Hard not to be when pessimism is practically a default setting for me on some days.
“So, you do like him?” She punctuates her question with a few air kisses, making me laugh.
“Of course.”
“Me too.” She grins.
“You do?” Her answer doesn’t surprise me, but it’s nice to get confirmation, especially after everything that happened with Victor.
“Yes. He’s nicer than Victor. He listens to me and likes to ask me questions and doesn’t make me feel like I bother him.” The confession rushes out of her.
I try my hardest to keep my emotions in check. It’s nearly impossible, especially with Cami bringing up Victor. It’s my fault she was ever put in a situation where a man would treat her as anything less than a princess.
Never again.
I tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “I think he’s a lot nicer than Victor too.”
“And he makes you laugh and smile.”
My brows rise. “I’ve always laughed and smiled.”
“Yeah, but you do it a lot more now.”
I’m at a loss for words. It’s such a simple observation on Cami’s part, but it is one that makes my entire chest ache.
Cami pops the bubble of emotion building in my chest with a random question, proving that six-year-old kids truly have the attention span of a puppy.
“Can I have a bedtime story now?”
I go along with Cami’s request, although her comment sticks with me long after she falls asleep.
Cal found his way into my bed while I was busy with Cami. I crawl under the sheets and snuggle against him, although I’m completely ignored as he continues reading his book. His look of concentration draws a soft chuckle from me.
He makes you laugh and smile.
Cal makes me do a lot more than that. He makes me want to have fun, enjoy life, and dream in a way I have long since forgotten over the years. Even with the odds stacked against us, he makes me want to believe we can work out.
But most of all, he makes me want to trust him. To fall in love once again.
With him.
41
CAL
Sun rays peek through the sides of the blackout curtains, basking Lana in an early morning glow. If I could, I would spend the whole morning here with her. Sneaking out of the bedroom before Cami wakes up is pure torture. Like every cell in my body is protesting against moving, making each step away from her impossible.
“I should go before Cami wakes up.” Even though Cami caught us kissing, we don’t want her to assume anything else is going on. I look forward to the day that I don’t have to sneak around my own place, hiding my feelings because of a six-year-old kid.
Lana’s only reply is to burrow deeper into my chest.
I try to untangle her limbs from mine, but she holds on.
“What if we told her?” she mumbles against my chest.
“Told her what?”
“That we’re dating.”
I pause. “Is that what you want?”
“She’s starting to ask me questions anyway.”
“Like what?”
“She wanted to know when she is going to get a baby sister.”
I choke on my inhale. “What?”
She peeks up at me. “Do you not want kids?”
“Of course I do.” Spending time around Cami made me realize just how fun children can be.
“Are you sure? You’re going to have to invest in a lot more swear jars.” A smile tugs at her lips.
“I better stock up on some hundreds then.”
She smiles in a way that not only reaches her eyes but her soul.
I can’t resist kissing her in that moment. To steal a little bit of that happiness for myself.
“Mommy!”
One second, I’m lying flat on the bed. The next, Lana shoves me off the mattress with an inhuman amount of strength that I never thought she possessed.
I land on the floor with an oomph. “Fuck.”
She peeks over the edge with wide eyes. “Oh my God. Are you okay? I’m so sorry!”
I lift my hand and give her a thumbs-up.
The knob rattles before Cami comes barreling in. “Morning!”
Lana intercepts her before she catches me hiding. “Whoa there. Look at your hair! Let’s go do something about it before breakfast.”
The door shuts behind them with a soft click, leaving me alone, wondering how the hell I’m going to survive sneaking around for much longer.
Outside of visiting Rowan’s house at the back of the Dreamland property for a company Christmas party, I have pretty much avoided the park since my mother passed, so Cami’s first experience at the park might as well be mine too.
Our first stop is at the Magic Wand Salon. Beauty chairs and fancy vanity mirrors make up one side of the salon while the other half is an entire store designed like a princess’s closet. Hundreds of girls sift through the racks, riffling through ballgown dresses and accessories fit for royalty.
Cami takes off toward the shop, leaving Lana and me behind with Rowan and Zahra. Compared to my brother’s plain navy suit, Zahra wears a bright yellow dress that complements the brown tones of her skin and hair.
“Cal!” Zahra throws her arms around me.
Lana looks at the two of us with raised brows.
I clear my throat. “Hey. Long time no see.”
“Iris and I have missed you at the last couple of brunches. This one is a complete bore.” She nods in Rowan’s direction. Rowan glares at her, which only makes Zahra beam.
“Is this Alana?” Zahra’s brown eyes glitter as she checks out Lana.
I introduce the two of them.
Zahra pulls Lana into a hug. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You have?”
Zahra pulls away. “Oh, yeah. Get a few mimosas in Cal’s system and he won’t stop talking about you.”
My cheeks heat. Lana stiffens, the muscles in her back going rigid.
“Mimosas?” She glances up at me, a storm brewing behind her eyes.
“I’m not sure there will be many more mimosas in my future.” I offer Zahra a tight smile.
Rowan, sensing the need for a topic change, thank God, offers his hand to Lana. “Nice to see you again after all this time.”
She shakes it with a wrinkled nose. “Ugh. Still stuffy as ever, Galahad.”
Zahra’s wide eyes bounce between Lana and my brother. “She knows your middle name?”
“Oh, I know a lot more than that.” Lana laughs.
Rowan blushes, and it’s quite the sight. I wish I got it on camera solely for future entertainment purposes.
Zahra leans forward. “I’d love nothing more than to pick your brain and learn all about baby Rowan.”
My brother shoots me a look. “Tell your girlfriend I can revoke those VIP passes as quickly as I handed them out.”
“I’m standing right here, so feel free to tell me yourself.” Lana waves with a small smile.
Damn. Getting turned on by Lana putting my brother in his place is a new level of fucked up, and I’m dying for more of it. Even Rowan’s eyes glitter at her comment. If there is anything my brother respects more than submission, it’s those willing to stand up to him when he is wrong.