But now there are rules. And I’m nothing if not a respectful, rule-abiding houseguest.
Even if I’m staring at the way she flips those eggs like she’s on the goddamn Food Network.
Do I have a kitchen kink? I do now.
“So,” I say, cracking two eggs into the pan beside her, “big plans today?”
“Thinking about writing. Or avoiding writing. Depends on my mood. You?”
“Gotta meet the team over at Riverbend Stadium this afternoon.”
“Ah, yes. The glamorous life of professional baseball.”
“Minor league baseball,” I remind her. “We don’t get glamour. We get four-hour bus rides and no dental.”
She laughs. “So hot.”
“You’re mocking me.”
“Maybe a little.”
We eat together, side by side at the kitchen island like we’re a couple on a Saturday morning while Jack Johnson plays—which we’re definitelynot.I’m not allowed to think that.
“No flirting, Logan.”
She says it too quickly, like it’s rehearsed.
Maybe she’s already had to say it to herself a few times.
I lift my hands in surrender. “Not flirting. Just stating a fact. You’re…pleasant company.”
She narrows her eyes. “Pleasant?”
“Well now Iamflirting. Because that was a lie. You’re chaotic. You hoard coffee mugs, your alarm is a screaming goat, and I’m pretty sure you just used vanilla oat milk in your coffee.”
“It was all I had!” she defends, laughing.
“You’re a menace.”
She smirks and takes another bite of toast. “And yet here you are. Volunteering to make me eggs.”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Still not sure what that says about me.”
Silence stretches between us. The space is comfortable—but charged. I take another sip of coffee just to have something to do with my hands.
She finally speaks.
“I meant it, you know. About the rules.”
“I know.”
“I’m serious, Logan. This whole thing—us living here together—it’s already complicated. I’m trying to start over. I left a whole life behind in Dallas to do that.”
I nod slowly. “I get it. Not trying to rain on your parade.”
“I just…need this house to feel like mine again. I need to feel like I’m not about to fall for someone who?—”
She cuts herself off. Her face flushes.
