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Camila

I thought about telling Mom I had to work a few hours, but decided against it. I knew as soon as I asked her to watch Emily so I could go on a day date with none other than Portland's most eligible bachelor, according to Google. I admit I've done some research. Her grin would be wide and permanent on her face. She's always telling me to go out more, to date, and do things for myself. I always give her the same answer: No one has sparked my interest, and that she and Emily, well, and Vanessa are all the social life I need.

I've been on a few dates since Shawn passed, but they're usually double dates with Vanessa that never lead to more than dinner and a few drinks.

Maybe I'm broken?

"Go, have fun. No need to rush back," Mom says with Emily on her hip. "Em and I are going to the park, and then I thought we'd bake a cake."

"Yay!" Emily throws her little arms in the air and cheers.

"I'll be here by five," I say again.

She playfully rolls her eyes. "Well, if things change, don't worry about us. In fact, I was hoping for a sleepover."

"Can I Momma, please, please?" Emily begs.

"Mom, you keep her so much."

"Of course, I do. That's what grandmothers are for. Go, we've got this. You have fun, live a little. Take all the time you need. I'll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast."

"I have to be at work at ten."

"Then you better get up and get moving, lazy bones," she laughs, and Emily mimics her, throwing her head back in laughter. "I'll have pancakes and bacon ready at nine."

"Thank, Mom." I lean in and give them both a hug, kissing Em on the cheek. "You be good for Gram."

"Mommy, I'm always good," she says dramatically.

My baby girl is four going on fourteen. "You girls behave," I say with a final wave as I rush out the door. The entire drive to Frank's, I try not to think about today, about this date I've agreed to. She's so damn hard to keep resisting.

Pulling into the lot, I see her in her truck. She hops out and rushes to my door, opening it for me. "Hey, Camz." She leans in and kisses my cheek.

"Hi," I say awkwardly. I feel like a giddy teenager when I'm with her. I need to get that in check. I'm a grown woman, a mother. She's just another woman. I need to not let her job, her fame, intimidate me.

"You ready?" She asks.

"Sure, what are we doing?"

"I thought about today a lot and decided I wanted to share something that I love with you."

"Oh," I say, because what do you say to that? Lauren Jauregui is not at all what I expected. She continues to surprise me.

"Yeah, then I thought we could grab a bite to eat. I know you need to be back by five, so I hope I have it all planned out okay."

I feel a little guilty about the deadline. When I told her five o'clock, it was so I could keep my daughter in her routine. Well, and to keep my distance from her. She's sexy and charming, and I need all the help I can get. "That sounds good," I finally say. What I should tell her is there is no time limit, but I can't seem to push the words past my lips.

The ride is filled with casual conversation. Lauren asks me about school and my job. "So yeah, I have just two semesters to go," I tell her.

"That's great. You should be proud of everything you've accomplished while working and raising your daughter."