“Good morning.”
I turn to see him standing in the kitchen behind Lio who’s sitting at the table, having breakfast.
“Why does this feel like déjà vu,” Sloan mutters before leaving her stuff in the hallway and walking over to them.
“Good morning,” she greets softly, but I can see that she’s uncomfortable.
“Morning,” Lio chirps.
“Did you sleep all right?” Hunter asks, prepping another plate with eggs and bacon.
“I did, thank you, and thank you again for everything you did and letting me stay here. You saved my butt last night.” She gives him a grateful smile, and I might see a little red tinge on his cheeks.
Oh, come on, him too?
Isn’t it enough that Nash pines after her like a lost puppy?
At least Hunter would deserve her.
“You’re more than welcome,” he offers, placing the plate in front of the chair next to Lio. “Here, eat.”
“Oh, no, you already did more than enough, really, I just wanted to say goodbye. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“You can’t overstay something you haven’t had in the first place,” North mutters as he strides into the kitchen and goes to the coffee machine.
“Thundercunt!” I greet him, knowing he can’t hear me, but I’m convinced he needs to be called that at least once a day.
Nash comes in just behind him and ruffles Lio’s hair before leaning in and kissing Sloan’s temple, making me clench my teeth.
“Good morning,” he whispers into her ear.
She leans away and glowers at him.
That’s my girl.
“Have you looked out the window, pretty girl? If you couldn’t stay in your van last night, you probably can’t tonight, either.Looks like you’re gonna stay with us for a little while longer,” Nash remarks, trying to steal bacon from the plate Hunter made for Sloan, but Hunter slaps him on the back of his hand.
“Oh no, it’s fine, really. I’m going to talk to Tally and find another solution.”
I scowl at her.
What would that even look like?
“Oh, how considerate of you, refusing the offer of the guy with the big house and free guest rooms just to sponge off a very pregnant woman who lives at her parents-in-law’s place,” North grunts out, taking a sip of his mug.
“North,” Hunter warns, shooting him a glare. But the damage is already done, and I can see Sloan deflate into herself, gnawing on her bottom lip.
Just perfect, now she’s gonna leave here and not ask anybody for help.
Perfectly done, Thundercunt.
“He’s a dick, but he’s right. Just stay here, Sloan. It looks like the weather will get warmer again in a few days. It’s just a drop in temperature. You’ll be back in your van in no time. We like having you here,” Hunter reassures her, navigating her to sit in the chair with his hands on her shoulders.
North puffs out a breath, but Nash grins from ear to ear when he sits next to her. “Ignore him. He’s just grumpy because he can’t go on a morning run with the snow lying around. But Hunter’s right. We like having you here, right, Li-Li?”
Lio nods enthusiastically while shoving another forkful of eggs into his mouth, answering with a muffled “Yes.”
“And we can even carpool to work now.” Nash wiggles his eyebrows at Sloan.
