Cameron hoped Dylan didn’t see the overnight bag sitting on her bed as she exited the room. Vera grabbed it for Cameron as she followed her down the stairs. She’d already prepared a small clutch bag for the night and it was waiting for her on the kitchen table.
Along with Jonah.
He had a goofy grin on his face as he appeared to stay serious, although it was clearly hard for him. He had one hand behind his back, which only caused Cameron to worry about what her goofball son was concealing.
“What are you up to?”
“I just wanted to give you the safe sex talk before your night with Mel.”
“Oh, geez.” Cameron picked up her handbag and playfully hit Jonah’s shoulder with it. “That’s the last thing I need from my teenage son, but thank you for your concern.”
“Then maybe these will be better.” Moving his arm from behind his back, he revealed a beautiful bouquet of red roses. Cameron felt her eyes well up with tears as she crossed the kitchen to hug him.
“Jonah.”
“I wanted you to have something special for tonight and I know how much you love roses.”
Cameron framed his cheeks, fully aware of how she had to stand on her tiptoes even in heels to kiss his forehead. “Thank you, honey. This was so sweet.”
“I got some for Aunt Mel too, but you can give them to her if you want.”
“I’m sure she’d love them coming from you.”
“I just didn’t want to steal your thunder.”
“I don’t think your mom is going to have any issue with that,” Vera smirked.
The doorbell rang, causing the three of them to look at the front door. As Cameron was about to walk toward it, she was passed by Jonah nearly running to the door with the roses. She watched as Jonah opened the door. Although she couldn’t see Melanie, she could hear their interaction.
“Mom wanted me to give you these.”
“Aww, Jonah, thank you. That’s so sweet.”
Cameron’s heart fluttered at the sound of Melanie’s voice.
God, why am I so nervous? This isn’t some random person I’m going out with. It’s Melanie. My best friend Melanie. Melanie who has already seen me naked at least twice before, even if that was during childbirth. Why am I so nervous about this date?
All the worries in her head ceased as Melanie entered the house.
The black dress Melanie had on was one Cameron had never seen before. It had long sleeves that stopped just short of her wrists, a neckline that teased Cameron just enough, and came to just above her knees. She’d paired the dress with black boots, the ones she’d purchased with Cameron a few years ago on a girls’ trip to New York with the Mackenzies. The simple silver necklace around her neck matched the bracelet on her wrist, and Cameron tried to get her mouth to sayanythingto compliment her.
Instead, all she could muster was, “Hi.”
“You look beautiful, Cam.”
“You do, too.”
They came together slowly, as if moving too fast would shatter the moment. Cameron was aware that both Vera and Jonah were undoubtedly watching them, so she skipped the kiss and went into a hug. She nuzzled her neck against Melanie’s which was made easier by the fact Melanie had her hair pulled back.
“I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
“Finally,” Melanie pulled back enough to see Cameron’s eyes. She could tell by the gleam in her eyes exactly what was about to happen.
Their lips came together softly and only for a moment, but it gave Cameron the perfect preview of what was to come.
“Aw, come on,” Vera teased, “you can do better than that.”
“Yeah, for real,” Jonah joined in as Cameron felt herself blushing.
