Page 44 of In a Pinch

“Have you seen my phone?” Tossing the blanket off us, she gets up off the couch. “I bet Isla is wondering where the hell I am.” She grabs her phone and checks her messages. “Oh, good, she just thinks I went to bed.”

Oh, good? What’s that supposed to mean? It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her, but maybe I’m just overthinking it.

Instead, I ask, “Are you hungry?”

Her lazy smile stretches across her face. “Silly question. I’m pretty much always hungry.”

“Okay, I can whip up some breakfast. I’m assuming that asking if you want a cup of coffee is a stupid question, too?” She looks up from her phone and gives me a look. “Thought so.”

Shuffling around the kitchen, I grab the eggs and bacon from the fridge and get a pot of coffee brewing. With fingers rapidly scrolling, swiping, and the deep furrow between her brows, I can’t help but wonder what the heck she is doing.

“Whatcha looking at?”

“Apartment listings. Living with Isla was supposed to be a temporary thing, and now that I’ve got a stable income, it’s probably time I find my own place. There are quite a few open houses today. When we’re done with breakfast, I’ll probably have you give me a ride home so I can go on the hunt again.”

It’s dumb that I have spent all night with her and will spend a good chunk of the morning with her, and I am still not ready for her to go.

“If you are wanting company, I can help you search. I’m pretty familiar with the neighborhoods. So, I can help make sure you get into a good one.”

She smiles back at me with a smug look on her face. “Do you really know the area that well, or are you just looking for a reason to hang out with me? I’m awesome, I know. You can just be honest.”

My cheeks burn from the flush of being caught. Fuck. And here I was, thinking I was being cool by being a stand-up guy. She sees right through my shit.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Both of those things can be true. Pretty sure you’re not against my presence because I woke up with all of you wrapped around me.”

“Meh, you’re all right, I guess.” She rolls her eyes a little and sticks her tongue out at me. Real mature.

Getting up, she grabs the coffee cup I laid out for her and pours herself a cup before hopping up on the counter. A little flashback of last night plays through my mind, and the thought of it has me wishing I could replay that kiss. I haven’t gotten a feel of how she wants to play it: like this never happened or—and I hope she feels the same way as me—if she wants to do it again. And maybe a third time to see if it’s really that good. Because, for me, fuck. I’d change some rules just to kiss her again.

“How do you like your eggs?” I ask, knowing that if I turn to look at her, I’ll be drawn right back in.

“Over medium.” Of course, she has to be different.

We stay in comfortable silence as she sips her coffee, kicking her feet as if sitting still would be a crime. She eventually hops off the counter and looks out the window.

“You’ve got a great view. I thought it looked pretty last night, but first thing in the morning? Wow.”

It tumbles out of my mouth before I can think better of it: “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

“Never in my life did I think I would be getting sweet talked by you, Prince Charming.” Turning around, she tilts her head to the side with a small smile and leans against the window.

“’Charming’ is literally in the name. It sounds pretty on brand, if you ask me.” Now facing her, I shrug. “Breakfast is ready when you are. Do you need to run by Cal and Isla’s before we head out?”

“I think I have a pair of leggings in my purse. So, as long as you’re cool with me wearing your shirt, we should be good to go.”

The thought of her parading around town dressed in my T-shirt causes some sort of primal response out of me. One little kiss from her, and I’m wanting to brand her as mine. Not having the right words, I just nod and hope that it’ll be good enough for her.

“Do you mind if I rinse off before we go? I kind of feel gross, and I’m sure I have raccoon eyes.”

I chuckle a little. She does have some black smudges around her eyes, but they just make the green color look even more vibrant. “Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll grab an extra towel out for you once we’re done.”

She inhales her breakfast at an unnaturally fast pace. “Damn, did you even taste it?”

With a mouthful of bacon and eggs, she replies, “Sorry, I was starved.” A small piece of egg flies out of her mouth when she responds, pulling a laugh out of both of us.

“Didn’t anyone tell you to not talk while chewing?”

“Didn’t anyone teach you to mind your business? Plus, you were the one talking to me. It would have been rude to not answer you.”

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