Best of the Best

Chapter 4: Putty

Pretending a row of training bags was the Putty Patrol proved to be a big hit. Thomas squealed with delight every time Camila picked him up so he could reach the target, and Camila certainly wasn't complaining about getting to play hero as they rescued Lauren from the evil clutches of Goldar.

Thomas rubbed his eyes after their third daring rescue, climbing onto the chair next to his mom. "Safe now, mama," he proclaimed, losing his own battle against a yawn.

"Thank you sweetheart," Lauren said, pushing a wayward curl off his forehead. "Just in time to go home for a nap I think."

Thomas shook his head, even as he laid it in his mother's lap. "Stay here."

Lauren sighed. "No, we have naps in our beds You can't just fall asleep wherever you like and make your poor mother carry you home."

Camila chuckled, her thumbs tucked in the front of her belt. "I think it's too late."

Lauren looked down and heaved another sigh. "I used to really appreciate how easily he falls asleep, but he was much more portable."

Camila was speaking before she thought about what she was saying. "I could carry him for you," she offered, fighting the urge to cringe. "I mean, if that's okay with you. I don't want to overstep. We just met, and you probably don't want just anybody knowing where you live, and I totally get that-"

Lauren waved her hand, looking up and Camila stopped talking. "I appreciate the offer, but I think we've inconvenienced you enough today. I can have a car here in ten minutes."

Camila fidgeted, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "It's really not a problem. I mean, I'm assuming you guys don't live super far away, and it's better for the environment and everything, you know, saving on gas."

Lauren eyed Camila, the hint of a smile on her lips. "Indeed. But still..."

Camila held up her hands to thwart another argument. "It's no trouble really. I just gotta change. I'll be like five minutes."

Lauren's slight smile bloomed into a wicked grin, as she reached out and flicked the end of Camila's belt. "That's a shame. I was really enjoying the uniform."

Camila was certain her heart was about to stop, as every drop of blood in her body traveled to her cheeks. She ducked her head and took a stumbling step back. "It's, uh...yeah. So, I just live upstairs," she managed, pointing with her thumb to the door and taking a few slow steps towards it. "So I'm just gonna go change, and I'll be right back."

Lauren bit her lip, fighting the urge to laugh, though her eyes were giving her away. "Take your time," she said, as Camila stumbled over the threshold. "Before you hurt yourself."

Camila's blush managed to deepen somehow, and she rushed to the adjacent door outside and up the stairs to her apartment. "Oh God, oh God," she repeated, peeling off her uniform and tossing it on the bed. She was never going to survive. She better pick out something nice to wear because she was probably going to die in these clothes. She settled on her favourite jeans and a tank top that was on the top of her fresh laundry pile. Slipping on her shoes, and using every meditative technique she'd ever learned, she calmed down enough to head back downstairs.

Lauren was where she'd left her, one hand running through Thomas' hair, the other scrolling through something on her phone. Her smirk reappeared as she looked up, and Camila immediately felt her blush reappear.

"Ummm...ready?" She asked, rubbing her arm.

Lauren slipped her phone back in her purse. "Ready. You can just grab him," she said, running a thumb over Thomas' cheek. The boy's lips turned up slightly at his mother's touch. "He won't wake up for anything at this point."