Page 31 of I Loved You First

“Yeah, I’ll see you around.” And because there was nothing more he could do, he turned and walked away.

Fiona let herself inside, watching Cam disappear down the street. She closed her eyes as she exhaled a long breath, still processing the unexpected turn the evening had taken.

Walking to the park with Cam… Sitting on the swings and talking like they had so many times before…

After all these years, she finally understood that Cam hadn’t carelessly thrown away the life they’d shared. Ally had been eager to create more problems when there had been blood in the water, and Cam had made a mistake he couldn’t take back.

As she listened to his story and how things had played out during that tough first year, she’d found it difficult to feel betrayed. Because the misery and regret radiating in his eyes as he apologized had been undeniable.

Cam had hurt her like no one ever had. He’d altered the course of both of their lives, yet holding on to hard feelings changed absolutely nothing. It was impossible to go back to that long-ago summer, and knowing what she did now, she didn’t want to.

Brady was an amazing little boy, and for the first time in a long time, she and Cam were okay again. Or they were as okay as they could be.

She meant it when she told him she missed him. Spending time together over the last few days had reminded her of just how much.

For years, she and Cam had been great together. They’d shared a once-in-a-lifetime love. It didn’t make sense not to give a friendship a shot.

Opening her eyes, she stared at the dark, knowing it was time to truly leave the past where it belonged. “I choose now,” she whispered as she flipped the lock in place, gasping as she turned to see her mother standing on the bottom step, dressed in her pajamas. “Jeez, you scared me.”

“Sorry. Was that Cam’s voice I heard?”

She nodded. “He was concerned about my safety, so he walked me home.”

Mom smiled. “I was hoping you two might find a way to be easy with each other again.”

“We had a chance to talk.”

Mom stepped off the stair, reaching for Fi’s hand as she moved closer. “That’s great, sweetie.”

Fiona held it, giving a gentle squeeze. “We’ve decided we’re going to be friends.”

Mom’s brow rose. “I see.”

She frowned, hearing the skepticism in her mother’s tone. “What does that mean?”

Mom shrugged. “A friendship seems rather simple. You two have a lot of history—a lot of chemistry.”

Fiona shook her head. “All of that’s behind us. Cam has Brady. He’s happy. So am I.” And if she remembered a little too well how good it had felt to be wrapped up in Cam’s arms again, she would forget soon enough.

“I guess that’s all that matters, then.”

Fiona studied the much smaller bandage covering the stitches on her mother’s forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“A lot better. My ribs are far less achy.”

“Good. Can I get you anything?”

“I’m all set, pretty girl.”

“Then I’m going to take a shower and get to bed.” She kissed her mom before she started up the steps, already knowing she would be spending the majority of the night thinking about her conversation with Cam.

ten

Fiona sat next to Ellie in the conference room at the Bennet & Sons office building in downtown Maple Ridge, scanning the notes Ellie had made for Grandpa Bennet’s upcoming party. There wasn’t much to read.

“Basically, I have the country club booked. And I want to use the new bakery over by our house for the cake. I know we need food and flowers—a photographer.”

Ellie sighed as she slid her fingers through her shoulder-length hair. She’d dressed for a day with clients in white linen pants and a moss-green button-down shirt that enhanced the pretty color of her eyes. “I just haven’t had the time to give this party the attention it needs. We’re so busy these days with the business.”