Page 75 of A Simple Regret

Oaklee just grins. “Oh, we know. We can tell because those Miller boys are potent and sexy.”

“And good with their hands,” Lizzie chimes in. “Wait, that sounds wrong. I only know about the good hands of one of the Miller boys, but I can tell it runs in the family.”

Oaklee nods insistently. “It does. Cade is…chef’s kiss.” She touches her fingertips to her lips and makes the kissing motion.

I feel my cheeks blush, but I’m going to blame it on the alcohol. “Well, I can’t speak from current experience, but from what I recall from when we were younger, Camden definitely has good hands too.”

“Wait, you guys haven’t…you know?”

“No,” I reply quickly. “We’re not…there.”

“You will be. He’s fucking you every which way to Sunday right now in his head.” This from Lizzie.

I turn to my left and find Camden’s heated gaze locked with mine. It’s like a caress, a soft, sensual touch with his eyes that blazes a trail of fire across my skin. I feel it in every part of my being, and pray this is the start of something more. I don’t know if our relationship will ever be the same, but I hope we’re on the right track. To what? Well, the jury’s still out on that, but it feels familiar and right.

Just then, the door opens and two women walk in. The second one notices Cam right away and makes a beeline straight for him. She throws her arms around him, clearly excited to see him. He returns the gesture, but his movements are stiff and maybe a bit unnatural.

“Who’s that?” I ask, not really sure I want to hear the answer. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her right away, and they’re clearly friendly.

“Oh, that’s Laura Fischer,” Lizzie says quietly, and I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“Yeah, they used to…” Oaklee chimes in but doesn’t finish her sentence.

“Date,” I state. “It’s okay, you can say it. I know he hasn’t been a monk these last seven years. I mean, we all know I haven’t been,” I reply, referring to my son. I just leave out the part about Theo’s father being the first guy I actually dated and slept with since I left Camden.

And we all know how that relationship turned out.

“Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you had fun, and I appreciate Lizzie Meyer for having me back again. Hope to see you next month,” the instructor states, offering a wave.

“I’m going to check on the food,” Lizzie says, and thankfully, both of us follow her.

“We’ll help,” Oaklee announces, linking one arm around mine as we go.

The food is picked over, especially since she allows the regulars and other patrons the opportunity to grab some of the food. We consolidate the sweet treats down to one tray and turn off the Crock-Pots so what’s inside doesn’t burn, but it doesn’t take much effort or very long. I don’t have to use the restroom, even though I consider going in there, just to give it more time, and before I know it, Lizzie is going behind the bar and Oaklee and I are heading over to where the guys are.

“There’s the most beautiful woman in the world,” Cade announces, making Oaklee blush.

Of course, when he makes his proclamation, everyone turns to look our way—including Camden and Laura. He instantly smiles and from what I can tell, it reaches his eyes. They’re a vibrant blue, despite the fact the lighting inside the bar isn’t all that great.

“Hey, did you have fun?” he asks as I slowly approach.

“I did,” I confirm softly, keeping my distance.

“Here, have a seat,” he states, jumping up and stepping aside so I can have his barstool. Laura has to back up just a bit, her eyes narrowing the moment he chivalrously offers me his seat. “Let’s see your masterpiece.”

I slip onto the stool and hand over my painting. “Picasso, I am not,” I state with a chuckle.

He grins down at the image. “I think it’s great.”

“Well, you’re the only one. You can hang it in your house,” I reply with an awkward laugh.

“I will,” he insists, his eyes twinkling. Suddenly, his face sobers. “Uhh, Maren, this is Laura. Laura, Maren. You might remember each other from school.”

I turn my attention to the woman standing near us, and once I catch a good look at her face, I realize she’s vaguely familiar. “Yes, I think I remember you,” I reply politely, extending my hand. “It’s good to see you again, Laura.”

“Yeah, you too, Maren.” Her tone doesn’t match her words. She doesn’t appear angry or upset, just…sad.

And I realize why.