Free Love Songs by MG Braden Page A

kitchen chair backwards.
    How could anyone forget? “I think so. You
used to go to our high school, didn’t you?” Ha, that ought to show him. He
probably thinks the world revolves around him. She knew she wasn’t exactly
being fair to him because he really had always been a good guy.
Still, maybe ten years out of high school with real women hitting
on him had made him arrogant. It could happen.
    She saw Jake arch an eyebrow at
her. Her brother knew that she was just pretending not to remember
Cam, because he had forever been answering her questions about him
in high school. She just hoped he didn’t give her away. Uh-huh, big
brother. You owe me. She shook her head.
    “Yeah. I went to your high school. I think
we met a few times.” When he smiled she thought he looked rather
like the Cheshire Cat, but his voice gave nothing away. She wasn’t
sure whether he was being sarcastic or not.
    She cocked her head sideways and
tried to x-ray him with her eyes. And why not, he was
gorgeous . Who
would it hurt if she looked a little more? “Oh, of course. I’m so sorry. It’s been such a
long time. What are you up to now?” Madison knew she wasn’t fooling
anyone with her little game, but still it made her feel in control,
and that’s the way she liked things.
    “I’ve come home to take care of my dad’s
estate and take over the business. At least for a little
while.”
    She noticed that he hadn’t sat
down until she did. Still the gentleman. Damn, couldn’t he at least be mean? Then, just as quickly as the
next thought. What did he just say? Oh, man. I am so lame.
    “Oh, Cam. I’m so sorry. I did read about his
passing. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” She was ashamed of
herself for playing little head games when the poor guy had just
lost his father. All to make her feel like she had the upper
hand.
    “It’s okay. We hadn’t been close the last
few years because he didn’t like my career choice. This came as a
complete shock. I just wish we’d been able to talk before...” Cam
closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Anyway, I hear
you are doing really well these days. Good for you. I may have to
get pointers on running a business. I don’t have a clue.” He
brought the bottle to his lips and tipped the beer back.
    Madison almost groaned. That had
to be the sexiest thing ever. Get a grip, girl. It’s not like you haven’t seen a
man drink beer before. What are you, a horny teenager?
    At twenty-four she was definitely no longer
a teenager, but with running her own business and the weird hours
she kept, it was hard to have dates, let alone hot dates. Most guys
wanted to stay up past nine p.m. and that’s when she needed to be
in bed at least six nights a week. She got up at four in the
morning to start baking for deliveries and service that started at
seven.
    “Sure. If I can help out, I’d be glad
to.”
    “Daddy!” Kayla ran into the room and
launched herself at Jake, who pulled her up into his lap. She
smiled shyly at Cam. “Hi.”
    “Hi.” Cam said. “Who might you be?”
    “I’m Princess Kayla.” She answered in her
most regal voice.
    “Oh, I see. I guess you really must be a
princess if you have a queen for an auntie.”
    He’s even good with kids.
Be still my heart.
    ***
    Cam had been hanging out at Jake’s house all
afternoon. He should have gone home hours ago, but he was having a
good time relaxing, watching the verbal sparring between siblings
and playing with Kayla. When Jake invited him to stay for dinner,
he jumped at the chance. He wasn’t often home at night, and it was
nice to just hang out.
    If truth be told, he was
intrigued by Madison. She had really grown up. Wow. The shy little girl he remembered as
having a bit of baby fat had grown into a gorgeous, curvy woman who
was hot. Not to mention quite sassy. He didn’t think she had ever
said more than two words in a row to him when they were
younger.
    Throughout dinner he had learned a lot of
things