Page 64 of Better Hide

But Sam… I don’t know if he’s doing anything, but the whole thing is odd. And that’s not just because I’m jealous. Right?

I find some spices in the cabinet, smirking when I find onion powder, and throw some random seasonings into the eggs. By the time I’m finishing up, people are starting to move around.

I carry the food back to the room, and Jo is still in bed. I flop down next to her, trying not to spill the eggs.

“Wakey, wakey!”

Jo groans.

I chuckle, and some of the anxiety goes away. “I made you something.”

Jo cracks a pretty blue eye open. “What is it?”

“Eggs.” I hover the plate in front of her. “Scrambled.”

She sits up and looks more awake. “I love scrambled eggs.”

“But first,” I whip out the onion powder.

Jo’s eyes get big. “What?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t fuck you with it. This time.” I wink at her. “Unless you want to hit me over the head with it.”

“Give me that.” Jo grabs for the plate.

I produce a fork with a flourish.

Jo takes it from me with a small smile. I watch her attentively as she takes a bite. There’s a weird moment where I actually feel…afraid. Which is weird. I never feel afraid. But I want her to like it.

For a second, Jo freezes. There’s a flash of…something in her eyes. “What’s in this?”

“Special ingredient.” I have no idea. Whatever was in the cabinet, I put in the eggs. “Is it bad?”

“It’s great.” Jo chuckles and gives me a smile.

I relax.

Jayden walks past the bed, a floral scent wafting by in his wake. Jo wrinkles her nose. “Are you wearing perfume?”

Come to think of it, I smelled it when I woke up, too.

“Shut up,” Jayden mumbles as he stalks out of the room.

“Grumpy bastard.” I swipe the fork from Jo and take a bite. As soon as I do, I nearly choke. I spit my bite out on the plate. The eggs taste bitter and herbal. They’re absolutely nasty.

Jo’s trying to choke back a laugh, her face growing red.

“What the fuck?” I cough.

“Special ingredient?”

“Fuck off,” I snatch the plate away, slightly hurt and embarrassed.

“Hey, I liked it.” Jo puts her hand on my arm.

I pull away from her, cheeks burning.

“No, I mean it.” Jo scoots forward on the bed and grabs my jaw, pulling my face toward her. “You made it for me. That means everything.”

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