Page 32 of Staying for You

I do my business, wash my hands, then lean over the counter in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. I wince, wishing I’d have spent at least a second of time on getting myself ready before I made the last second decision to come up here and help Owen with the kids. I don’t even know why I did that. Something in me just told me he would need a helping hand. I hadn’t given myself even a moment to feel nervous or second-guess my decision. I just got into my coat and boots and trudged through the deep layer of snow to the lodge.

I shake my head, telling myself to relax. There’s no reason I need to overthink this. Owen was simply being nice, asking if I would stay after I made lunch and watched the kids so he could clear the snow. I blow out a final breath, whisper to myself, “Stop being weird,” then try to tame my hair by running my fingers through it. I splash some cool water on my face, too, hoping to make myself look a little more presentable. It’s not because I’m trying to impress anyone but I’m certainly doing them a favor by making sure I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed.

I hear voices when I exit the bathroom and suck in a breath, pressing a hand to my stomach. “Why am I here? If I could turn back time,” I murmur.

“Would you find your way?” I hear a deep voice ask.

I spin around to see an incredibly handsome man before me, smiling so wide a dimple is showing in his cheek. He has short, cropped dark hair, tan skin, and deep brown eyes.

“What?”

A single eyebrow raises and I want to stare at it. I’ve written that exact mannerism more times than I can count but rarely see it in person. Now I know why people love reading it. “Turn back time… the Cher song?”

I shake my head and laugh. “Big Cher fan, huh?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

He shrugs, smirking. “Nah, I’m just quick to pick up on things. I’m Ethan, Owen’s brother-in-law.” Ethan sticks out a hand for me to shake and I grasp it in mine.

“Cami. Nice to meet you.”

“Same. I hear you helped our boy out this morning so he could clean up the snow and somehow found time to make us lunch.”

I blush, nodding. “It wasn’t any trouble.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Right. I’m very aware of the trouble my son can get into.”

I shake my head in protest. “Promise. He was a perfect angel. Issy was asleep so we just played together. And he helped me make lunch, too.”

“Are you sure you’re talking about my son? He wasn’t into everything?” he asks, doubtful.

“Oh, he was.” I laugh. “But he was good. So, Brody’s yours?” I ask, then feel like an idiot because we just established that. He doesn’t seem to pick up on the stupid question though.

He beams, smiling proudly. “That he is.”

“He’s adorable.”

“Thank you.”

“Cami?” I hear Owen’s voice call.

“She’s here. With me,” Ethan says, grabbing my arm and tugging me behind him to follow him to the living room. “Coming.”

The second we get to the living room, I pull my arm from his hold and stop dead in my tracks. It’s full of models. I’m pretty sure of it. A tall man in glasses is holding Issy, a smile is spread wide across his face as he bends low, nuzzling his nose close to his daughter’s face. A beautiful auburn-haired woman is next to him, leaning in close to pepper her with kisses on her other cheek. A blonde woman is holding Brody. She’s incredibly beautiful also, and has features that remind me of Owen. “Hey.” I lift a hand and wave.

Owen moves to stand next to me, lifting an arm and pointing to everyone. “My pain in the ass sister, Olivia.” He grins down at me when he hears her protest with a “Hey!” but then continues on with the introductions. “My good friend Rex and his wife Chloe, Issy’s parents. And it sounds like you already met Ethan, Liv’s husband. He was my friend before he was hers, but that’s a story for later.” His smile is impish and I chuckle when Olivia and Ethan roll their eyes at the same time as if were perfectly timed and planned. “Everyone, this is Cami. Cami’s from Tennessee and is staying up here for a while.”

Olivia’s eyes narrow on me then widen and I watch as she looks at Chloe, nods her head in my direction, and raises her eyebrows. I’m pretty sure she mouths the words,It’s her. Owen mentioned his sister was a reader and her reaction makes me wonder if she’s read my books before or if she knows who I am.

“Cami?”

I nod my head and move to shake Olivia’s hand but she has other plans. She tugs me close, hugging me to her. I know my eyes are wide when I step back and look at Owen who’s looking at his sister like she’s lost her mind.

“Liv, geesh, don’t scare the poor girl.” He pulls me next to him with his arm around my shoulder, squeezes once, then drops his hand.

“Owen,” she snaps, seemingly annoyed with him. “You didn’t tell me Camilla Moore was staying at The Escape.”

“I… what?”

“Camilla. Moore.” Olivia points to me and I feel a flush creep up my cheeks.

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