“Stan? What on earth is going on in there?”
Because my mother didn’t believe in boundaries, she opened the door. Her concerned expression turned amused when she took in the sight of both of us, decently covered, Kitty halfway to straddling my lap.
“Stan, is this really the moment for seducing your girlfriend?”
“It’s fine, Lauren. I was only going to sit on his knee.”
“You modern girls.” She hummed. “How are you, dear?”
“Aching. Sore. But relieved to be here.”
Matri’sgaze flickered over to me. “You’re taking care of her?”
“Of course.” I scowled. “You expect differently?”
“No, but I know what you and your brother are like. What I expect is for you to go off half-cocked and start a fight when what Kitty needs is for you to be by her side.”
While I cringed because she had a point, Kitty answered, “He’s being very thoughtful, Lauren.”
“If you say so, dear. Would you like something to eat? If you’re aching, then stay in the water. I can bring a tray.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
Kitty, shyly, asked for some breakfast, and I, unshyly, requested, “Four eggs, a stack of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and beans, please,Matri.”
Her eyes lit up with joy. “Of course! Right away! Do you want some black pudding?”
“We have some?”
“Yes. Do you want hotel toast?”
I beamed at her. “Please. With extra marmalade.”
OnceMatridashed off, Kitty sidled her way onto my lap with a wince.
“She seemed really happy you were hungry.”
“She’s a feeder,” I dismissed.
“She doesn’t need to cook for us.”
“She isn’t. We have staff.”
“You like black pudding, huh?”
“I do.” I gently tapped her wrinkled nose. “I prefer the British blood sausage to the Sicilian version.”
“And beans?”
“British staple. We spent our summers in England and took up a lot of their traditions, more thanPatriwould have liked.” My lips quirked. “Good times.”
“Hotel toast?”
“Toast with butter and orange marmalade. Also a family tradition.” I settled my arms around her waist. “I can share. Your fruit salad wouldn’t feed a mouse.”
“Yours, on the other hand, would feed a house.”
