Page 44 of Broken Chains

“Found something in the kitchen I think belongs to you,” I teased.

“Lily kidnapped her,” Thomas said. “We were giving it another five minutes before we stormed the kitchen.”

Lily shot my brother a look, but also moved to stand next to him as he wrapped an arm around her waist and squeezed her butt cheek. They made it look so easy and I longed to be able to touch Oliver like that anytime I wanted.

“I’m late getting back to work,” Wyatt admitted. “Oliver, it was nice to meet you. Don’t be a stranger around here.”

Thomas scooted out to let Wyatt leave, then pulled Lily down next to him in the booth.

“And Thomas, thanks for picking up the lunch tab.”

“Asshole,” Thomas muttered as Wyatt gave Kate a quick kiss and left.

“I’m afraid I should be getting home too before your mother sends the troops out looking for me,” Dad said. He shook Oliver’s hand. “I hope we see you around, son.”

“Thank you, sir,” Oliver said, and I wanted to ask exactly what that meant. I wanted to know what they were talking about. Had they discussed me? They wouldn’t!

Dad stood and kissed my temple. “See you later, sweetheart. You really should bring this precious one around sometime. She’ll have your mother wrapped around her little finger in no time.”

“Sure, Cora’s gonna succumb to the powers of the baby, but not you, right, Zach?” Lily teased. “That man is a baby magnet,” Lily told Oliver. My dad just smiled and gave a wave as he left.

“Are you on a break?” Thomas asked me.

I shrugged. “I got off twenty minutes ago. I just have a packed schedule this weekend and was trying to prep for a few things now before heading home.”

Lily’s phone buzzed with a reminder and she glanced at it. “Shoot. I have a meeting back at the house in ten minutes. Sorry, but gotta run.”

“Hold up, I’ll walk you out,” Thomas said, trailing behind her. “See you guys later,” he yelled over his shoulder.

“Did you eat?” I asked him.

“Yeah. In peace, actually, since Lily snagged Eve and all.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No, it was fine, really.”

“Do you want a quick tour of the place? I can show you the specialty kitchen I work from Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.”

“I’d love to see that.” He scooted to get up and then saw the bill laying on the table that Thomas was supposed to have taken care of. “Son of a bitch,” he swore under his breath as he grabbed the ticket.

I snatched it from him.

“It’s fine, I’ve got it,” he insisted.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Kate, add this to Thomas’s tab,” I said.

“I got it. It was Wyatt’s turn, that’s why he ran out of here laughing, just harassing Thomas.”

I smiled. “I don’t know how you keep track of those two.”

“I still need to pay for mine,” Oliver said, pulling out his wallet.

“Put it away. First time in, it’s on the house,” Kate said. “We’re all just thrilled little Eve is on the mend. We’ve been praying for her.”

“Uh, thanks,” Oliver said awkwardly.

I reached for his hand and pulled him back into the kitchen, shooting Kate a look of thanks.

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