He was enjoying her company. Affection burst through her, and relief. But she didn’t want to push. She’d have to do this in layers with him, so she dipped into the bag for a few chips, then moved to the door. “Don’t work too hard.”

“Whoa there, Tiger. Hold up.”

Slowly, she turned back. His hair was still wild, his sleeves still shoved up, but he no longer looked so frustrated.

Still sexy though. Still very sexy.

“That’s it?” he asked. “You came just to corrupt me with food?”

“What else would you like?” she asked very softly.

He let out a low breath and pushed to his feet. Stopping a hairbreadth away, he shook his head. “Actually, I don’t have a clue.”

“That’s okay.” She smiled as her heart tightened just a little. “Maybe it’ll come to you.”

He stroked a finger over her jaw. “Maybe.”

She felt like turning her cheek into his touch. Or stepping closer to his body. She forced herself to remain still. “See ya,” she whispered.

His mouth quirked. His dimple made another appearance. “See ya.”

The official news came at the end of the week. In compliance with the fire department, the warehouse fire had been ruled an accident by the insurance company.

To celebrate, Summer took Camille to lunch at an old favorite, the Blues Café, where the music was excellent, the food more excellent, and it was impossible not to relax.

When they were done, Camille hugged Summer tight. There on the warm sidewalk with the scent of the ocean all around them and the welcoming feel of her mom’s arms around her, Summer thought this wasn’t a bad place to be at all.

“That was a lovely good-bye lunch,” Camille said when she pulled back. “Thank you.”

Summer blinked. “Good-bye?”

“Well, we have a ruling now, right? The report is just a formality, and due any day.”

Ah, she got it. With the report, she was free to go. And she couldn’t wait. Really, she couldn’t. But her thoughts raced as they walked along the noisy, crowded sidewalk. Before they got in the car, she grabbed her mom’s hand. “Mom? I need to say something.”

Camille smiled softly. “I already know.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You love me.”

“Yes, I do, very much, but that’s not what I was going to say.” She sucked in a big breath. “I’m sorry I left the way I did all those years ago, that I wasn’t there for you…I’m sorry I disappointed you.”

Camille put a hand to her heart and shook her head. “I don’t want you to be sorry—”

“But I am. I’m so damned sorry, Mom.”