Page 44 of On The Rocks

“So, what are we doing here?”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Breakfast.” The timer chimed out of my surround sound speakers.

“Jeez.”

I laughed. “Sorry. Have Alexa hooked up to everything.” I called out to shut off the timer as I pulled out my lobster mitt from a drawer beside the stove.

She stepped back as I opened the oven door and pulled out the tray.

“You can grab plates from the bottom drawer behind you.”

She spun around and gave me an ‘ooh, fancy,’ look as she pulled out two deep green plates.

“When you have a famous architect design your kitchen, you get bougie.”

“I take it you two are getting along better.”

I shrugged, happy to talk about anything but her previous question. “More like I gave him carte blanche, an unlimited budget, and he was intrigued enough to entertain the idea.”

“You didn’t have any input?”

I dumped the shredded cheese onto the omelette and folded it, covering the top with more cheese and putting a lid on it before turning down the heat. “Actually, ended up more of a collaborative thing. Why?”

“I like it.” She cupped the mug in her hands and walked out of the kitchen toward the window. “Unexpected,” she added softly, as she looked outside.

I peeked at the massive omelette, then I pulled it off the burner to let it steam a minute. I dumped the biscuits into a bowl with a towel to keep them warm and brought them and the dishes over to my kitchen table to quickly set it.

She turned with the window at her back, sun gilding her dark hair like flame.

I really didn’t know what we were doing.

Did I go for it or play it safe?

Chapter 11

Lennon

He’s a Perfect Distraction

Griffin’s place suited him.

Eclectic vintage vibes with a definite hint of money.

I wasn’t sure what rockstars brought in cash-wise, but I had a feeling he’d done well for himself.

For it being one massive box—save for his hideaway bedroom—the space was strangely homey. The kitchen was actually quite large, and the intriguing raised space over it was strangely empty. The industrial metal supports were obviously a Kain idea. His modern and architectural prowess practically screamed from the design.

I’d done a deep dive on him when we’d found out who Kain was. A billionaire architect playing chef in the middle of nowhere didn’t make any sense. The sheer number of awards and articles about him were staggering. But the more I got to know Kain, the more I understood him.

And liked him.

The orchard was one big renewable resource in his eyes. This place had the hallmarks of his design sense all over it, but there was no doubt that Griffin had made his mark here too.

Griffin was so different than Kain.

Oh, they both were chameleons when it came to their easygoing natures. Where Kain was quick to boil over, Griffin was placid as a lake. No matter how many times Kain ignored him or berated him, he came back for more.

Determined to show he wasn’t going anywhere, he slowly wore Kain down.

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