Page 12 of I Loved You First

Suddenly, the back seat window on Ellie’s truck rolled down, and a little boy who looked exactly like his dad blinked at her. “Who are you?”

Fiona stepped closer to the truck, scrutinizing his every feature. He had Cam’s eyes—the shape, color, and long lashes women envied. Their brow line, hair color, noses, and chins were identical. It was as if Ally had contributed nothing to the little boy’s DNA. “I’m Fiona Willis. Who are you?”

The little boy stood on his knees on his booster seat as he leaned farther out the window. “I’m Brady Bennet.”

Fiona stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Brady Bennet.”

Brady grinned his father’s grin as he returned her handshake. “I turned five when it was still May. How old are you?”

“Brady, we don’t ask adults how old they are,” Cam told his son. “It’s not polite.”

Fiona couldn’t help but grin. “I’m twenty-seven.”

“That’s old. Just like my dad.”

Fiona chuckled when Cam winced.

Oblivious to his faux pas, Brady continued their conversation. “I’m having my birthday party on Saturday. You can come.”

“That sounds like fun. What kind of cake are you having?”

“A dinosaur one. With chocolate in it.”

Fiona nodded. “That’s the best kind.”

Brady nodded enthusiastically. “I know.”

“What kind of gift does a boy who just turned five like?”

Brady shrugged. “My dad reads me cool books at night before I go to bed. And I like dinosaur stuff.”

“That makes sense with the dinosaur cake and all.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding again. “I’ll see you on my birthday, okay?”

“Okay,” she replied, certain he would forget he’d extended the invitation after he and his grandmother backed out of the driveway. She held out her hand again. “It was nice chatting with you, Brady Bennet.”

His grin was back when he shook her hand again. “I liked chatting with you, too.”

“We’ll talk next week,” Ellie told Fiona as she headed for the driver’s seat. “I need to get this handsome boy over to the Hot Dog House before he wastes away. Wilderness camp makes a young man hungry for a hot dog and French fries.”

“That sounds like quite a deal,” Cam said, moving closer to the back seat. “Buckle yourself up, buddy. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Brady beamed. “Okay, Dad.”

Ellie backed out, tossing them a wave.

“Bye, Dad. Bye, Fiona Willis,” Brady yelled out the window.

Fiona huffed out a laugh as she waved. And then she and Cam were alone in the front yard. “Cam, he’s amazing.”

Cam grinned. “He keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure.”

She grinned back. “I believe it.”

“Uh, the birthday party’s at one. You’re welcome to come.”

She knew Cam was being polite because showing up at Brady’s party was a terrible idea. “That’s really nice… But I don’t think… I’m sure Ally doesn’t want…” She cleared her throat and crossed her arms as their conversation instantly became awkward.