Worth the Fall: A Single Dad, Romantic Comedy (Flirting with Forever Book 2)

Cameron watches me as I slide into the chair across from him, his gaze steady in that unnervingly serene way he’s adopted lately. His man bun is tighter today, which only accentuates the soft fabric of his loose linen shirt and the beads on his wrist. I have to remind myself that this is the same man who used to mock me for carrying crystals in my purse for ‘good vibes.’

‘You look radiant, Mia,’ he says, leaning forward with his hands clasped together. ‘I can feel your energy is lighter today. Jasmine says that when the energy of the universe aligns⁠—’

‘Cameron,’ I interrupt, pulling out my iPad, ‘can we just talk about the contract?’

He blinks, then nods, pulling out a folder as if I’ve shattered the moment he was carefully crafting. ‘Of course. Here’s the latest draft. I read through it like you suggested, and⁠—’

‘You missed another loophole,’ I cut in, already scrolling to the section I flagged last night. ‘Clause 4.3. It undermines the entire noncompete agreement. I wrote notes for you, but you need to bring this to your new counsel for final review.’

His face softens into that infuriatingly calm expression. ‘This is why I need you, Mia. You’re brilliant. You catch these things.’

I set the iPad on the table, closing my eyes for a brief moment to summon patience. ‘Cameron, I can’t keep being your lawyer.’

He leans back, his brows knitting together. ‘Why not? You’re the best. And we’ve done this for years—it’s comfortable.’

I snap the iPad case shut. ‘Comfortable for who? You dumped me, Cameron. You don’t think it’s weird that I’m still cleaning up your legal messes?’

He opens his mouth, then closes it, like he doesn’t quite know what to say. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’

‘Then how did you mean it?’ My voice rises before I can rein it in. ‘Because from where I’m sitting, it feels like you think I should just… what? Pretend like the past twelve years didn’t happen?’

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, the peaceful facade cracks. ‘That’s not fair.’

‘No,’ I snap, ‘what’s not fair is asking your ex—the one you blindsided, by the way—to be your lawyer. It’s not my job to make you feel better about your decisions, Cameron.’

His expression shifts, guilt flickering across his features. He reaches across the table, his hand settling on mine. ‘I’m sorry, Mia. For everything.’

I pull my hand back, folding it tightly in my lap. ‘I appreciate the apology, but it doesn’t change anything. I can’t do this anymore.’

He’s quiet for a moment, then says, ‘I really think Jasmine could help you. She’s incredible at clearing emotional blockages.’

I stare at him, my pulse spiking. ‘Do you hear yourself? You broke up with me, and now you’re telling me I need emotional cleansing?’

His eyes widen, and I can see him scrambling to backtrack. ‘That’s not what I mean⁠—’

‘Yes, it is,’ I say, my voice hardening. ‘Just because you weren’t happy with me, doesn’t mean I’m not happy with myself.’

Silence stretches between us, heavy and uncomfortable. I pick up the folder of notes, sliding it across the table. ‘I’ve done everything I can for you, Cameron. Please find another lawyer.’

I stand, grabbing my bag. His voice follows me as I walk away.

‘Mia, wait⁠—’

But I don’t wait. I don’t look back. I push the door open and step into the cool evening air, my chest tight.

At home, I sit cross-legged on my couch with a cup of tea that’s gone cold. My mind races, replaying the conversation with Cameron, but it keeps drifting to Miguel instead.

Miguel, with his quiet confidence and the way he makes me feel seen. He’s so different from Cameron—grounded, authentic. Even before Cameron’s sudden transformation, he was always so calculated, so controlled. Miguel feels real, in a way that’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

I think about Felicity, her infectious laugh and the way she lit up when she talked about princesses. She’s just like him—warm and open, with a way of pulling you in without even trying. The thought of spending more time with both of them makes my heart ache in a way I didn’t expect.

Before I can overthink it, I grab my phone and type out a message.

I hit send before I can chicken out, then set my phone on the coffee table and wrap the blanket tighter around myself. But as the minutes tick by without a response, the doubt creeps in. What if I’m misreading this? What if I’m setting myself up for another heartbreak?

Cameron seemed so sure of us—until he wasn’t. I trusted him completely, gave him twelve years of my life, and he walked away like it was nothing. What if Miguel does the same?

I fall asleep clutching the blanket, my phone dark and silent on the table.

The next morning, I wake up groggy and unmotivated. My reflection in the bathroom mirror looks like a before picture in a makeover montage, complete with dark circles under my eyes and frizzy hair that refuses to cooperate. I toss on a blouse and slacks, grabbing two donuts from the bakery on the way to work.

At my desk, I bite into the first donut, powdered sugar dusting my keyboard. Linda pops her head in, raising an eyebrow.

‘Two donuts?’ she says, smirking. ‘Someone’s having a day.’

I wave her off with the second donut, mumbling through a mouthful of dough. ‘Let me eat my feelings in peace.’

Linda chuckles, retreating to her desk. As I finish the second donut, my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Miguel.

My heart skips as another text follows.

I bite my lip, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before typing back.

His response comes quickly.

Heat rises to my cheeks, and I glance around to make sure no one’s looking at my phone.

The grin on my face is ridiculous. Linda pokes her head in again, giving me a knowing look. ‘Texting a new client or a new crush?’

‘Neither,’ I say quickly, but she’s already gone, laughing to herself.

At lunch, Becca shows up at my office unannounced, a gym bag slung over her shoulder. “The yoga class I teach got canceled, so I figured we could grab lunch. Unless you’re buried under contracts?’

I glance at my desk, which is an avalanche waiting to happen, and shrug. ‘The contracts can wait. Let me grab my bag.’

We head to a café around the corner, one of those places with mismatched furniture and a menu written in chalk. Becca orders a quinoa salad, and I opt for a grilled cheese and tomato soup. She gives me a look but doesn’t comment.

As soon as we sit, she launches into the details of her morning. ‘I swear, this yoga teacher is a magician. I went in feeling like a rusty spring and came out practically floating.’

‘You sound like Cameron,’ I mutter before I can stop myself.

Becca raises an eyebrow. ‘Oh no. Did he show up with more sage and life coach wisdom?’

‘Not exactly,’ I say, swirling my spoon in the soup. ‘We met last night to go over some contracts. He’s still doing his whole ‘namaste’ thing, and he suggested that his life coach could ‘help me sort my life out.’’

Her mouth drops open, and for a moment, she just stares at me. ‘He did not.’

‘Oh, he did,’ I say, letting out a sharp laugh. ‘Apparently, breaking up with me wasn’t enough. Now he thinks I need an emotional cleanse.’

Becca leans back in her chair, her expression a mix of amusement and outrage. ‘Wow. I mean, I always thought from the way you described him that Cameron was a little clueless, but this? That’s next-level.’

‘Tell me about it,’ I say, taking a bite of my grilled cheese. ‘The worst part is, I don’t even know why I let it get to me. He’s not worth it.’

‘He’s not,’ Becca agrees, her tone firm. ‘But you’re allowed to feel things, Mia. You were with him for twelve years. That kind of history doesn’t just disappear.’

I nod, appreciating her understanding. But even as we move on to lighter topics, I can’t help but notice the way my thoughts keep circling back to Miguel.

Becca seems to pick up on it, because halfway through her salad, she says, ‘Alright, spill. What’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing,’ because you’ve had this dreamy, distracted look on your face all morning.’

I hesitate, then decide to just go for it. ‘It’s Miguel.’

Her grin is immediate. ‘I knew it. So, what’s the story? How’s it going?’

‘It’s…’ I trail off, searching for the right words. ‘It’s amazing. And terrifying. I mean, he’s⁠—’

‘Incredible?’ she supplies, her grin widening.

‘Yes,’ I admit, laughing. ‘But he’s also been through so much, and I don’t want to rush into anything. Especially with Felicity involved.’

Becca nods, her expression softening. ‘Miguel’s been through the wringer, no question. The way Celine blindsided him… it was hard to watch.’

I hesitate, then lower my voice. ‘Do you think he’s over her?’

Becca pauses, her fork hovering midair. ‘I do. I really do. But…’ She sets the fork down, her gaze thoughtful. ‘It took him a long time to get here. Celine… she hurt him in ways I don’t think even she realizes. He tried so hard to hold things together—for Felicity, mostly—but when the truth came out, it broke him.’

My chest tightens at her words. ‘And now?’

‘Now, he’s better,’ she says, her tone more confident. ‘He’s focused on Felicity, on being a good dad. He’s building something new for himself, Mia. I think he’s ready to move forward.’

I nod, but there’s a tiny flicker of doubt I can’t shake. ‘I just don’t want to be a rebound,’ I say quietly. ‘Or worse, someone he’s using to get over her.’

Becca reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. ‘You’re not. Trust me, Mia. The way he talks about you, the way he looks at you… it’s different.’

‘Different how?’

Her grin returns, sly and knowing. ‘Like you’re the only thing in the room worth looking at.’

I laugh, but her words hit something deep inside me. I want to believe her—to believe that Miguel feels the same way I do—but a part of me is still holding back, afraid of what it might mean to fall again.

‘Enough about me,’ I say, shaking off the heaviness. ‘Tell me about this game night you’re planning.’

Becca perks up immediately. ‘Oh, it’s going to be great. We’re thinking board games, maybe some trivia. Miguel will be there, obviously. And Taylor and Austin too.’

The mention of Austin brings a mischievous glint to her eye, and I can’t resist poking. ‘And how’s Taylor? Has Austin made his move yet?’

She groans, rolling her eyes. ‘Not yet. But it’s only a matter of time. That kiss at the pickleball court? She hasn’t stopped talking about it.’

‘She’s not the only one,’ I say, smirking. ‘Austin looked like he was ready to propose on the spot.’

Becca laughs, shaking her head. ‘I swear, those two are the most oblivious people I’ve ever met. But enough about them. Are you coming to game night?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it,’ I say, smiling.

‘Good,’ she says, standing and gathering her things. ‘Because I have a feeling it’s going to be a night to remember.’

Back at my desk, I replay our conversation in my head, Becca’s words lingering like a soft hum in the background.

He’s ready to move forward.

I want to believe her. I want to believe in this thing with Miguel.

But as I stare at my phone, scrolling through his messages, the tiniest flicker of doubt remains. I tell myself it’s just nerves. After all, falling for someone is always a risk. And this time, I’m not just risking my heart—I’m risking the chance to build something real, something lasting.