Pushing those thoughts away, I did not want to cry over the eggs. They were salty enough.
All three men come wandering in, sniffing the air, and eyeing me in my apron like they’ve never seen a domestic goddess doing her thing before.
They have good timing.
I pull the cookies out to cool and finish plating the rest of breakfast.
Pointing at the table, I demand, “Go sit. I’ll bring you your plates.”
I already have the table set, and Grant gives me a good once over before he sits. I can see him wanting to argue with me. To tell me that these aren’t the rules set out for me, but I’ve adapted them. Not broken them.
I bring over a carafe of coffee first with cream and sugar. The soft round of thank yous has me grinning as I spin off to grab the platters of food.
It takes me three trips to bring everything over, and maybe I should have enlisted their help to reduce my steps, but really, there’s something about doing this myself that I desperately need.
And none of them argue. Not one comment about me making this harder on myself or how it’s unnecessary. It’s like they know I need this right now.
When I finally sit, I brush my hair back from my face and smile. “Dig in.”
“This smells incredible.”
Their praise is empowering, and I like the idea of being able to take charge of something and have it be mine. I like the idea of taking care of them in the same way I took care of my family.
I don’t want to be stuck at home or in the kitchen, but I’m not left with a lot of means to express myself. Not with the way I’ve built walls with my personality. Not with the drive I have when I’m working.
This is like I’m giving myself a break to check in on the softer parts of my personality I often keep hidden.
Oliver meets my gaze and nods. He’s seen me this way more often than the others if I’m right about how often he watches me. About how long he’s been watching me. Conrad never understood the dynamics of my personality. He would always tell me to not waste my time and just order something in.
Trent is the one who’s examining me more fully. It is because he’s barely let me touch him. Scarcely allowed himself to touch me. To give into the things that are clearly between us.
I wish I knew how long he’s going to make me wait.
I stare back at him without flinching. Those dark eyes give me nothing but his tough exterior, even if I’ve already seen his softer side. The one that protected me and let me cuddle against him in the car. The side that let me kiss him and kissed me back.
But we’re back to where we started.
He’s unwilling to bend.
It’s going to break me.
No one seems inclined to chatter as they eat, so I keep the peace, filling and clearing my plate with ease. I’ve never been shy about food. Or my consumption of it.
They’re not shy about it either. Nor do they comment on my ability to put it away.
But once they’ve all eaten, I drop the bomb I’ve been waiting for.
“So, what did you find in those papers? The encrypted files?”
As expected, all I get in response is a stony silence and three sets of eyes narrowing at me.
I gently place my hands on the table and stand, bent over to give them all a peek of my cleavage. But I’m also taller than them all for once.
The distraction works but only for a second.
“I found them. I deserve to know what’s on them. It’s not my fault I have tits, so don’t treat me like that’s a good enough reason to keep me in the dark about it.”
More silence. I meet each one of their gazes as they stare at me.