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My grip on the safety bar slips as she makes a sharp left turn. “No wonder your tires were balding. You drive like you’re being chased by the cops.”
She laughs herself hoarse. I’m hopeless as I watch in complete fascination, my chest swelling with emotion at the sight of her happiness.
This was all I wanted for her. I just never thought I could be the one to make it happen with all the other stuff bogging me down, getting in the way of our chance at a happy ending.
But the only thing getting in the way was me. Not my addiction. Not my career.
Me.
Because at the end of the day, I’m the one who makes the final decisions over my life.
I chose wrong when I left her the last time. She was supposed to be better off without me, but her obvious loneliness has proved the exact opposite.
Lana was surviving—not thriving—and I have only myself to blame.
And I don’t plan on making the same mistake again.
Lana drives down a few more blocks before pulling into the parking lot of Cami’s summer camp. With the way she navigates the streets, I’m surprised she hasn’t ended up injured or in far worse condition.
Lana comes out of the building with Cami skipping behind her. Cami’s whole face lights up when she catches me sitting inside.
“Hi!” she squeals as she drops into the back seat.
I hold out my hand for her to slap. “What’s up, kiddo?”
My question turns into a whole story about her day. Cami spends the short drive to the market talking about her afternoon at the swimming pool and me following up with questions.
“Come on.” Cami bounces out of the car before grabbing on to Lana’s hand. She clutches mine with her other, linking the three of us together.
I lift her arm up and nudge Lana to do the same. She copies me, causing Cami to swing between us. The giggle she lets out makes my whole heart threaten to burst like a confetti cannon. Lana’s eyes flicker from Cami to me. Whatever she finds in my gaze makes her face soften and her lips turn up into a fraction of a smile.
“Again! Again!” Cami tugs on our arms with a surprising amount of strength for someone so tiny. Lana and I oblige, earning another high-pitched squeal from Cami.
I’m not sure who is having more fun: Cami or us. By the time we make it inside the grocery store, Cami’s face is red from laughing so hard and Lana is beaming.
Damn. I did that.
I’m quick to shake off the minor win before pulling a cart free from the rest.
“No. I want this one.” Cami climbs inside the special kid cart. While the front half of the cart is normal, the back half looks like a kid’s car. Her head touches the top of the car, and her legs look cramped in the small space.
“Are you sure? It looks like a tight fit.”
She turns the wheel like she is on a Formula 1 track versus in a grocery store.
“I see you inherited your mother’s driving skills.”
Lana slaps my ass. “Hey.”
“You did not just…”
Her eyes shimmer. “But I did.” I reach out, but she escapes my grasp with a breathy laugh.
Cami slams her hand on the horn for emphasis. Lana moves to grab the handle of the cart, but I step in before she has a chance.
I turn the cart slowly, being mindful not to jostle Cami. “This thing is heavier than it looks.”
Lana pokes at my straining arms. “Don’t tell me those muscles are just for show.”
