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“It’s fine. I’m sure she enjoyed it .”
“This girl knew Sophie. Isn’t that, right?” His grandmother looked to Cami for reassurance .
Evan nodded. “Yes, grandmother. It’s Sophie’s great-niece. You know Cami. Camille Addison .”
She shook her head. “We only met today, but she’s lovely. And who are you again? You’re handsome. Isn’t he handsome?” She looked at Cami .
“I’m Evan, Grandmother. Your grandson? I’m here almost every day .”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t know about any grandchildren. Don’t think I ever settled down long enough for that.” She laughed, and for a second he realized how young she sounded. It must have been the effect of feeling so free and single .
“Why don’t I set up lunch in the kitchen?” he offered. “Where is Miss Bette ?”
The older woman looked confused .
Cami whispered, “In the laundry room. I told her I’d keep an eye on Miss Lily out here for her so she could get some chores done .”
“Ahh. Got it. Well, why don’t you help me?” He looked at Cami. “We’ll be right back, Grandmother. Don’t go anywhere.” He shook a finger at her in a teasing gesture .
Cami rose from the piano and followed Evan to the kitchen in the back of the house. It was the same 1920s two-story house his grandmother had grown up in. It was right across the street from the water, in a line of Victorian homes. There had been a few updates to the structure, but it had maintained its original design. The only real difference was that now the house matriarch slept downstairs in the guest suite and could no longer climb the stairs. There was an entire upstairs of five bedrooms, a sitting room, and a sleeping porch that was virtually untouched, other than when Miss Bette walked up there to dust and open the drapes occasionally .
“I can go,” Cami sputtered before they were even inside the swinging door of the kitchen. “I didn’t know you were coming for a visit. I didn’t mean to invade your time with her .”
“No. I’m sorry. I’ve been an actual Grinch. I need to apologize .”
Cami laughed. “Did you just call yourself a Grinch ?”
He winced. “Yeah. Don’t know any other name for it. My grandmother can’t remember who I am. Or you. But you came anyway, and you made her smile. Believe it or not, she’s very selective who she lets into the parlor. And she might not have her memory, but no one is allowed to touch that baby grand.” He stared at the floor. “I’ve been hard on you .”
“Maybe a little .”
“Did you see the paper today?” he asked. He wasn’t sure how to approach the topic .
She twisted her lips together. “I did. I didn’t know anyone took our picture. I had no idea we could make the front page .”
Evan sighed. “We’re the biggest story this town has ever seen.” He couldn’t help but wink .
“I’m sorry if that’s my fault. I didn’t want anything like this.” She slouched into one of the iron bistro chairs. Evan began to set up lunch. He grabbed two china plates from the cupboard. She may no longer have her memory, but his grandmother still liked things a certain way, and that meant always eating meals on the good china .
She didn’t complain if they had breakfast and lunch in the kitchen, but dinner was always served in the dining room under the massive chandelier and with candlelight .
Cami continued, “I wanted to come back and open The Sweet Treat . I didn’t want to drag you into anything. It was never what I had planned. I didn’t think we would see each other this much. I don’t know what I was thinking. It certainly wasn’t to make things worse between us .”
He poured the soup into a bowl. “I think I realize that .”
“You do ?”
He nodded. “I do .”
/> “The other night….” Her voice quieted .
“Yeah?” He knew it wouldn’t take much for his cock to start craving her again. Just the thought of what they did was enough to make him want another taste .
“I don’t want you to think I expect anything. Because I don’t. I mean. I’ve grown up a lot since high school.” She sighed. “Ok, now I sound like I’m in high school. What I’m trying to say is — ”
“Cami, don’t. It was hot. It was a fun night. Don’t say anything else about it.” He didn’t want to put a label on it, or analyze it. And if they talked about it, he could promise her he wouldn’t sling her over his shoulders and climb up the Victorian staircase and fuck her in one of the guestrooms .
The table was set. He moved a vase of paperwhites from the windowsill and placed them in the center of the table. “Listen, I have to get my grandmother. I didn’t know you’d be here. I only have lunch for two or I’d invite you to join us .”
