Page 47 of Melody

“Yeah, I see that,” Kyle said, a smile in his voice. “Can I help?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t have a lot. I have a couple of oranges in the fridge if you want to cut them up—and I can make some toast too.”

“I could do both oranges and toast if you want.”

Scarlett grinned, placing a pat of butter in the warm skillet. “Overachiever?” She could have said that about his performance the night before as well.

“I aim to please.” It was almost as if he’d read her mind. But she knew he was only talking about this morning.

“Did you need any cream or sugar?”

“Nah. I’m okay with black.”

Scarlett much preferred hers with a little of each, but she wanted to wait until she had the eggs cooked.

Meanwhile, Kyle got the oranges out of the fridge—but he didn’t return to the small counter right away. When he spoke, it was from across the room. “Looks like the snow’s melting on the street as cars drive over it. The highway’ll probably be pretty good.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Finally, the butter was melted and sizzling, and Scarlett poured in the bowl of eggs.

“Do you have a cutting board?”

“Behind the dish drainer.” There was hardly room for anything in the kitchen so she made use of every inch—but she didn’t have a lot, so it worked out okay. While the eggs began cooking, she dropped two slices of bread in the toaster.

“I thought you wanted me to do that.”

“The eggs are gonna be ready in a sec—you can still butter them if you want.”

He gave her a playful scowl but she enjoyed the whole business of working closely together in the kitchen. When she announced breakfast was ready and she poured herself a cup of coffee, Kyle pulled her close and kissed her softly. “I had a good time last night. I hope you did too.”

Good timewas an understatement. She’d had an amazing time—and she was completely rethinking her stance on relationships. Maybe a boyfriend like Kylewouldbe nice. “It was wonderful. Thank you for staying.”

“Thankyoufor inviting me.” He kissed her again and then said, “I guess we should eat, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Soon they were seated at the small round kitchen table, and Scarlett took a bite of the eggs. Somehow, they seemed like the best she’d ever tasted. Kyle ate as if he hadn’t had a meal in days. He wasn’t rude or sloppy, but there was no denying he was hungry. “This is really good, Tink. How come I can’t make eggs like this?”

“It’s no secret. It’s pretty easy.”

Kyle shook his head, swallowing another bite of toast. “No. I’m tellin’ you, you have the magic touch.”

“Maybe it’s because I made it with love.” She laughed at her stupid joke. “I can’t make a lot of things, but eggs just always seemed easy enough. I didn’t really like ‘em as a kid, but when I was a teen, I started cooking one each morning for breakfast. I liked it better than sugary stuff.”

“Are you saying a Monster for breakfast is a bad idea?”

“Formeit is.” As Scarlett watched him eat, she couldn’t help but reflect on her first morning with Tommy and it finally dawned on her just how eerily similar it was. She’d still been living in her parents’ house, but she’d been selling items shedidn’t need to pay the bills, and she had a few boxes in the kitchen full of said items. Tommy had been pursuing her for some time and he’d said something the night before that had melted her heart, and she’d invited him over—and it had been nice having a man close as she slept. With Tommy’s reputation, she’d expected to see him gone the next morning, but he was still there…and she asked if he wanted to have breakfast with her.

Eggs, of course.

He, too, had eaten like he’d been starved.

She tried to remember…had those moments with Tommy seemed this idyllic the first morning? Was she allowing herself to be lulled into another bad relationship completely unaware?

“I’m sorry. What?” she asked, realizing she’d missed whatever it was Kyle had just said.

“Do you care if I eat another couple wedges of orange?”

“No. Help yourself. I won’t be able to eat all that. Do you want to polish off the eggs too?”

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