Page 219 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

Andrew slides a steaming mug in front of me, then drops into the chair.

At my breakfast table.

Next to me.

Making me freeze.

‘Cause this isn’t normal.

No one sits there.

My gaze falls to his coffee.

Then drifts to my own.

We’re both having coffee.

At my fucking breakfast table.

Is that… coffee together?

Andrew winks, like⁠—

another check off your wishlist, angel.

I scoff and reach for my coffee.

“So silent treatment’s your play, huh?” he says. A shadow of a grin slips into his mug as he brings it to his mouth.

My eyes bail to the terrace,

to the skyline,

anywhere else.

Honor scratches his jaw. “Just so we’re clear, thought I was here to keep you comin’? But if one of these guys is your man, what’s my lane? ‘Cause I ain’t tryin’ to piss nobody off.”

Silence falls around the kitchen.

A handful of awkward beats pass.

Honor turns to Ben.

“Yo, why ain’t she talkin’?”

“She does that sometimes.”

Honor nods, glancing between Ben and Andrew, then back at me, thumb hitching over his shoulder. “Should I just grab my shit and go?”

“Yes,” Andrew clips,

same time Ben spits, “No.”

The room freezes,

splitting right down the middle.

I sip my coffee.