He steps aside, holding the door open, and I walk in slowly.
“Shoes on or off?” I ask.
“Whatever you prefer,” he says, already kneeling to unclip Skye’s leash, then Neptune’s. His movements are practiced, calm, as if this is just part of his rhythm.
“Come in.”
He heads down the short hallway toward the kitchen, and I follow, taking everything in.
The layout is almost identical to my place—same narrow hallway, same open feel—and when we reach the end, I notice the large window overlooking the ocean. Morning light spills across the living room, catching on furniture that looks worn and comfortable. The room feels lived-in, warm in a way mine still doesn’t.
Near the window, an older man sits in a recliner, a blanket draped over his legs.
Both dogs are already with him, tails wagging as he pets Neptune’s head, and I can tell by how comfortable Neptune is that they have met before.
“Uncle Mike, this is May, our new next-door neighbor.”
The older man turns toward me, his smile immediately warm.
I step forward and offer my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Well, the pretty girl finally appears.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks.
“I was wondering how long it was gonna take my nephew to ask you out.”
“Uncle Mike,” Aiden says from behind me, his tone half warning, half amused.
Mike waves him off. “Are you having breakfast with us?”
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
“You can call me Mike.” He pushes himself up slowly from the chair.
Both dogs instinctively move out of his way. I shift slightly, wondering if I should help, but he finds his footing and starts toward the kitchen on his own.
“C’mon, girl.” He motions me forward. “These biscuits are best when they’re warm.”
I follow him into the kitchen. The table is already set for three. Plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and a basket of steaming biscuits sit in the center. It immediately takes me back to Sunday mornings with mom. Waking up to the smell of fresh biscuits and finding her in the kitchen reading her magazines and drinking her favorite tea. I have to shake the memory out of my head before I start getting emotional.
“Wow. You made all of this? How long was I gone?”
Aiden stands by the counter, filling mugs with coffee.
He glances over his shoulder. “In my defense, the biscuits were already in the oven when you picked up Skye.”
Mike settles into his chair at the table with a knowing grin.
“See? His plan all along. Get you over here and impress you with his baking skills.”
I laugh softly. “I’m already impressed.”
Breakfast moves quietly around me—forks against plates, small questions, easy laughter.
Mike asks about where I’m from, what brought me here, and how Neptune is settling in, and I find myself answering without overthinking.
Comfortable.
