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I wait, but she doesn’t continue. “What?”
“I just...don’t think I can afford life on my own. At least not until I graduate and get a job.”
Why didn’t I think about this? Cam’s worried I’m going to take my kids and move in with Dom, leaving her and my nephews to fend for themselves. It’s a little offensive because I’d never do that, but also...this thing with Dom came out of nowhere, so I can see why she’s unnerved about it.
“We’re only here until the Jake thing gets settled. Then we’re going back home. All of us, together. The six of us are a family and that’s never going to change.”
“Tess...”
“Dom and I can still be together, but it’ll be with him living here and us living at our house.”
She nods. “That’s a relief, at least until I graduate. Then I want you to make decisions that are just for you and your kids.”
I shake my head adamantly. “No, we’re in this together. I’m not leaving you and you’re not leaving me.”
Her smile is tinged with sadness. “We’ll always be sisters, but we can’t live together forever. I couldn’t have gotten through school without your help, and I’ll forever be grateful to you for that. But Dom...he’s the real deal. He loves you. Don’t be too stubborn to open your heart to him.”
I gesture around at the kitchen. “Are you kidding? Look at me. I’m standing here in his kitchen wearing his jersey. I told him I loved him, too. I’ve opened my heart and everything else to him.”
“You know what I mean. When the time comes...”
I put up a hand, cutting her off. “We just started dating. That’s so far away.”
“I don’t know.” She gives me a knowing smile. “I don’t think either of you will like you moving back to the other house.”
I bristle, her words hitting close to home. “I mean, this house is nicer. The coffee is better, as you and Eduard know. But I’m not the kind of woman who moves in with a man that fast.”
“You’ll know what to do when the time is right.”
I start cracking eggs into the bowl. “Thanks for the fortune cookie wisdom.”
Sam wanders into the kitchen, his light-brown hair sticking up in all directions. He still looks half-asleep.
“Is it a school day, Mom?”
Cam brushes a hand over his hair. “Yes, baby. But you’re up early. You can go back to bed for a little bit if you want.”
“Okay. Don’t let Tate eat all the bacon.”
She watches him pad across the kitchen, her palm on her chest. “You know, if my boys end up being the loves of my life, I’m more than okay with that.”
“Don’t give up on romantic love.”
Arching her brows, she gives me a wry smile. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are giving me that advice.”
She’s right. Dom has made me into someone I’ve never been before. I’m hopeful. I smile for no reason. Okay, the reason might be when I’m thinking about him. I’m not constantly worried about how I’ll keep the lights on.
Cam heads toward the stairs. “If you’ve got breakfast covered, I’m going to go fantasize about Eduard in the shower.”
“That’s super weird.”
“What can I say?” She shrugs as she sips from her mug. “He’s just really hot.”
“Wet floor!” Deb calls as I walk out of the diner’s kitchen later that day.
I sidestep the puddle of iced tea and ice on the floor, a plate of food in each hand. When I get to the right table, I set the plates down in front of two women who look like a mother and daughter.
“Grilled cheese and fries, and...Cobb salad, no tomatoes. Is there anything else I can get you?”
