“I’m up,” she mutters, dragging out a chair and slumping into it.
“You didn’t have to get up so early.” Her hatred of single digit morning hours is nothing new, but I still snicker. “I don’t have to leave for another hour and a half.” She’s keeping an eye on Maisy today, and even though he doesn’t want it, keeping an eye on Tyler, too.
Pen shakes her head but rests it on her propped elbow. “I need coffee and a shower before I can be responsible for the lives of others,” she says around a yawn.
Nina’s at the coffee pot. “Can I pour you a cup?” Her voice is so soft, I wonder how Pen can hear her.
But Pen’s eyes brighten. Her head just looks too heavy to lift. “That would be spectacular.”
I roll my eyes. “You shouldn’t make her pour your coffee, Pen. It’s Nina’s day off.”
“It’s all right,” Nina says, putting her hand on a third mug and smiling meekly at me. “You want one?”
“Well,” My mouth twitches, “if you’re offering.”
Pen snorts. “Hypocrite.”
Nina giggles at our banter. It’s the first time I’ve heard her laugh. It’s a sweet, tinkling sound that seems to surprise even her.
I take down three plates. I’ve learned in the last week that if I want Nina to eat enough, I have to serve her. She’ll clean her plate, but if I let her serve herself, she only takes the smallest morsels of food. So instead of making it obvious, I just serve everyone.
Pen sits up when I slide her plate in front of her. “Ooh, Stella, darling! Biscuits, eggs, and sausage. You’re getting the hang of this boarding house thang.”
“It smells so good.” Even though her compliment is just above a whisper, I hear Nina’s worshipful tone, and I have to keep my grin under control as I set down her plate.
I’m carrying my own plate back to the table when Tyler practically crashes into the kitchen, yanking a shirt over his head, his hair sticking up in nine directions.
“Whoa! What’s up?” I ask.
His eyes are on Nina, who freezes at his arrival. Their gazes lock for a second before Nina’s drops to her lap.
Tyler looks out of breath. Like he raced out of bed to get dressed.
He stares at Nina, not moving.
“Tyler, want some breakfast?” I wave my plate in front of him, and he finally looks at me and nods.
I purposefully move it as far away from Nina as possible, which isn’t very far since the table can only fit six. I don’t want Nina to worry that she has another stalker.
But when I turn back to the stove to make a new plate, I can’t help but notice that when Nina tucks one side of her hair back behind her ear, a gentle smile is playing on her lips.
God help them.
This, of course, is the moment four-year-old footsteps slap down the hall, and Maisy tears into the room in her ruffled blue nightgown.
“Mama! I have to tee-tee!”
“Well, go on then,” I say, setting down my plate and shooing her back toward the bathroom while Pen and Nina try to smother their laughter. “We don’t need a news flash.”
Maisy skids to a halt on her heels and turns around to dash back the way she came.
“Don’t forget to wipe, flush, and wash your hands!” I call after her. I turn back to the table to find Livy in the doorway, looking startled. I blush. “Morning, Livy. Sorry about that. Maisy’s still learning.”
Pen wheels around in her chair, her hand flying to her head scarf until she sees that Livy is wearing a black one of her own. I watch my best friend bite down on her smile. She takes in Livy’s fuschia wrap and matching mule heeled slippers with obvious appreciation.
“Morning, Livy,” she says, getting to her feet. “Can I get you some coffee?”
I want to palm my forehead, but I resist. Livy tilts up her chin. “Thank you. No. I drink tea.” She cuts her eyes to me. “Ethically sourced, if you have it.”
