Page 15 of Where We Found Our Home
“Stop being a whole man-child, Linc. Ciara, I’ve got pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and fresh fruit. What would you like?”
“Oh, you’ve done enough. You don’t have to fix my plate.”
She waves me off. “Oh girl, please. This is your first time in my home, plus you have a head injury so I’m being the hostess with the mostest. But best believe next time we hang out here, you’ll be serving your damn self,” Sasha says with a smile.
“You said a bad word, Mommy.”
“I told you to stop trying to get me to start a swear jar, little girl. I’m too old to change!” Sasha protests. “What’s the rule?”
Nevaeh giggles. “Do as you say, not as you do.”
“Lord knows if we did start a swear jar, Nevaeh would be rich by now,” Carter chimes in.
God, this family is cute. It makes me miss my own family.
After breakfast, Lincoln and Nevaeh wash and dry the dishes while Carter sweeps the kitchen floor and Sasha watches over her minions with a cup of coffee in her hands. She’s got a well-oiled machine going here, and I’m not mad at it.
“Alrighty, I am off to work. Nevaeh, you’ve got a five-minute countdown to grab your stuff before this train leaves the station,” Carter says while booping Nevaeh on the nose.
“On it, Cap’n.” She takes off upstairs.
“I’ve gotta head out too. You gonna be okay?” Lincoln asks me, and I bite my bottom lip then curse myself for being so pitiful.
“I’m good.”
“You can ride with me to the coffee shop since your car is still there,” Sasha offers.
“I can’t drive yet because of my concussion, but I’ll grab an Uber from there and get my car later.”
“That works for me!” Sasha replies.
“Have a good day, family!” He turns to me. “See you around, Jim Bob.”
I roll my eyes, and I hear Lincoln’s laugh long after he shuts the door.
I’ve been avoiding Sasha’s gaze all morning. Those knowing eyes are trying to trap me, and I won’t have it.
She fakes a cough, and I brace myself. “I mean it’s the chumminess between you and my brother for me.”
“Oh my God.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I am here for it. I just was not expecting that. I can’t believe Nevaeh felt the vibes before I did. I must be losing my touch.”
“There are no vibes.”
“Right.”
“I’m serious. He swooped in and did his fireman thing after I busted my head, and we were being nice. That is all. Periodt.”
“I don’t recall asking a follow-up question. You’re offering a lot of details I didn’t ask for.”
Send help.
I roll my eyes. “So anyway, I’m going to start looking for a part-time job. I need some income coming in while I’m working on this book. Any suggestions?”
“Mhmm. I see your deflection and I could call it, but I’m gonna fold for now because it’s what you need.”
Get me out of here!“I didn’t realize I was dealing with a card shark.”
