Gerry squawks in offense, flapping his wings as though to ward off predators. I notice he’s wearing a diaper now, which makes me giggle.
Hearing the commotion, Kellan glances over his shoulder. “I thought you might be hungry after last night.”
Last. Night.
Heat floods my veins, and I almost moan at the memories. How attentive he’d been. How absolutely starving.
I draw the blanket around me and get up off the couch. “Famished…but nothing you’re frying in that pan is going to satisfy my hunger.”
His head jerks as he turns again to look at me, one eyebrow arched. “Oh?”
Without another word, I head into the bathroom to freshen up.
Breakfast is served by the time I make it to the table wearing one of Kellan’s oversized shirts and my tiniest pair of panties.
Kellan, still shirtless, drags his eyes down my legs, scoots his chair out, and pats his lap. “You win.”
I continue to the table, sitting across from him. “We should probably get a little fuel in our systems first.” I grab a slice of bacon, take a bite, and wink.
He scoffs, stabs his fork into an egg, and takes averydisgruntled bite.
I start in on the home fries, which are made to perfection.
After a few more bites, Kellan nods. “It’s good that we ate first.”
“See—I told you we’d need the fuel.”
He smirks. “It’s not just about the fuel. It’s about us, and our boundaries.”
“Boundaries?”
“First and foremost, you are here to figure out your life, and anything that happens between us,” he points his fork at me, then back to himself, “is to take a back seat until you’re squared away.”
“Soooo….what you’re saying is: to help me out, you’re going to keep me in a constant state of frustration?”
“I didn’t say that. We can…alleviate certain stressors that arise. Especially if it helps you to keep your nose buried in your books. But there can be no distraction from what’s most important.”
“Then I guess in five years, when I finally pass the test, we’ll get to finally discuss where we stand.”
His face softens. “It’s not going to take you five years to pass that test.” He sighs. “But unfortunately, it’s not just about the test. You need to explore what you want to do with your life.”
My shoulders slump. “I’ve been working in my family’s restaurant since…forever, sometimes working over sixty hours a week. I never really thought about what would come after, because I didn’t think there’d be an after.”
“You’ve been used as cheap labor for far too long, and I’d much rather you explore what you love than cut kitty claws for a living.”
“Does that mean I’m not allowed to groom?”
“No, but I fully expect you to explore your other interests after you pass the test.”
I nod. “Okay, fine.”
“I’ll bring your car to Rosie today.”
My brow scrunches. “Rosie?”
“The local mechanic. I’m not sure how many miles your beater has left on it, but she’ll keep it chugging a bit longer.”
“I can’t afford?—”
