Page 44 of Two Chambered Heart

“Unfortunately,youweren’t an available flavour. So it didn’t really matter what flavour I ordered, it would have paled in comparison.”

Corey’s eyes dilated, her cheeks heating. He had to restrain himself from prowling over top her on the couch.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his saved numbers. “Sushi?” he asked her.

“Oh god, yessss,” she responded, lust bleeding into enthusiasm, drawing out her words.

Kayden made the call to his favourite sushi restaurant, a hole-in-the-wall a little way out from downtown that had actual authentic Japanese food. He ordered enough food to feed an army—sushi rolls, karaage chicken, ramen, and becausefuck their meal plan, he even ordered an okonomiyaki.

When he hung up the phone, Corey looked confused. “What the hell is omoyoko-whatever?”

“Okonomiyaki,” Kayden repeated slowly.

“Yeah, that.”

“It’s Japanese street food. It’s kind of like a savory pancake. I know you love pancakes. Trust me, you’ll like it.”

“Let’s see if you can redeem yourself. I’ll reserve judgement until after dinner.”

They both turned at the sound of footsteps against the stairs. Jason was walking towards the kitchen, grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, a matching sweatshirt slung over his arm. His skin was still damp from the shower.

Once he was in the kitchen, Jason pulled the sweatshirt over his head, poking his head through the hood, his black hair hanging around his face. Kayden caught the moment his brother realized Corey was watching him.

He cocked a brow at her.

“Couldn’t put that on upstairs?” Corey said, feigning annoyance.

“Why? Looks like you enjoyed the show.” His tone was harsh, expression harder.

Corey huffed out a breath and averted her eyes, apparently at a loss for a comeback.

Taking the bottle and glass from the counter, Jason made his way over to the couch. Corey was curled up in the corner piece of the sectional, so Jason was forced to sit on her other side, though the sectional was big enough that there was still space between the two.

“What happened to your feet?” he said, noticing the bandages wrapped around her big toes.

“New shoes,” Corey said dismissively.

“Were they too small or something?” There was a note of concern in his voice. Kayden knew Jason liked to get his gifts right.

“No, it was just a long run.”

“We were out for two hours. I’m pretty sure we ran a half marathon,” Kayden chimed in.

Jason looked impressed, just as he had in the gym when Corey had announced her distance.

“Did you run on the trails?”

“No, we just lapped the city a few times.” Kayden told his brother. “I wanted to stay closer to the house… just in case.”

“Just in case what?” Corey asked.

Kayden shifted in his seat. Maybe he’d said too much.

“In case he couldn’t keep up with you and needed to take his slow ass home,” Jason teased, smiling at Kayden. But the smile didn’t meet his eyes. There was a warning there.

It was enough to get Kayden off the hook, though, since Corey laughed. “Well, he’s definitely not slow. I’m pretty sure he was holding back.”

“Kayden doesn’t hold back,” Jason said, not looking at her.

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