Page 138 of Breaking the Rules

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Chapter Twenty-One

Hunter

Emma looks up from her spot on the couch.

Her dark eyes cut through me.

It's not like my brother's stare.

There's no hate in it.

There's frustration, yeah, but there's relief too.

"Hey." I press the door closed. Leave my keys on the dining table. I want to be here. I want to help her. To earn her trust.

There's something easy about being with her.

I don't feel like a useless fuckup.

I feel like I'm worth something.

Like I'm capable of helping her.

I don't know how to do it.

But the way her eyes are lighting up—

If she wants me around, I'm going to be around.

"Hey." She takes a long sip from her oversized mug. "I tried using the pour over."

"Yeah?" The room does smell like coffee.

"But I couldn't figure it out." Her lips press together—they aren't red today. She isn't wearing a hint of makeup. "So I made drip instead."

I shake my head. "Not with the single-origin?"

She bites her lip. "Yes with the single-origin."

"Em, you didn't." Using coffee that good to make something as shitty as drip is wrong.

"I figured it would be easy." Her lips curl into a half-smile. "I mean, if you can do it, how hard can it be?"

"You want me to show you?"

Her smile widens as she nods.

"What about that?" I motion to her mug.

"There's always room for more coffee."

"It's getting late."

"It's still light out." She stands and crosses the room. "Besides, it's Saturday."

"Is this how you party?"

"Coffee, chocolate chip pancakes, and Disney movies. Best party in the world."

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