I watched him pull everything together to start a pot, and I turned back to the griddle, staring at the bacon. The kitchenwas quiet as we both moved. I could hear the coffee brewing, and I flipped the bacon.
“What are your plans today?”
I looked to my right as Brandon set a coffee mug next to me. I could tell he had mixed in creamer and milk, turning it a softer brown. I felt my heart clench because I’d never told him that. He’d clearly seen me do it enough to know how I took my coffee.
“I have work, and Ilsa has daycare. Your plans?”
“Work,” he said with a shrug as he slid into a chair next to me. “I’ll be out late, so I won’t be home for dinner.”
I nodded as I pulled the bacon off the griddle and started placing another packet onto the griddle. Brandon watched me as he took a sip of his coffee.
Before I could say anything, footsteps came down the stairs. We both looked up as Ilsa stepped off the landing. She was rubbing her eyes, her hair was everywhere, and her pajamas were crinkled. I could instantly tell she had slept hard and was probably still clinging to sleep.
“Morning, sweetie,” I spoke softly as she walked toward us, yawning as she did.
Brandon smiled at her, and I could see love in his eyes. I knew it ate him up seeing her and not being able to tell her the truth.
“Morning, Ilsa. You look like you slept well.”
She nodded. “I did.” Brandon offered her a hand up as she crawled into a chair. She sat down with a huff, and I grabbed a plate to start preparing her breakfast.
“We don’t have daycare for a while. You could have slept a little more, sweetie. It’s only a little before six.”
Ilsa shook her head. “I could smell it.”
I nodded as I slid her the plate. Ilsa instantly took a bite of the bacon and smiled. “It’s good.”
“Is it?” Brandon asked, before reaching over and grabbing a piece. My hand moved, and I smacked his hand, but I wasn’t quick enough. Brandon smirked as he popped the piece into his mouth. “It is,” he said, giving Ilsa a nod.
Ilsa giggled, taking another bite.
My stomach twisted up. It all felt so real, too much like an actual family. I knew that was the point, but suddenly it sickened me. Of course, it would confuse Brandon into thinking I wanted more because we were like this. A real family.
“You okay?” Brandon asked, giving me a concerned expression.
I quickly nodded, forcing a smile into place. I stuffed the worry down, knowing I needed to. I couldn’t let Ilsa catch on to my worry.
After we finished eating, Ilsa and I got ready to go. We were out of the house and at the daycare a few minutes after it opened. I kissed Ilsa on the top of her head before she ran over to play in the art corner.
I was leaving and glanced at my watch, knowing I still had time before work. I pulled my phone up and called Nora instead. It rang a few times before she answered.
“Jesus, you’re up early.”
I smirked. “Do you have time before work? I could meet you at the park near your work.”
Nora was quiet for a moment before she spoke. “Did something happen?”
“Not really,” I said softly, knowing I was probably just making a big problem out of nothing. “I just have time.”
“Okay, sure. I can meet you there in twenty.”
I nodded, hung up, and started driving over to the park. Twenty minutes later, sitting on the bench, I spotted Nora. She waved as she walked, looking like a breath of fresh air.
“Morning,” she said as she popped herself onto the bench. “So, why are we here so bloody early in the morning?”
I smirked, knowing she knew that something was wrong. We had always been able to sense that with each other.
“We kissed.”
