“Positive.” Downstairs, the doorbell rang. Cameron patted Jonah’s knee. “Why don’t you go wash your face and come downstairs when you’re ready, okay? I’ll let Mel know what’s going on.”
“And if she doesn’t want me to join…”
“Then I’ll kick her ass to the curb.”
Winking at Jonah, Cameron headed out of the room and down the stairs. She took a moment to compose herself and prepare what she was going to say to Melanie before she opened the door. Cameron ran a hand over the blush pink dress she’d chosen for the evening and reached for the door handle.
Melanie looked stunning on the other side of the door. She had her hair down, which was a rare sight in and of itself. But it was the outfit that had Cameron’s full attention. The black pants fit Melanie as perfectly as a glove, as did the red V-neck top she’dpaired with them. A silver necklace hung just above her cleavage, which made Cameron inadvertently lick her lips.
“Hi,” Cameron dreamily said as she stepped out of the house and closed the door behind her. Melanie pulled her into a hug as she kissed her.
“Hi yourself. Everything okay?” Melanie looked into her eyes, studying them for the answer to her question.
“Yeah, I’m okay. But we hit a little snag tonight.”
Melanie’s eyes instantly looked worried.
“Everything’s okay, I promise. But Eva broke up with Jonah today.”
“What!” Her frustrated anger matched how Cameron felt about the situation. “That bitch.”
“My thoughts exactly. Although I feel like we shouldn’t think that about a sixteen-year-old.”
Melanie chuckled. “Probably not. But how do you fumble Jonah? He’s like the most perfect boyfriend material.”
“Again, my thoughts exactly. But I did grow him from a seed so I may be biased.”
“A seed?” Melanie rolled her eyes. “An egg, sure, but a seed?”
“That’s whyyou’rethe baby nurse and I’m not.” Kissing her again, Cameron felt Melanie wrap her arms around her as she held her close.
“So, Jonah’s joining us for dinner, right?”
If Cameron was butter, she would have melted right there. The love and care Melanie had for her kids was more than Cameron ever could have asked from anyone. And Melanie did it without being asked. Ever since Cameron was pregnant with them, a part of her kids seemed to also belong to Melanie. It was poetic to look back at how everything had happened for a reason.
“He wasn’t sure it would be okay, but I told him it was.”
“Absolutely.” Stepping past Cameron, Melanie opened the front door. “Is he in his room?”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Jonah!” Melanie called out as her voice echoed through the house. “Get your butt down here so we can eat!” She turned her attention to Cameron. “It smells great, by the way, babe.”
“Thanks, it’s the pasta bake you love.”
“With the vodka sauce?”
“Of course. I know what my woman likes.”
“Yeah, you do.” They quickly kissed again, only to be interrupted with Jonah sarcastically groaning.
“Geez, don’t call me down to dinner then start making out.”
Jonah dramatically rolled his eyes as he tried to be cool. But the facade crumbled when Melanie held out her arms to him. He went to her and let her hold him as Cameron’s heart melted and she fell more in love with Melanie than she was five minutes ago. She couldn’t hear what Melanie was whispering to him, but whatever it was made Jonah laugh. And for that, Cameron was thankful.
The three of them ate dinner at the dining room table, complete with the two candles that Cameron had set out earlier. They chatted about Jonah’s hockey practice and his plans for the summer. By the end of the dinner, Jonah seemed back to his happy, goofy self. He helped them clean up the dishes before they all crashed in the living room.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go upstairs so you can be alone?” He looked at both of them as he stood between them and the TV.
