Best of the Best

Chapter 7: Silly

"No strawberries," Camila said, before Hansen could put them in the cart.

"Why the hell not? Strawberries are perfect for picnics."

Camila grabbed a bag of grapes. "Thomas is allergic."

"Oh he is, is he?"

Camila rolled her eyes and brushed by her friend. "Don't give me that look and yes he is."

Hansen held up her hands. "There's no look. I think it's cute. You and the kid."

Camila ran a hand through her hair. "He's a great kid."

Hansen gave her a quick shove. "His mom's pretty great too, right?"

Camila couldn't fight a smile from forming. "She's- yeah."

"You are so far gone," Dinah commented, tossing an orange Camila was quick to catch.

"I am, okay? I'm well aware. Now could you please help me. You're suppose to help me keep cool. This date is tomorrow. I know I'm a mess. What I don't know is how to pick a watermelon."

Dinah slapped a hand down on Camila's shoulder and laughed. "Alright buddy, I'll let you be for now, and you might be a mess, but you're a hot mess. Never forget that."

Camila chuckled. "Right. Hot mess," she said, grabbing a watermelon.

"You talked to her this week?"

Camila nodded, rapping her knuckles against the melon. "Is this how you check it?" She asked, getting only a shrug in response. "And yes, we talked a few times."

"That's what old ladies do," Dinah answered, taking the watermelon and shaking it. "Talk or text?"

Camila took the melon back and set it in her cart. "We just texted a few times, and then Thomas called me by accident the other evening."

"By accident?"

Camila nodded as they headed down the cereal aisle. "Lauren was letting him play a game on her phone. Apparently he started mashing the screen," she said with a smile, grabbing a box of Froot Loops. "He was pretty excited about it?"

"And mama bear?"

Camila rolled her eyes. "Mama bear and I, we talked, yeah."

Dinah's eyebrow quirked up. "Oh yeah? For how long exactly?"

Camila pressed her lips together, as they rounded the turn to the next aisle. "Long enough."

Dinah grabbed a box of Oreos.

"Get double stuffed," Camila said.

"Are you saying that to me or about the cookies?"

"Both," Camila answered. "And we talked until she had to put Thomas to bed."

"And then she called you back. Didn't she?"

Camila sighed as she headed for the checkout. "No," she said, looking down. "But I wanted her to."

Dinah laid a hand on her friend's shoulder. "That's awesome buddy, and you're gonna be awesome tomorrow, and that kid thinks you're awesome, and I'm pretty sure she thinks you're awesome too."

Camila kept her head down, nodding. "She's amazing, DJ. I just want- I just want to be...hers."

Dinah gave Camila's shoulder a squeeze. "I know. That's all we've ever wanted, right? For someone to want us. She wants you, Mila. She's let you into her life, her kid's life. Just show her how much you, not only want this, but value it, appreciate it, and how you want to do this right. That big heart of yours isn't just good for fighting."