Page 118 of Blood and Bonbons

“Gunther.”

“Oh. I suppose that’s good. I think they’re sort of friends, right?”

He raised a brow.

“Or maybe not,” I said quickly. “It’s not like Sierra’s really a person who befriends others.” Still, I had seen her talking to Gunther a few times, which was more than she spoke to anyone else without snark or animosity.

“G’night, Anchor. Thank you.”

“Night. Do you want me to wake you when I leave?”

“Please.”

Not that I had any intention of sleeping in. Anchor got hurt because of me, and he was at least going to get breakfast out of it.

Before I went to bed, I peeked out my bedroom window to see if Cross was outside. If he was, I couldn’t see him.

Disappointed, I rolled into bed and pulled the covers up over my head.

* * *

The next morning, I woke early to the alarm I’d set, knowing Anchor would leave as soon as the sun rose. I quickly dressed, trying to be as quiet as possible, and tiptoed into the kitchen. After a night of fighting and sleeping on the couch, Anchor deserved a very large breakfast.

Using the stovetop light so I wouldn’t wake Anchor with the bright overhead light, I pulled what I needed from the cupboards. Stealthily, I mixed together enough pancake batter for an army of werewolves. I also whipped up eggs for omelets, shredded potatoes for hash browns, and laid strips of bacon on the pan.

By the time it sizzled, I sensed Anchor behind me.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Making breakfast?”

He peeked around me at the pans of food cooking. “How many people are coming over?”

“It’s just us.”

“It smells good, but I think you made too much.”

“You were hurt, and you need fuel to heal.”

“Not that much fuel.”

“Put your clothes in the dryer, and feel free to use the bathroom. I’ll have food ready soon.”

Anchor returned in a few minutes, and I pulled down three plates.

“What do you want to drink? There’s coffee, water, and orange juice.”

“Coffee is good.”

After handing Anchor a heaping plate of food and a large mug of coffee, I went to Vena’s room and knocked on the door before I peeked inside. Even though the sun had begun filtering through the rest of the house, her black-out shade made her room feel like a tomb. It wasn’t like her to sleep in like this.

“Vena,” I whispered.

She groaned. “It’s too early. Unless Anchor is standing naked at my door, I have no reason to get out of bed yet.”

I heard Anchor choke.

“Breakfast is ready. But if you don’t want any, I’ll wrap some up for you to heat later.”

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