Chapter 28

twenty-eight

Twenty-six hours later, the elevator doors opened twenty-four stories above downtown Seattle as Cam let Brady out of the car before him.

" Wow !" Brady's gaze darted around the upscale space where thriving plants and gorgeous furnishings complemented the massive windows and excellent views. "This is where Fiona makes her parties?"

Cam nodded, pulling their rolling carry-on behind him as they walked on premium-quality herringbone laminate to the black marble desk. "Stay right next to me. And we have to use our indoor voices."

Brady beamed, still buzzing with excitement after hours of travel, including a couple of significant delays. "Okay."

The pretty blonde wearing a black power suit looked from Cam to Brady and back as she sat in her fancy leather chair, sending Cam a polite smile. "Can I help you?"

"Hi." He sent her his best grin, well aware that he wouldn't get anywhere if Laurier Group's gatekeeper didn't like him. The fact that he and Brady were both dressed in athletic shorts and T-shirts in such a swank setting didn't rack up any points in their favor. "I'm hoping you can let Fiona Willis know that Cam and Brady are here."

The woman raised her brow. "Is she expecting you?"

Cam shook his head. "It's sort of a surprise."

The woman looked at her computer screen. "Fiona's currently in a meeting. I'm not sure how long she'll be."

His shoulders relaxed a little. Because at least she was here. "We can wait."

"When you wait, you have to be patient," Brady piped up. "Right, Dad?"

"That's right."

"We flew on a plane all the way to Seattle," Brady told the woman. "I chewed gum so my ears wouldn't pop, and I got to go pee in the plane toilet. The water was blue."

Cam cringed as the woman laughed. "Let's not talk about bathroom business right now."

Brady looked at Cam. "Because it's not polite?"

He nodded. "Exactly. Bathroom business is supposed to be private."

The woman grinned at Brady. "You're a cutie."

Brady nodded. "Yeah."

The woman chuckled.

"He struggles with confidence," Cam said as he scratched his jaw, aware that Brady's charm would get them through the door.

The woman beamed. "You two can take a seat right over there. I doubt Fiona will be much longer."

Cam smiled again. "Thanks."

Brady looked toward the posh modern couch barely big enough for both of them and the two equally small and swanky chairs. "We can sit on the couch?"

"You can," the woman said.

Brady hurried over to plunk himself in the center cushion. "This is comfy ."

The woman chuckled again.

Cam sat next to him, hoping Brady wouldn't fall asleep while they waited. They'd been up since the early morning to make their Boston-based flight. He hadn't dared to stop at the hotel before they saw Fiona because it was only a matter of time before his little boy crashed and burned.

He let his leg bounce up and down as he stared out at the insane number of buildings surrounding them in the West Coast sunshine, acknowledging the nerves currently wreaking havoc in his stomach. Just because he and Brady were here didn't mean much of anything . Mostly, he needed Fi to talk to him instead of shutting him out.

Exhaling a long breath, he glanced at his watch as a door opened down the hall. He rushed to his feet when Fiona stepped out, looking gorgeous but different in a pair of fitted black slacks, a white V-neck blouse, and a pair of black heels as she spoke to the blond man in the fancy duds whom he knew to be Leo.

"Fiona," Brady yelled as he scrambled off the couch and ran down the hall.

Fiona whirled as her big brown eyes grew wide with unmistakable shock. "Brady," she said, crouching down to receive his enthusiastic hug. "You're here." She clung to him just as tightly as he did to her.

Cam swallowed, holding her watery gaze as he moved their way, relieved that she didn't appear unhappy to see them.

"You're here," she repeated.

Brady eased back, beaming as he touched Fi's long hair. "You smell like you, and you look beautiful."

"Aw," she said as she grinned, making those irresistible dimples pop. "Thank you, buddy."

"Are you surprised that we flew on a plane?"

She nodded. "I am."

"I got to pee into the blue water in the plane toilet, but I'm not supposed to tell you that because bathroom business is private."

Fiona huffed out a laugh as she hugged him again. "I missed you."

Brady returned her embrace. "I missed you, too." Then he eased back, touching Fi's diamond earring. "I made a picture with sad faces on it when I was at day camp, so we got to come here to see you. Dad's sad, too. Right, Dad?"

Cam nodded when Fiona looked at him again. "Yeah."

She stood now, holding Brady's hand when he grabbed hers, shaking her head as she looked at Leo, who still stood among their small group. "Um, introductions. Leo Fitzpatrick, this is Cam Bennet. And Brady. Cam and Brady, this is Leo."

Cam shook Leo's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, man."

Leo nodded. "You too."

"You look different when you're not on the computer," Brady told Leo. "I've never seen your legs before right now."

Leo grinned. "I walk on them every day."

Brady nodded. "I walk on mine, too. Sometimes I run, though."

Leo chuckled. "Me too."

Fiona slid her hair behind her ear with an unmistakably jittery hand as she looked at Cam again, sending him an overly bright smile. "I should— Let me head down to my office and grab my stuff."

Cam nodded, knowing she needed a minute. Because Fi was one hundred percent flustered. "Sure."

She looked at Brady as she gently pulled her hand from his. "I'll be right back."

Fiona hurried to her office, pressing her hand to her thundering heart as she stared out at the city. Cam and Brady were actually here . Never in a million years did she expect to walk out of her meeting and find them waiting down the hall.

"Oh God," she whispered, having no idea what she was supposed to do . She was as happy to see them as she was afraid because she had no idea what any of this meant.

Was this just a quick visit because Brady was unhappy? Would they spend a couple of days here in the city and then say goodbye again?

"Fi?"

She whirled, staring at Cam standing in her doorway, looking all muscular and gorgeous in a pair of black athletic shorts and a white T-shirt. "Hi," she said lamely.

He moved her way, stopping before her by the windows. "I'm sorry we showed up like this. I didn't know what else to do."

She shook her head. "It's fine."

He hesitated before he pulled her against him, wrapping her up in his strong arms. "I've missed you, Fi."

Closing her eyes, she returned his embrace, breathing in Cam's familiar scent. "I've missed you, too."

Easing back, he skimmed his knuckles along her cheek. "You didn't have to leave."

She nodded, fighting the urge to lean into his touch as she stared into his hypnotic green eyes. "Yes, I did."

He sighed. "I know this isn't great timing with the wedding coming up, but I'm hoping we might have a chance to talk?—"

"Are you two going to kiss like you did when you were special friends," Brady interrupted.

Fiona huffed out a laugh as Cam smiled. He turned toward his son as Brady stood in the doorway with Leo by his side. "I don't think so, buddy."

Leo lifted his hand in a wave. "I have some stuff to do. It was nice to finally meet you in person, Cam. And you, too, Brady."

"Same," Cam said.

"Fi, call me later," Leo added before he disappeared down the hall.

Cam gave Fiona his attention. "We'll get out of your way. Brady's had a long day. I just wanted to let you know that we're here."

Brady's brow furrowed as he hurried over to Fiona, wrapping his arms around her. "Are we going to your house in the sky?"

She stroked her fingers through Brady's hair as he clung to her. "You can. We can. I have a spare room at the condo."

Cam shook his head. "I already reserved a room a couple of blocks from here. I don't want to put you out."

"You're not." She awkwardly moved to her desk while Brady held on to her. "We can order something in before Brady goes to bed. I know it's getting late on the East Coast."

Cam shook his head again. "We grabbed something at the airport, but you're welcome to get yourself whatever you want."

Brady let Fiona go to study the liquid motion sand art in a frame on the corner of her desk. "I had grilled chicken nuggets, French fries that looked like waffles, and applesauce. Plus, Dad and me shared a chocolate milkshake."

She put her laptop in her bag, shouldering the strap. "That sounds tasty."

Brady nodded as he held out his hand to her. "We can hold hands so you don't go away again."

She sighed as she glanced at Cam, taking hold of Brady's little hand. Then she smiled at the sweet boy whom she'd been desperate to see for the past ten days. "Should we go to my house in the sky?"

Brady beamed. "Yeah!"