Page 55 of A Simple Regret

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Maren

“Bedtime.”

“One more book!” Theo proclaims for the third time before yawning. Poor Camden has just read four books in the last half hour because my three-year-old has needed just one more.

“No more, Theo. Four books are more than you normally get, and now it’s past your bedtime. You have to get up for daycare tomorrow.”

“I get to pway,” he says before yawning for the second time.

“You sure do,” I confirm, extending my hand toward him.

Cam helps him stand, since he’s sitting on his lap on the couch, and sets the small stack of books on the end table. Theo takes my hand but extends his other one to his friend. Cam immediately gets up to follow, and my throat is suddenly tight with emotion.

We walk together as one unit to put Theo to bed. My dad has helped me recently, and my mom back when Theo was younger, but this is a first for me. Having a man with me as I take my son to bed for the night. And not just any man, but Camden. Honestly, I would have thought monkeys would fly out of my ass before I suspected I’d have him beside me in a moment like this.

Our first stop is to the bathroom in the hallway, and while Theo and I slip inside, Camden waits in the hallway. I fully expect him to make his escape, and I wouldn’t blame him. He’s under no obligation to stay, despite the fact a three-year-old wants him to. He has a life, a job and friends and family that doesn’t include us. So when my son finishes using the potty, washing his hands, and steps outside the room, he’s so happy to see his friend waiting for him.

“Pick out your PJs,” I suggest when we enter his bedroom.

Theo releases my hand, but not Cam’s. He takes him to his dresser and carefully opens the bottom drawer. Camden helps him, ensuring the drawer doesn’t fall out. “Dis one or dis one?” my son asks his friend.

“Hmm, which one do you like most?” Camden asks, taking in both sets of pajamas that feature his favorite blue dog.

“Dis one,” Theo decides, holding up the two-piece, long-sleeved PJ set he received for Christmas.

“I like that one too,” Camden agrees.

“Come here, and I’ll help you change.” I retrieve a Pull-Up too, because even though he’s potty trained, it’s a newer feat and he still has occasional accidents.

Camden turns around to give us privacy, and while Theo tells me all about the building he and Cam constructed with the blocks earlier, I quickly help him into his pajamas. Finally, he climbs into his toddler bed and gets snuggled into his blankets.

“Good night, Theodore Adam Holm,” I say softly, earning the little giggle I expected to hear after using his full name.

“My name is Theo,” he replies.

I press a kiss to his forehead. “I love you.”

“Wove you,” he replies, turning his attention to Camden. He extends his arms, waiting for his hug.

“Good night, Theo.”

“Night-night, Cam. Wove you.”

Camden visibly swallows hard before whispering, “Love you too, little dude.”

We quietly exit the room. Neither of us says a word, and I find myself walking to the kitchen. I know we need to talk, and it’s practically the farthest point from Theo’s bedroom in hopes our discussion won’t reach his room.

The moment we’re inside the kitchen, I turn around and blurt out, “Your mom stopped by today.” When he doesn’t say anything right away, I continue, “I don’t want you to think I’m keeping that news from you or I’m using your family to get to you or anything like that. She just stopped by and wanted to say hello. Oh, and meet Theo.” My words came rushing out, my heart beating a little harder than before.

“I know.”

“You do?”

He cracks a small smile and leans against the counter in a casual manner. It’s hard not to stare at the way his long-sleeved shirt molds to his arms and chest. “Well, not specifically that she stopped by to see you today, but she did let me know she was going to visit you, and since she dropped off some stuff at my place, it doesn’t surprise me she’d walk next door.”