Given what he knew about her idiot ex, Cameron wasn’t surprised. Still, it felt insensitive to say so aloud. His mother and aunts apparently didn’t have the same qualms about niceties, because they all launched into emotionally charged rants about everything from Aiden’s character to his ridiculous tribal tattoo. Cameron couldn’t really seehow that was helpful, but he had to smile at their show of solidarity.
Yet, in spite of all their descriptive threats toward Aiden’s person, no one managed to sum up the general sense of loathing more succinctly than Asher.
“Fuck him,” he said, speaking for the first time since the subject had been broached. Sliding into the circle of teary-eyed females, he pulled Natalie to him and held her hard against his chest as he stroked her hair. “You don’t need him, Nat. You’re not alone.”
“No, you’re not,” Aunt Nora promised. “We’re all here for you.”
“You’ve got this,” Asher murmured against the top of Natalie’s head. “You are going to be a badass mom.”
If Cameron hadn’t already been head-over-ass in love with the guy, seeing his sister’s face light up at Asher’s words would have sealed the deal.
“How far along are you?” Aunt Kelly asked, her usual briskness absent.
Natalie shook her head. “I’m not sure.” Her eyebrows drew together, and she lifted one shoulder in a tiny shrug. “I just found out last week, and I haven’t been to a doctor yet. Probably not more than six weeks or so.”
“Don’t worry,” their mother said, patting Natalie on the shoulder. “We’ll find you an excellent doctor. Everything will be fine.”
“Don’t tell dad yet,” Natalie said in a small voice. “I want to tell him myself.”
“Of course, but don’t wait too long.”
Natalie smiled at their mother and bobbed her head. “I’ll tell him tonight. I promise.”
Then, they were off discussing all things baby again. There were a lot of words Cameron didn’t understand, but he occasionally caught things like “ultrasound,” “nursery,” and “preschool.” At the rate they were going, they would have the kid’s entire future planned out before dessert.
Since he didn’t have anything to add to the conversation, he took Asher’s hand and led him out of the kitchen and into the front hallway where they could have a moment of privacy. Once he was sure no one had followed them, he rose up on his toes, arching into a soft, gentle kiss that had nothing to do with desire.
“Not that I’m complaining,” Asher said around a smile when Cameron pulled away, “but what was that for?”
Cameron hesitated. For loving his sister? For giving her hope? For having the right words when Cameron hadn’t? Just for being there at all? There were so many things he wanted to say, yet words didn’t seem to be enough. So, after some thought, he settled on the simplest answer, the one that didn’t require much explanation.
“Because I love you.”
Asher’s eyes widened, and he actually took half a step back before catching himself. “Shit,” he swore when herealized his reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed. “I’m sorry. I love you, too. I do. I just—”
“It’s okay.” Cameron laughed, completely unoffended. “It’s new and a little scary right now.” Closing the distance, he kissed Asher’s lips again, just as chaste and sweet as the first time. “It’ll get easier.” He wasn’t above using the situation to his advantage, however. “If you want to make it up to me, you can tell me what kind of cake you brought.”
Asher tilted his head. “It’s chocolate.”
Cameron didn’t roll his eyes, but it was a near thing. “Yes, but you drove all the way to McKinney to get it. There has to be a reason.” The pink stain that crept into Asher’s cheeks only fueled his curiosity. “What did you do?”
“It’s not a big deal.”
Now, hereallywanted to know. “Asher…”
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “At the Halloween party, your mom mentioned that the pecan brownies reminded her of this cake your dad used to get her for her birthday.”
Cameron remembered it well. It was a delicious cross between a triple fudge cake and a gooey pecan pie. “That place closed down years ago.”
Asher nodded, his face turning even redder. “Yeah, but I managed to track down the former owner. She’s working at this bakery in McKinney now.” He shoved hishands deep into his pockets and shrugged. “That cake isn’t on their menu, but she still had the recipe.”
Not only had he remembered an off-handed comment his mother had made weeks ago, but he’d actually found the damn cake. His mother was going to be over the freaking moon about it. Cameron wouldn’t be surprised if she claimed it for herself and didn’t share a single slice with anyone.
“You got my mom a cake?” He coughed to clear the roughness from his voice. “That’s really sweet.”
“It’s not a big deal,” Asher repeated.
But it was. He hadn’t done it to score points with Cameron’s mom. He hadn’t tracked down that owner and insisted she make the cake because he wanted praise or recognition. He’d done it for no other reason than to make Sarah happy.
