Page 43 of I Loved You First

The front door opened, and moments later, Brady stopped in her doorway. He wore a blue team shirt and black shorts with his soccer socks pulled up and ready for his shin guards. The blond highlights waking up in Cam’s hair were visible in Brady’s hair, too. “Wow!”

Cam stopped next to his son in dark-gray athletic shorts and a red sleeveless top, raising his brow as he settled his aviators on top of his head. “Yikes.”

“Hey, guys.” She grinned as she blew up the balloons. “Welcome to controlled chaos.”

Cam’s gaze darted from the bags piled in all four corners of the room to the dozens of various-sized balloons scattered around the floor. “I was thinking maybe it was just chaos.”

She laughed. “I had to do some shopping today.”

“I see that.” Cam’s gaze wandered around the room again. “Remind me to take out stock in the party store.”

Laughing as he grinned, she tied off the balloons. “I needed stuff for Grandpa’s party, which is coming right up. And I have a couple of new clients on my planning board.”

She gestured to her whiteboard with her chin, where she’d added two new events to her list. Word was getting around that she was helping Ellie, and people were eager for her expertise for their own parties.

“Huh,” he said, looking at the board. “Working on your break. That’s one way to take a vacation.”

She smiled as she shrugged, grabbing two more balloons—white ones this time. “I like working. Especially this type of work.”

“I’d say you must.”

“Typically, Leo and I share two assistants—Paul and Paisley. It’s safe to say they’re amazing. We keep them incredibly busy. But while I’m here, I’m on my own.” She batted her lashes and turned down her bottom lip in a pout as she tied off the next two balloons.

Brady hurried over, standing before her with concern filling his bold green eyes. “Don’t be sad, Fiona.” He sandwiched her cheeks between his little palms. “I can go to the party store with you.”

Her heart melted. “Aw, thanks, buddy. I’m not really sad. I’m just being silly. I actually like doing this stuff, but I usually don’t have time.”

She looked Brady up and down. “You look like you’re ready to play some soccer.”

He beamed. “Yup.”

Cam leaned his weight against the doorframe. “It’s Brady’s first night of practice with his team.”

Fi waggled her brow at Cam’s little boy. “That’s exciting.”

Brady nodded. “Me and Dad have been practicing at home so I’ll be ready.”

“That’s great.” She gave him a gentle poke to his belly. “Practice is important.”

He nodded again. “You can come watch me at my games.”

“I’ll definitely watch you at your games.”

He bent down to touch a balloon. “Why do you have pink balloons?”

“They’re for my new client. She’s having a baby shower.”

Cam’s brow furrowed. “Is that okay for you?”

She nodded, hearing the sudden protective ring to his tone, understanding his concern. She’d been waiting to regret their conversation at the lake a couple of days ago, but confiding in Cam had been incredibly easy. His kindness and support—his reassurances that she was still perfect in his eyes—had been a balm against her biggest heartache. “I’m an event planner. People have babies. It’s fun to enjoy their excitement.”

Brady touched the balloon pump. “Girls have babies. You’re a girl, so you can have one, too.”

“Maybe someday.”

Cam clenched his jaw, holding her gaze as apology filled his eyes.

Subtly shaking her head, she smiled, assuring him that his son’s innocent comment was okay. “Do you guys have a few minutes?”