Page 45 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“Finn, say hello to Charlene,” Kyle directed.

Keeping his head down he gave a mumbled hi, clearly upset that she had intruded.

“The nurse, right? What’s your name again?” Charlene asked.

Scrubbing her palms on her apron before reaching out her hand in greeting she said, “Hello. Yes, we met briefly at the hospital.”

Kyle made the introduction, “Ella meet Charlene, an old family friend.”

“Not so old but we do go way back. Our nannies took turns watching us while our parents held lavish soirées. When we got old enough, we were shipped off to boarding school together along with his sister and brother. I’m sure you’ve met them?”

“The sister Faye yes, but not Griffin,” Ella said.

“He’s always off jet-setting around the world. He inherited all of the charm in the family… of the males anyway. Faye has her share of charisma.”

“Our families are in business together,” Kyle said.

“Yes, and apparently after amassing their fortunes, a lifetime of working together wasn’t enough so Daddy and Mother packed up and followed Kyle’s parents to Palm Springs.”

“Wow, that’s some history. Lifelong friends.”

Charlene smiled slyly, “With benefits.”

Wrinkling his brow Finn asked, “What are benefits?”

Charlene laughed as Kyle steered the conversation to safer territory. “Buddy let’s take our seat so we can eat.”

“Have you eaten? We have plenty.” Ella asked Charlene.

“No thanks. Just came by to check on this naughty man. He never seems to return my phone calls these days.” Eyes narrowed she sized Ella up. “I didn’t know cooking fell under the auspices of nursing,” she said sounding annoyed.

Exasperated with her tone Kyle said, “Charlene did you come here just to bust our balls or is there something else?”

“Kyle darling, I’ve missed you. I know you’re recovering but is there any reason why we couldn’t take the boat out? After all, you do have a captain you could call on.”

“I haven’t even thought about taking the boat out. My limited energy is being used very strategically.”

Charlene walked over to Kyle and planted a kiss right on his lips. Kyle neither encouraged nor discouraged the display, duly noted by Ella. She was grateful for the reminder.

“Gross!” Finn said.

Ella snickered. Her sentiments exactly. “How many eggs does everyone want?” She had already piled the stack of pancakes onto a platter and had set them on the kitchen island. The toast was buttered, the whipped cream and berries waiting to complement the flapjacks, and the pitcher of juice ready to be poured.

“Two for me, one for Finn,” Kyle said.

“Charlene are you sure?” Ella asked politely.

“None for me, I’ll just eat a few berries with the cream.”

“Help yourself.”

Ella cracked the eggs onto the griddle, “Sunnyside or over-easy?”

“Over easy but very dippy,” Kyle said.

“Me too,” Finn echoed.

As Ella carefully flipped the eggs she said, “Charlene, the coffee is freshly brewed help yourself, cream’s in the fridge.”

---