Sunlight warmedthe edge of my pillow, pulling me awake slowly, gently, in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. Before I even reached for my phone, I felt the smile tugging at my mouth.
Last night.
The kiss.
His eyes.
His voice sayingwe can take it slow.
My phone buzzed again, lighting up the nightstand. As I shifted, I felt a warm, familiar weight behind me. Ava must have crawled into bed with me at some point in the night.
My phone buzzed again, lighting up the nightstand.
Alex Prince: Good morning. I had a wonderful night, Eleanor. Thank you.
My breath caught, and that quiet, glowing smile bloomed full force.
Me: I had a wonderful night too.
I pressed the phone to my chest for a second, letting the warmth settle.
Then I heard the sounds downstairs, pans clinking, the faint hum of my mother’s “pleasant hostess” voice.
Perfect.
Ava stirred behind me. "What is the smell?" she murmured.
I turned and wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head before breathing in her sleepy smell. "I think Grandma is making pancakes."
"I love pancakes," she said as the small corner of her mouth curved up.
"Well, let's get dressed and head down."
Ava sat up and stretched before getting out of bed and heading across the hall.
I threw on jeans and a soft T-shirt, ran a brush through my hair, and headed down.
The kitchen stopped me in the doorway.
The table was set like she was expecting company for brunch, filled with eggs, bacon, pancakes, fresh fruit, and even a pitcher of juice, arranged like she’d been waiting to perform.
Ava sat at the table already in pajamas, swinging her feet and eating berries by the handful.
“Good morning!” my mom sang, overly bright, turning from the stove. “I thought we could have a nice breakfast and you could tell us about your date.”
Ahhh, there it was.
I slid into the chair beside Ava. “The table looks beautiful, Mom.”
“Yes, well.” She placed a stack of pancakes in the center like a centerpiece. “I’mdyingto hear how the evening with David went.”
My stomach dropped. “Mom?—”
She waved a dismissive hand. “He’s such a catch. Handsome, polite, great job, great family. I justknewthe two of you would hit it off. So?” She leaned forward. “Tell me everything.”
Ava perked up, curious. “Mom, you said it wasn’t a date?” Her eyes went wide. “You lied?”
Kill me.
