Page 15 of Almost Love

What my husband failed to tell you is that we’d like to do a family call this weekend to give you all the news.

Callum

Right, I hit enter too fast.

Mama

But is it a baby?

Camden

Jeez, Ma. Family call.

Dad

How does Sunday work for everyone?

Sandra

Sunday is great, August. Thank you.

Mama

That’s days away!

Callum

Cam? Tiny? Would love to have you two part of the call.

Camden

Ugh, fine.

Clementine

Let me know what time, I’ll be there.

Mama

You better answer when I call, Callum James Kinney.

Camden

You have zero chill, Mama.

Mama

Mamas don’t need chill.

She snorted at the last text, because she couldhearher mother say it. She’d been saying that for years, because Renu Kinney genuinely did not know how to chill. She was the best mother in the world, but she was high-strung. The minute her older brother, Callum, got married she’d been not so subtly hinting at babies. Now with this update, she was going to be spiraling.

Getting to her feet, she decided to cut her losses and head out, so that she wasn’t too late. She carried the large boxes that were set on the kitchen counters two at a time to her truck parked in the back. Once she’d stacked them carefully so they wouldn’t tip over, Clementine returned to the shop just as the bell above the main door chimed. Frowning, she cursed herself for not locking up first, and hurried to the front. A loud gasping sound reached her and she stopped at the sight of Oakley bent at the waist, breathing heavily.

“I’msosorry,” he said as he panted, one hand on his chest. He straightened up and she hated how the first thing her brain registered was: he’s so handsome. His jeans, hoodie and ball cap were all the same shade of dark blue, his wireframe glasses were slightly fogged up and even through the lenses, she could see the dark circles under his eyes. He pulled off his cap and dragged his tattooed hand through the messy blond strands.

So handsome.

“I wanted to be here on Monday, but it’s been a ridiculous week.” He was still breathing heavily and she held her hands up in a calm down gesture so he would relax. “I’m really sorry, Clementine.”

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