Page 31 of Wild and Wrangled

I was worried about just showing up, especially if Riley was there. But it’s not like I’d stay. I just wanted to say, “Hey, this isn’t weird”—even though it was weird—and then leave.

That was all.

I looked down at the stack of three wooden cutting boards that my mom had given me the other day. A housewarming gift, she said.

This didn’t have to be a big deal. I’d bring over a gift from my mom. Cam liked my mom. She liked me, too, I think, but I think she hated that she liked me, which was complicated.

I dragged a hand down my face.Get it together, Tucker.

Whatever. I grabbed the cutting boards and went out my front door. It was warm in my little house, so the cold air was a shock to the system.

A good shock. A much-needed shock.

I was just going to go over there, give her the cutting boards, break the metaphorical ice, and then go back home.

When I got to her door, I didn’t even pause. I didn’t want to lose my nerve, so I quickly knocked.

I heard music coming through the walls and onto the porch, but I couldn’t tell what it was. A few seconds later, I heard footsteps making their way toward me. When the door swung open, I had to pretend that I didn’t feel like the wind had just been knocked out of me.

Cam looked perfect in a light blue sweatshirt, black leggings, and a familiar pair of dark gray wool socks that I clocked immediately. I didn’t mind even a little bit that I’d never get them back.

“Oh,” she said, blinking slowly. “Hi.”

“Hey,” I said. “I, um, thought we could get this part over with.”

“What part?”

“You know, the ‘we live on the same property but have spent the last year avoiding each other’ part,” I said. Even though I never avoided her, but it didn’t feel like the right time to bring that up.

Cam nodded slowly. “And what are those?” she asked, nodding toward the stack of wooden cutting boards in my hands.

“Housewarming gifts,” I said. “From my mom,” I added quickly.

“Oh,” she said. “That’s, um, that’s nice.” Cam fiddled with her hands. I looked at them—no engagement ring. I couldfeel the hope monster climbing up my throat. I really had to get that under control. “Do you—do you want to come in?”

Did I? “Sure,” I said. “Yeah.”

Cam stepped to the side, and I walked into the house. There were boxes and plastic storage bins everywhere.

“Where’s Riley?” I asked—there was no sign of Cam’s mini-me anywhere.

“She’s with her dad tonight,” Cam said as she led me back to the kitchen. “I thought it might be an easier adjustment period if I had everything set up for her when she got here.”

“And how’s that going?” I asked.

Cam huffed a laugh. “Wes and Brooks had to take her bed apart to get it here, and I told them I could put it back together. Plot twist: I can’t.”

“Do you want me to give it a try?” I said. “I’m pretty good with beds.” I didn’t intend to make the joke, but I couldn’tnottake the opportunity.

“Shut up,” Cam said, giving my shoulder a little shove. “You don’t have any plans?”

“Just bringing you these cutting boards,” I said, holding them up. Cam took them from me and set them on the kitchen table.

“These are beautiful,” she said. “Like, they would be at least a hundred dollars at Williams-Sonoma. Will you tell Aggie thank you for me?”

I nodded. “Sure thing. She’ll make you a thousand more if you want them.”

“She’s always been so good to me,” Cam said thoughtfully. “She was with me when I found out I was pregnant, you know.”

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