The Stubborn Suitor, Book 2 (The Stubborn Suitor #2)(10)

“She’s good. We stayed at my mother’s last night, since I got back so late. Then we all went to brunch this morning, then to the park. She’s had quite a day.”

“Sounds like it,” Drew replied with a laugh. “I haven’t had nearly as exciting of a day. I spent the morning doing paperwork, now I’m returning emails.”

“Sounds boring,” Cami offered.

“It is,” Drew replied. “But at least I’m talking to you, so that’s something, at least.”

Cami didn’t know how to respond. She was flattered, but still unsure.

“I had a lot of fun last night,” Drew said after a moment of silence.

“Me, too,” Cami agreed, thankful that Drew couldn’t see the goofy smile on her face.

“So…does that mean you would be interested in seeing me again?” he asked.

That was the problem. Cami had agreed to last night’s date because she’d told herself it was just a bit of fun—that she wouldn’t get attached. After last night, Cami knew that wasn’t possible.

On paper, Drew seemed absolutely perfect. He was rich and handsome, sweet and funny. And, most perfect of all, he wanted a family. But in reality, he was unpredictable and unreliable, and moving any further in the relationship would mean Cami would end up heartbroken.

“I don’t know,” she said after a moment. She could hear Drew deflate over the phone.

“But,” he began, “I thought you had a good time yesterday. You said you’d give me a chance, and I thought I made it up to you.”

“Last night was great, Drew. It really was. But, like I’ve said before, I’m not really looking for anything casual. And I don’t really know if a relationship with you is a good idea.”

“Why not?” Drew asked.

“I’m just not sure,” Cami replied. “I know that’s not much of an answer, and I’m sorry. But I just need a little more time. Give me a day or two to think it over, okay? Just a few days.”

“Okay,” Drew replied. “I really hope you decide to see me again, Cami.”

“I’ll let you know, Drew,” she said before hanging up the phone.

She sat in silence for the rest of Madison’s nap, deep in thought. Things had just become much more complicated. Drew seemed like he really wanted things to become serious, but could she be in a relationship with someone if she was always waiting for something unexpected to happen? She just wasn’t sure.

Thankfully, Madison woke up not too long afterwards, pulling Cami from her thoughts. It was almost impossible to be contemplative with a three-year-old in the house. So Cami spent the rest of her weekend ignoring the Drew dilemma as well as the impending custody battle and simply enjoying life with her daughter.

Monday was extremely slow in the ER, leaving Cami, Maggie, and Ashley loitering at the nurses’ station with nothing to do. After Maggie finished telling the girls about her exciting weekend in New York City, she turned to Cami.

“So,” she said, her face turning serious. “How was the meeting?”

Cami didn’t even have to ask in order to know exactly what meeting she was talking about. It must have shown on her face, because Maggie responded without waiting for an answer.

“That bad, huh?”

“Yeah,” Cami said, struggling to be positive so she didn’t break into tears at work. “The meeting itself was awkward. Ken and I didn’t say one word to each other. And Natalie was there.”

“Ugh…why?” At least Maggie looked appropriately upset by that news.

“No clue. And they were holding hands the entire time and were all lovey-dovey.”

Ashley made an angry noise, shaking her head.

“Sam brought his new girlfriend to some of the divorce hearings too. I think he was just trying to intimidate me.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s what Ken was doing,” Cami replied. “And, afterwards, he called me all warm and friendly like.”

“That’s weird,” Ashley said.

“I thought so, too,” Cami agreed. “Until I realized he was trying to talk me into backing down and giving up primary custody of Madison without a fight.”

“That bastard,” Maggie proclaimed a little too loudly. One of the doctors looked at them funny and the girls couldn’t help but giggle before turning serious again.

“Maybe he’s doing all of this because he knows he can’t actually win in court,” Ashley offered.

“Yeah, that’s what Drew said.”

The words were out of Cami’s mouth before she could stop them, and she saw Maggie’s eyes grow wide. Oh well, she thought. She’d been debating asking Maggie for advice anyway, so she might as well spill.

“Who’s Drew?” Ashley asked before Maggie could speak.

“Drew is the guy I was telling you about,” Maggie said, giving Ashley a nudge.

Cami raised her eyebrows questioningly at the mention of the two other women discussing her private life without her, but it wasn’t like she could be critical. She and Maggie had talked about Ashley’s love life—or lack thereof since her divorce—plenty of times. So she let Maggie continue.

“You know, the guy she had a torrid affair with at my parents’ beach house,” Maggie said.