Page 47 of Eleven of a Kind

“What happened to you last night?” Grayson asked.

“Yeah, we thought you were coming back to the brew house after you drove Piper to her car,” Shaun said.

I didn’t say a word as I put my board in the water and started paddling out.

“You slept with her!” Grayson said.

“Maybe.” I kept paddling.

“That’s my boy.” Simon grinned as he paddled next to me.

“Good for you, cousin,” Stefan said. “How were the girls last night?”

“Pretty good. They were dancing around the living room when I got home. Then they went upstairs to Riley’s room. I barely heard them after that.”

“Are you going to see Piper again?” Jackson asked with a smirk on his face.

“I don’t know. I’ll see her when I pick up Riley from her shop.”

“That’s not what we mean, bro,” Grayson said.

“She’s a great woman, but it was only sex.”

“Sure. Okay.” Sebastian laughed.

“Enough talk about last night. Let’s catch some waves,” I said.

When we were done surfing, I went back to the house. When I opened the sliding door, I saw Ava in my kitchen.

“Ophelia?” I stepped inside.

“Good morning, Gabriel. The girls are going to want a good breakfast when they get up.” She brightly smiled. “I hope you don’t mind.”

The sliding door opened, and Grayson popped his head in. “Is Ava—oh.” He stared at her. “Ophelia, what are you doing?”

“Making breakfast, Grayson. Come in and sit down. I’m making eggs benedict, brioche French toast topped with blueberries and strawberries, and homemade banana nut muffins.”

“What’s that smell?” Riley asked as she and Lily walked down the stairs.

“Ophelia!” Lily ran over and hugged her.

“Hello, sweetheart. Go sit down, and I’ll pour you a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.”

“Dad?” Riley looked at me.

“Riley, this is Ophelia.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Riley.” Ophelia cupped Riley’s chin. “I heard you like coffee. How about I make you one of my special lattes?”

“I’d love that. Thanks, Ophelia.”

We all sat down at the table while Ophelia served us breakfast.

“This is amazing.” Riley smiled as she ate her French toast.

“So, Gabriel,” Lily said. “Where were you last night?”

“I was at the brew house, Lily.”

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