Page 376 of Ruthless Court

My kitchen.

Bare feet.

Red-and-black flannel pajama pants.

Faded Stranger Things shirt.

Tortoiseshell glasses.

Hair loose down her back.

There’s a streak of flour near one cheek.

A stack of waffles sits on a platter beside her while another cooks in the iron.

For a second, I forget the three idiots pushing into the room behind me.

This is dangerously close to domestic.

I like it.

Way too much.

Then Hannah looks up.

Her eyes land on me.

Smile.

Then over my shoulder.

Her eyes widen.

“Vale?”

Vale spreads both arms.

“Knew it.”

I look at him.

“Knew what?”

He points at Hannah.

“She’s happier to see me.”

Hannah immediately shakes her head.

“No.”

Vale’s confidence cracks.

“No?”

“Absolutely not.”

She looks at me.