Page 78 of Only in Our Dream
Isla and Vera shared a look as they both grinned and giggled.
“Oh, my god,” Melanie covered her eyes with her hand, “please tell me you didn’t have sex in my bed.”
“We didn’t,” they answered quickly in unison.
“We used the guest bed.” Isla’s comment received a slap on her leg from Vera.
“Isla!” She quickly turned her attention to Melanie. “The sheets are in the wash though, don’t worry.”
“They’re clearly not ones to be worried.” Putting her hand on her hip, Isla pointed the spatula at Melanie and Cameron. “They’re still in last night’s clothes because they didn’t take their overnight bags.”
“We told you to take the bags.”
“And next time we’ll listen,” Cameron winked at Melanie. “Although I have no complaints about last night. Do you?”
“Not at all.” Melanie put her arm around Cameron’s waist as she pulled her into a kiss. It was their first kiss in front of Isla and Vera, but Melanie didn’t care. They were all friends who lacked boundaries as it was. “Last night was perfect.”
“As if we couldn’t tell.” The comment came from Vera, whose smile had softened on her face. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Oh, no,” Isla sighed. “She’s going to cry and hug you now.”
“Hush.” Standing, Vera pulled both Melanie and Cameron into a hug. “I can’t help it that my best friends have finally gotten together and I’m just so damn happy about it. It’s about time.”
“You’re telling us.” Cameron pulled out of the embrace, crossing her arms as she looked at Vera. “And, by the way, we were talking about you earlier. When you first introduced us, what was your plan?”
“Yeah,” Melanie chimed in. “You knew I was married, but insisted Cameron and I go for drinks at the bar together.”
“Vera Louise Mackenzie,” Isla’s Mom Voice was out in full force. “You didn’t.”
Blushing, Vera shrugged her shoulders. “Imighthave. But it was for a good cause. See,” she put an arm around Cameron and Melanie’s shoulders. “Look how perfect they are together.”
“I can’t believe you tried to set them up when Mel wasmarried.”
“I just had a feeling she and Cam would be great together and, as usual, I was right.”
Melanie smiled at Cameron, who was smiling widely back at her. Although it took them a couple of decades to get where they were now, Melanie knew it was the needed path for them to take.
Right indeed, Vera. Right indeed.
Chapter 25
Cameron
Valentine’s Day had never meant much to Cameron over the years. She always got small gifts for her kids to mark the occasion, but that was as far as she went. Cameron didn’t understand the need for paper hearts to adorn every inch of the hospital for what seemed like weeks leading up to the date. After all, she’d told herself it was just a holiday made up by capitalism anyway. It didn’t matter.
But that was all before she started dating Melanie.
With their first Valentine’s Day arriving less than two months into their official relationship, Cameron had no idea what she was supposed to do. Should they make reservations at some fancy restaurant? Should Cameron get a huge bouquet for Melanie? Or maybe chocolates? Or both? She had no clue.
However, since Jonah and Dylan both had plans, that had given Cameron the idea to do a quiet dinner at home with Melanie. Her cooking skills were nothing fancy, but she knew Melanie loved anything Italian. And Cameron knew how to make a damn good pasta bake with vodka sauce that everyone who tried it raved about. Even Melanie had mentioned each timeshe had it over the years that Cameron should bottle the family recipe.
The only bottle Cameron was concerned with now was the bottle of wine on the counter she was eager to enjoy. She’d picked it up on her way home from dropping Dylan off at Mason’s house. Since Isla and Vera had plans for the evening, Mason had offered to take the kids for them all for the evening. Mason had movies and pizza waiting on them, so Cameron knew Dylan would have a great night.
Jonah had plans with his girlfriend, Eva, but he’d been vague as to what those plans were. He’d asked her earlier how long he was allowed to stay out, but Cameron had remained firm that he had to be home by eleven. Even though it would mean she’d need to cut her date with Melanie off by then, it was also a school night for Jonah. On his way home, Jonah was to pick up Dylan so she could get to bed as well.
If he ever left, that was.
After getting home from school, he had immediately disappeared into his room with barely a word to Cameron. It was unusual behavior for Jonah, but Cameron had chalked it up to him being a teenage boy. She’d assumed he was getting ready for his date, so Cameron hadn’t bothered him.
