Page 52 of My One and Only

“Of course I can. What do you want to read?”

Fiona slid off the kitchen chair and ran to the bookcase that held children’s books. She came back clutching a paperback and handed it to Jo.

On the cover, five big-eyed cats perched on a tree branch, and Jo smiled. “Catwings Return,” she said, running her hand over the cover. “I loved this book when I was your age. Let’s go sit on the couch while we read it.”

Fiona clasped the book to her chest. “It’s my favorite. I have all of them.”

“I did, too,” Jo said, beaming at Fiona. “I’m excited to read it again.”

They were halfway through the book when Cam appeared in the living room. “Catwings Returns,” he said when he saw the book.

“Jo read Catwings when she was a little girl,” Fiona informed him. “It was her favorite, too.”

“Is that right?”Cam said with a tight smile.

Jo saw disapproval in Cam’s gaze, and she wondered why. “Why don’t you find a bookmark forCatwingsReturnsand put it back?”she said to Fiona. “We can finish it later.”

“Okay,” Fiona said, sliding off the couch.

“How do you feel?”she asked Cam. “Were you able to sleep?”

“Like a log,” he said. “And I feel better. My head doesn’t hurt as much. I feel almost human again.”

“That’s great,” she said. “Why don’t you spend some time with Fiona while I get dinner going?”

Without waiting for him to answer, she went into the kitchen and started the oven. Covered the mac and cheese with aluminum foil and slid it into the oven. She set a timer, then went to work chopping up the broccoli. She’d rarely cooked for anyone but herself, and she smiled at the thought that she, Cam and Fiona would eat this meal together.

An hour later, they sat down at the kitchen table, each of them with a plate of mac and cheese and roasted broccoli. When they were finished, Cam slung his arm over Fiona’s shoulders and said, “Say goodnight to Ms.Jo, Fiona. I’ll help you with your bath, then we’ll read a book before bed.”

Fiona ran over and hugged her waist. “Goodnight, Ms.Jo. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll be here, Fiona. Sleep tight.” She saw Cam’s scowl and wondered what that was about.

The girl dashed down the hall to the bathroom, and Jo dropped onto the couch. Fiona was a sweet kid, and Jo had enjoyed spending time with her. She tilted her head back on the couch, and her eyes fluttered closed.

She startled awake when someone sat on the couch beside her. Shooting up, Jo looked around wildly. Calmed when she saw Cam beside her.

“Thank you for helping Fiona with her homework, then reading to her afterward,” he said, but his voice was cool. Stiff. “I appreciate it.”

Jo swiveled on the couch so she was facing him. “Is she asleep?”she asked.

“Yeah. She was asleep before she hit the bed. Big day today,” he said.

His voice was still cool. Controlled. And when Jo studied his face, she saw hints of anger.

“What are you pissed off about?”she asked him.

“Who said I’m pissed?”

She leaned back, drew a deep breath and resisted rolling her eyes. “How long have I known you, Cam?” He didn’t answer, but a muscle ticked in his jaw.

“I know your tells,” She said. “They’re no different than they were in high school. So don’t tell me you’re not pissed off.”

“Fiona was talking to you like you were a long-lost friend. Like you’d been buddies for years.”

“What?” Jo reared back. “You’re pissed off because I was trying to beniceto Fiona?”

“She’s going to get attached to you. And when you leave, she’ll be devastated.”

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