Page 134 of Stanton Unconditional

CHAPTER 21

Natasha

I wake to the sound of talking in the kitchen. I frown and look around. I pull myself out of bed, put my pajamas back on and head out, and there I see it. My heart warms at the sight of Joshua sitting at the kitchen counter on a stool in his complete suit talking to Mum who is making bacon and eggs. “How many eggs?” she asks

“Two please,” he answers, as he casually flicks through the paper.

“This is my favorite start to the day ever,” I smile as I hunch my shoulders in excitement and clap my hands in front of me.

Joshua and Mum both frown at me in question.

“Having breakfast with my two favorite people of course,” I smile as I walk around to Joshua and put my arm over his shoulder and around his neck. His eyes flick to Mum.

“It’s okay,” I say.

He subtly shakes his head at me to signal silence, this is shy Joshua at his adorable best.

Mum has her back to us, and Joshua reaches over and grabs my hand as he gives me a wink.

“What are you doing today?” I ask.

He raises his brows. “I’m going to go for a surf and then train at the gym, go to the hospital and then Adrian and Ben want to see me about a few things and then I suppose it’s back to work tonight.”

I nod and smile at Mum as she hands me a cup of coffee. “Why do you need to train?” Shit, that bloody fight. I knew it.

“Tash, I train every day, you know that.”

“How long do you train for?” I ask as I take another bite of toast.

He shrugs. “Couple of hours I suppose.” Hmm, that’s why he always looks like he’s been photoshopped.

“Are you still going to the gym?” he asks as he smirks.

Of all the nerve! I widen my eyes at him. “Of course.” Not really, I can never be bothered, but I will from now on. Mental note, get to the gym today, you lazy bitch.

Mum puts our bacon and eggs onto the countertop. “Here you are, I’m going to get ready to go to the hospital. Enjoy.” She smiles and rubs Joshua’s arm as she walks past us.

Joshua’s horrified face drops to his breakfast and I giggle. “Don’t you like bacon and eggs?” I ask.

He smiles. “Yes, of course.” He picks up his knife and fork and starts to pick at it.

I smile with my cutlery in my hands. “When was the last time you had a breakfast like that?”

He shrugs. “Probably five years ago.”

I frown. “Why?”

“I don’t like feeling like shit and how I train and what I eat determines that.” I smile and nod. Shit, I had better find some hard-core motivation somewhere and soon.

“Can you stay here again tonight?” he asks.

I frown. “Josh, I am ok at home. I have been having these nightmares all along and even if I were here, I wouldn’t wake Mum up anyway.”

His face drops. “Can you just humor me please?”

I smile and rub my hand up his leg as I remind myself, he is only being over the top caring. “Okay,” I sigh.

“Can you humor me?” I ask.