“We were just about to eat breakfast. Wanna join?”
She hesitates, shifting on her feet.
I lean to rest my shoulder on the door frame, crossing one foot over the other. “I tell you want. I made breakfast, and I’m not going to let those two monsters eat it all, so how about you join me in the kitchen and if you feel inclined, you can help yourself to a plate.”
Aura glances past me then shrugs. “Okay. I wouldn’t want you to miss breakfast on my behalf.”
“Excellent. Shall we?” I push myself upright and offer her my hand.
She eyes it suspiciously and I remember she doesn’t like being touched so I reach up to run it through my hair and turn away.
Caleb and Shayla are digging in as we pass through the door but they both look up as we walk in. Caleb nods in a welcoming way, but Shayla’s eyes narrow.
I pull out a chair for Aura, then head over to the oven to fix myself a plate. While I’m at it, I throw a little of everything onto a second plate.
Placing the second plate in the middle of the table, I sit down turning to Aura. “No pressure. But if you’re hungry help yourself.” I gesture to the extra serving and pick up a piece of crispy bacon.
Aura spins the silver ring on her finger then picks up her coffee to take another sip.
“So, Aurelia, how are you liking Hollow Hills so far? Little different than Hollywood, I’d guess.” Caleb says after swallowing his mouthful of eggs.
“It’s Aura.” I correct him.
Aura tilts her head. “It’s beautiful. So peaceful. Definitely a nice change. Although the smell is going to take some getting used to.”
Shayla’s features tighten. “Nobody asked you to come here. If you don’t like it, you’re free to head back to LA any time.” Her tone is sharp and mean. My sister is a lot of things. Impatient and stubborn, but she’s not usually mean.
“Shayla!” I say.
Aura shrinks back into her chair.
“Quint’s right. That’s not the way we treat guests here.” Caleb glares at our sister.
“Whatever. I’ve got to go, anyway. I don’t have time for this.” Shayla’s chair scrapes the floor as she pushes it backand then she walks over to the sink, dumping her half finished breakfast into the trash and dropping her plate into the sink with a clatter.
She marches out of the kitchen without a backward glance.
“I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” Caleb says.
“It’s fine.” Aura shakes her head, but her shoulders are tense and I feel like any progress toward friendship we’ve made has been erased by my sister’s shitty attitude.
“No, it’s not. I don’t know what’s up with her, but I can tell you one thing, it’s not you. I’m not excusing her, but don’t want you to feel unwelcome.”
“I’m good.”
“You sure you don’t want something to eat?” my brother asks. “Quint makes a good breakfast. Not as good as me of course, but it’s passable.”
Finally, Aura’s lips curl up in a tight smile, but she shakes her head. “I grabbed one of those wraps at Love Grind. I don’t know what Leanora puts in them, but they’re addictive.”
“True story,” I say, shoveling one last mouthful before getting up to clear my plate. I call to Caleb over my shoulder. “Guess you’re cleaning up since I did the cooking.”
He sighs. “That’s your game, eh? Make breakfast for everyone so you don’t have to clean up?”
“Who me? Nah. I just need to be getting to the barn with Aura, right?”
“Hey, don’t bring me into this. I know better than to get in the middle of two siblings.”
“We would never do that to you, but I guess he’s right. I don’t want to be keeping you, so why don’t you head on down to the barn for your lesson?”
