Page 29 of Even Ground

Once I’m done, I head out of the bedroom and straight toward the kitchen. A faint smell of toast floats in the air, and again my stomach reminds me it wants food.

I pat it. “Patience, padawan. You’ll be fed soon enough.”

“Pania.” Cal, Josh’s dad, smiles as I walk into the kitchen. “I was just about to leave you and Reece a note.”

I scratch the back of my head and yawn before clamping my hand across my mouth.

He laughs. “Don’t worry. Ros and I figured you two would be sleeping most of the day. Good night?”

I nod. “It was fantastic. Lots of wine.”

“I was impressed this morning at how quickly this place was cleaned up.” He pauses. “We’re heading out with Amelia to the zoo now. Did you want to come with us?”

I shake my head. “Thank you, but I’m not feeling that great after last night. I think I’m going to grab something to eat and head back to bed for a while.”

He chuckles. “That’s fair. You have a good day.”

“You too. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

Cal nods and turns toward the door. In the doorway, Melly waves at me. “We’re going to the zoo.”

“I know, sweet pea. Have fun.”

She blows me a kiss before heading out with her grandfather. Now left in silence, I close my eyes and let out a long breath.

“Is that hurricane Amelia gone for the day?” Reece’s voice comes seemingly out of nowhere, and I open my eyes to him standing right in front of me. It’s the most casual he’s been dressed—jeans and a tight T-shirt—and I swallow hard at the sight of his rippling muscles through the material.

“They just headed out. Want some breakfast?”

His lips twitch. “I won’t say no.”

“Good. I’ll probably cook way too much for me anyway. I need a lot to conquer this hangover.”

He bows his head slightly. “Did you follow your own advice and drink some water before bed?”

I laugh, giving his shoulder a push. “I sure did. Probably would have felt a lot worse if I hadn’t. My brain feels as if something’s gnawing at it.”

“Mine too. I’m sure there’s a carpenter working in my head, hammering in nails.”

“Let’s get something to eat and take some pills to end our suffering.” I walk around the kitchen bench and look back at him, his smile disappearing from his face, his feet shuffling. “Are you okay?”

Reece looks up. “I’m fine. Want me to make coffee?”

I shake my head. “Just take a seat. I’ll do it.”

He all but collapses on a stool on the other side of the bench. “I’m so glad you said that.”

“Drama queen.” I bite down a smile. “Eggs and bacon?”

His mouth hanging open, Reece seems to be drooling. He makes a sound I can only describe as one of those noises a zombie makes in the movies.

“Are you okay?” I ask again, tilting my head.

“Hungry.” He growls.

“You’re such a clown. Fried eggs or scrambled?”

“However you want them.”

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