“We tell her,” I confirm. “After we serve her this extremely average breakfast and pray she values intent over taste.”
“These pancakes are good,” Liam protests, offended, picking one up with his fingers. “Better than good, actually.”
I smirk. “Then I hope her standards are as low as yours.”
“The effort and the bacon will carry us,” Felix announces, sliding perfectly crisp strips onto a plate. “Nobody can resist good bacon. It’s science.”
We work in a companionable silence for a few more minutes, and I swear something about this simple moment feels significant.
Like the first normal morning after a really long night.
“Whipped cream?” Liam asks, holding up a can he’s unearthed from the back of the fridge.
“Is that even a question?” Felix laughs.
“Go on. If we’re doing this, we might as well go all in.” I smile.
Yeah.
We’re going to be okay.
Chapter nineteen
Naomi
My eyes flutter open, and for a second I don’t remember where I am.
I turn my face into the pillow and inhale.
There's faintest trace of something warm and alpha that makes my muscles want to melt and stay here forever.
…which is not ideal.
I stop mid-rub, eyes snapping fully open.
Wait. How am I smelling anything at all? The DuoBlocks should have my senses locked down tight. I should not be luxuriating in any kind of "mmm, alpha" vibe right now, no matter how faint.
Maybe it's just my omega brain filling in the blanks. Yeah. That must be it. Aftershocks from last night, my first truly good sex in… way too long. My brain and body are probably doing some kind of chemical victory lap, conjuring phantom scents or something.
I push the thought away and sit up.
My bikini’s on the floor. Someone has folded a sweater and leggings and set them neatly on the armchair.
The little gesture does something strange and fizzy in my chest.
I dress, running my fingers through my hair in a half-hearted attempt to tame it, and as I cross toward the door, I notice another one half-open off to the side.
It's an en suite bathroom. A folded washcloth and toothpaste sit on the sink, and if this room's stocked like mine was, there'll be a new toothbrush in the drawers.
Alright then. Let's get ready for the day.
* * *
I crack the bedroom door open, and that's when I smell it.
Coffee.
Bacon.
