“Not sure. Maybe it came with the villa and we didn’t notice? It does have the name of the lodge on it. We also left the back door open, because there was a giant gray cat napping in here. Not a house cat, like a wild attack cat.” I put the chicken soup, the rice, and the creamy chicken in the microwave first.
Hale poured himself more coffee. “Lynx maybe? One of my brothers is really into animals.” He looked out the glass doors. “There’s a shit-ton of snow.”
Fiona crawled out from under the table, pouting. “I feel shitty.”
“Come here, Puddin’. Carlos made coffee.” Hale opened his arms.
“There’s tea, too.” I held up the box, which was all in German.
“Yes, please.” She nuzzled him.
I started the kettle, then began disassembling the blanket fort, mostly so we could use the table to eat at. The cushions went back onto the couch. I stacked the mattresses to bring back up later. The blankets and pillows all went into a big pile.
Getting Fiona some tea, I stirred the heating food, swapping out the containers for others.
Fiona had disappeared. I started putting food on the table. All the plates were dirty. Likeall of them.So, I set the table with bowls and washed some silverware.
Hale started loading the tiny dishwasher.
“Champagne? Cake? Where did that come from? It also looks like we had eggs and beans at some point? And a steak dinner?” Hale observed, tossing the champagne bottles in the garbage.
I frowned as I sliced some bread. “We probably needed some food. Maybe we ordered room service? But all this points to this not being the next day.”
My chest tightened at the thought.
“Let’s eat and then figure out what happened before you freak out.” Hale hugged me to him.
My nose wrinkled. He needed a fucking shower.
So did I.
But I let him hold me, getting reassurance from his touch. It would be fine. We’d feel better after eating some food.
Hale looked around, still holding me. “Where are Dusty and Saoirse?"
“Upstairs in my bedroom.” Fiona came downstairs in some pajamas. “I’m full of hickeys. We absolutely had a sex party.”
“Is that a complaint?” I grabbed her and covered her in kisses.
She laughed. “No. But I wish I remembered more of it. Is food ready?” Fiona eyed the table. “I’m so hungry.”
“Yes. Go get Saoirse and Dusty.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Are they in bed together?” Hale grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth.
Her eyebrows rose. “We know they fuck.”
“They must have made up. Good.” I poured a cup of coffee for Saoirse and set it on the table along with the bread.
Fiona went back upstairs. I got coffee for Dusty then refilled mine.
Even with the few things I’d done to tidy up, the room was still a mess. Whathadhappened?
But first, breakfast.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Saoirse
