“You mean avocado toast,” Derek said.
Lark slowly shook his head once. “Nope. It’s avocado bread. Mick can explain.”
With that, he turned and stalked back to the kitchen.
I turned curious eyes to Mickayla who smiled. “You’re gonna love it. It’s bread with avocado baked in.”
“That sounds whacked,” Derek said.
Mickayla shook her head. “There’s a baker with a bunch of YouTube shorts.”
“The one who does the vintage recipes?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, and Lark made one of those recipes. It’s way better than I expected it to be. It goes perfectly with the BEG bowl.”
I picked up my ice water. “I hope you’re right.”
Natasha made eye contact with Dad. “I’m telling Nate about her problems.”
“Not sure what he’s gonna do—”
Natasha frowned. “Nate's a police officer.”
“Oh,” Dad muttered. “Where is he working? Is he even in Gainesville?”
“He’s with the county.”
“That’s kind of you, but—,” I started.
“But, nothing,” Natasha said.
“Mom, Nate could make things worse,” Derek said.
Natasha turned to him. “Since when are you on their side?”
Derek tipped his head at me. “I’m onherside. If she needs the police, she knows who to call.”
Natasha aimed her stern gaze at me. “You better be careful, you hear? Especially if Porter didn’t get the message.”
I smiled. “Trust me, I’m redefining careful, I’m being so vigilant.”
Natasha’s gaze cut to Mom. “Reminds me of you during your troubles.”
Our food was delivered, and conversation trailed off as we all began to eat. In no time, I leaned back and put my hand on my belly.
“Are you gonna make it?” Dad asked me.
“Yes. That was a lot of food.”
Mom leaned forward and made eye contact with me. “That’s an understatement. My portions could have been cut in half and I still would have had a lot of food.”
Later Sunday night, Rafferty turned off his bedside lamp, twisted in bed toward me, and pulled my back to his front. “Did you get a show at brunch?”
I chuckled. “No. It slipped my mind. I’d meant to ask if either of the triplets told Lark about the woman showing up.”
“Not your business,” Rafferty said with a sigh that gave away how tired he was.
“You’re right.”
