Page 11 of Even Ground

I’m acutely aware of it as I pull on my jeans and a fresh T-shirt from my bag. In the en suite, I take the time to wash my face, brush my teeth, and look presentable before making my way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

Josh, Delaney, Amelia, and Pania all look up as I enter the room.

I yawn. “That bed is so comfortable.”

Delaney laughs. “You’re just in time for breakfast. There’s plenty of food.”

I clap my hands together. “Immaculate timing as always.”

There are a pile of pancakes in the centre of the table, and I take a seat, picking up a fork to help myself.

“Want a coffee?” Josh asks.

“I’ll make one in a minute. After my stomach stops grumbling.”

He stands. “I’m getting a refill anyway. Anyone else want one?”

Delaney shakes her head.

“No thanks,” Pania says.

He heads behind the kitchen counter, and I fill my plate with pancakes before grabbing the syrup. “These look amazing, Delaney.”

“Have as many as you like. I can always make more.” She smiles. “Did you have any washing you want doing?”

I shake my head. “I had it all done before I came home.”

“You do his washing?”

I shift my gaze to Pania. Her nose is scrunched up, her mouth hanging open.

“No.” Delaney laughs. “But he’s just got back from a trip, and you know what boys are like.”

Pania rolls her eyes and goes back to eating.

My stomach grumbles, and I pick up my fork. This beats any hotel breakfast. Maybe I should just start paying rent.

It doesn’t take long to eat my fill. Usually, I’m on an eating plan to keep in good condition for movies, especially with the love scene in our own production coming up, but I’ll make an exception for this morning.

I lean back in my seat. “That was amazing. I missed your cooking so much when I was away.”

“You’re always welcome.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “What are you two up to today?”

Josh stands. “We are getting out of here.”

I look up. “Where are you going?”

“We are off to get new shoes.”

I side-eye him. “I’m pretty sure that neither of us need new shoes. I’ve got—”

“Delaney’s got her last dress fitting today, goofball. We’re getting out of here.”

I put down my coffee cup. “I’ve seen her dress. I helped her get out of it the other day.”

Between Josh’s glare and the death stare across the table from Pania, I’m surprised I don’t end up a pile of ash on the floor.

I hold up my palms. “Okay. I get the message. Pania will kill me if I don’t leave the house.”

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