Page 39 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
Trudging back to her room she pulled on a pair of skinny jeans, but couldn’t bring herself to change from the warm sleep shirt draped over her frame. That would have to happen sometime between coffee and leaving the house. Her muscles weren’t fully awake or rested, or whatever they were, and she struggled with the button. Once she got it through, she felt her pants drop just a little, but enough that it was uncomfortable.
Stepping in front of the mirror, she saw that the jeans were indeed looser than they were last time. She scowled. Maybe I just need to wash them, she figured. Then they’ll fit again. I probably just haven’t washed them for a long time. Opening the closet, she grabbed a leather belt off a hook and looped it through her waistband.
Better. And that’ll look nice with my shirt later. She knew her tendency to be negative and pouty when she didn’t get a good night’s rest. Now, she reminded herself, was time to put all that reading about positive energy and mindfulness into action.
Easier said than done, she growled as she pulled her big sweater on and shivered. The sun hadn’t gained its warmth yet, so the house still held the cold of the night. She hopped into the kitchen, hoping to get her blood flowing and warm up.
As she reached for the coffee pot, she stopped abruptly and listened. The cats, who were chowing down on breakfast, raised their heads for a moment at a quiet banging noise.
She heard it again. Someone was definitely knocking on the door.
Glancing at the clock on the oven, she raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t even 8:00 yet. Who on earth...
The wooden door was closed in front of the screen door, so she couldn’t get any clues as to who the intruding visitor was. Coffee in hand, she unlocked the dead bolt. “I’m not interested in a morning paper or—”
She stopped when she opened the heavy door all the way.
There, on the other side of the screen door, was Cayden. And he was holding a plate of food in his hands.
Her jaw dropped. “What’s this?”
His lips pressed together when he smiled. “I made you breakfast.”
“I...” She flung open the screen door to let him in. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Isn’t that adorably cliché of you?”
“What’s the occasion?” she asked, ignoring his comment.
He drifted into the kitchen and set the plate down. “A couple of reasons.”
Lillian thought for a moment that he sounded a little embarrassed. “Reasons?”
“Last time you wouldn’t eat with me—”
“That makes me sound like an idiot.”
Cayden shook his head. “You’re not, but I’ll admit that it felt like you were one.”
“The other reason?”
“I’m sorry about last night.” His voice came out hard and fast, and his light blue eyes pierced her skull. She hadn’t seen him look this intensely at her before; there was no hint of a smile on his face. “I know I came across like an idiot.”
“I shouldn’t have come over,” she countered.
“No, I’m glad you did.”
She paused, waiting.
“You were hurt and you told me. I appreciate that.”
After a minute, she fidgeted. “The vibe in here just got pretty tense.”
“I’m not tense. Please don’t think that.” He put his hand next to the plate. “I made pancakes for you. I don’t know if you eat pancakes, but I figured since you have an appointment this morning you could use some extra nourishment.”
The food looked delicious. The first thing she noticed was a tiny daisy resting on top. Slices of banana peeked out from the golden pancakes, and two slices of bacon covered the bottom of the plate. He had just walked in but already the smell was filling the kitchen.
“Where’s yours?” she asked meekly.
