shock written all over her face.

“Hillary,” Cam greets, unable to hide his shock.

“Camden. Wow, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Mom states, pasting on a big fake smile.

“Honestly, same,” he replies, his blue eyes clouded with confusion as he looks over at me.

“Mom surprised us with a visit,” I state, hoping it’s enough for now.

“And what a nice surprise it was, I’m sure,” he replies, turning to Theo and tickling his side. “Are you happy Grandma is visiting?”

“Yep!” he insists.

“So, Camden…what brings you here?” Mom asks, and I know she won’t let this ride. She’s shocked to find him here, not that I blame her, since I haven’t told her about rekindling my relationship with him. Or whatever this is. We haven’t had the conversation, but it feels like a relationship to me.

He glances to me, as if seeking direction on how much he’s supposed to tell. “Uhh, I live next door,” he tells my mom.

“Really? What a coincidence,” she replies, scanning from him to me and then back to Camden.

“It was quite the shock when we both realized I was his new neighbor,” I add.

“You didn’t know? How odd,” Mom says with a chuckle.

“This was the house Dad found for me. He didn’t mention the neighbors, other than it was a great, family-friendly neighborhood,” I reply.

She snorts and shakes her head. “Very typical of your father to not give you the full picture of something as major as this.”