Page 91 of Beyond the Hate

“Spicy hash browns. I used to make these by the bucketload for my brothers. You can’t believe how much teenage boys eat.”

“They smell delicious.”

“Thank you. Grab the plates. It’s ready.” I reach above him to get plates from the cupboard but he nods toward the table. “I already set the table.”

I freeze. He went through my cupboards to find dishes? I brace myself for the panic. I count to five but no panic arrives. Huh. Apparently, I don’t mind people in my space. As long as the person is Eli.

He plates our food and we settle at the table in the kitchen nook.

“Thanks for cooking. I’m feeling peckish.”

He nods to the food. “Go ahead. I promise I didn’t poison you. I’ve only poisoned one person.”

I still with my fork poised in front of my mouth. “You poisoned someone?”

He waves away my concern. “It was a mistake. I didn’t realize Kai handed me the bottle of expired milk. Miles vomited all day after drinking a glass of the milk.”

I grimace. “Did he not realize the milk was sour?”

“Miles hates milk. But I made him drink one glass a day anyway. He held his nose and drank it in one go.”

“Mr. Controlling strikes again,” I mutter before trying the hash browns. My eyes widen when the taste explodes in my mouth. “These are good.”

“You don’t have to sound surprised.”

“After you poisoned Miles, I’m entitled to be surprised.”

“Miles hasn’t drunk a glass of milk since then. He dry heaves if he watches someone drink milk.” I smirk. “We drink a lot of milk at the holidays.”

“You’re cruel.”

“The milk was a mistake. Unlike when Miles rubbed poison ivy all over my hands while I was sleeping. I had to wear gloves inside for a month.”

“You probably deserved it.”

Eli shakes a piece of bacon at me. “You’re as cruel as my brothers.”

I roll my eyes. “You deserved the red dye explosion.”

“And the beer in my lap?”

“Deserved as well,” I say before digging into my food.

“What do you want to do this morning?” I ask once we’ve finished eating.

“It’s a lazy morning. We can laze on the sofa and read the newspaper or watch a movie or we could crawl back into bed and work off all the calories from this breakfast.” He waggles. “I know which option has my preference.”

“We need to clean up the kitchen first.”

Eli stands. “I’ve got it.”

“But you cooked.”

“I want to spoil you. Why don’t you grab your Kindle and read while I clean? Maybe read a sexy scene to get you in the mood?”

“I’m not Maya. I don’t read romance.”

He sighs. “Bummer. I thought we could act out some of the racier scenes.”

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