Page 35 of Just Like That

“My mom used to make really good pancakes. They didnotlook like this. Hopefully it’s the thought that counts.”

JP sighed and looked at Teddy. “Do you think it’s too late to hire a private chef or something?”

I stifled a giggle as my heart rolled.

Teddy laughed, and I guessed he didn’t realize JP was probably serious. “Your mom sounds cool. Anyone who could make good pancakes is all right in my book.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat at the kind and casual mention of my sister.

“Did your mom ever make you pancakes?” Teddy asked.

I leaned in, soaking in every word.

JP was silent for heavy moments. “I’m not really sure, pal. By the time I was your age, she was already gone.”

“She died too?” Teddy’s innocence was a piercing blow to my heart.

JP cleared his throat, and his eyes were trained on the lumpy disaster in front of him. “Uh ... yeah, bud. She did. Only I wasn’t lucky like you. I didn’t have nice pancake memories or a cool aunt to take care of me. My aunt Bug was around, but she’s more the no-nonsense type.”

The hurt laced in his voice spurred me forward. “What smells so delicious?”

I beamed at them, pretending to not have eavesdropped on the last few minutes of their conversation.

Teddy leaned over the bowl, attempting to cover it with his arms, effectively getting smears of batter on his elbows. “Don’t look! It’s a surprise!”

“Admit it. It’s a disaster, man.” JP looked at me and shrugged. “We tried.” He gestured toward the coffeepot on the counter. “Coffee’s hot.”

I poured myself a cup and settled into one of the high-top chairs tucked into the kitchen island. I watched as the two fumbled around each other and did their best to finish breakfast. The pancakes came out as rock-hard little charcoal briquettes. They were dense and dry, and no amount of maple syrup helped to choke them down.

“Mmm.”I dabbed at the corners of my mouth.

JP’s flat stare nearly launched me into a fit of giggles. “These are terrible.”

My mouth popped open and Teddy burst into laughter.

“What?” JP said. “I’m not going to lie to the kid. It’s not his fault I can’t cook.”

I had gone to take another bite when JP slid the plate away from me. “Don’t eat that. Last thing I need is you choking on a pancake and me having to give you mouth-to-mouth.”

My cheeks flamed as a hot blush crept over my face. I knewexactlywhat his mouth felt like on mine, and I certainly wouldn’t have minded it happening again.

Teddy lifted his fork in the air. “The Heimlich.”

“Hmm?” I asked, still dazed from JP’s offhand comment.

“When you’re choking you need the Heimlich, not mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” He took another syrup-soaked bite.

A sly smirk flickered across JP’s features as his gaze lowered to my mouth. I could feel my heartbeat between my legs as every thought dissolved.

“You’re right.” With a scrape of metal against ceramic, JP dumped the pancakes into the trash. “I vote coffee and doughnuts from the Sugar Bowl.”

JP patted Teddy’s shoulder. “Go clean up and we can head to town.”

With giddy laughter, Teddy leaped off the stool and started toward the stairs.

“Need help?” I asked, turning to watch him run through the house.

Without turning back, Teddy shouted, “Not unless you want to see these buns!”

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