Page 18 of Finding His Fox

“This better be good Ian, you know I’m not a morning—,” I started to say.

When I saw who leaning against the sink, my body froze. It was Cal.

As our eyes met, time seemed to pause and my heart raced, pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, it was just him and me in the kitchen. All my senses were turned up, keenly aware of everything that was Cal.

There was no buzz from the alcohol this time. I was just drunk on him.

The sun poured through the window behind him, giving him an almost ethereal quality. His eyes were icy blue, but all I could feel was the heat from his gaze.

His woodsy scent cut through the various smells in the kitchen, which smelled like… bacon?

My stomach grumbled at the thought, snapping me out of my daze. I looked around and found Rory narrowing his eyes at Cal.

Rory gave a loud cough, which seemed to startle Cal back into attention.

Meanwhile, Josie was plating up food from several containers, but I could see she was trying to cover up a smile.

“Look what Cal’s brought. Breakfast!” Josie said cheerfully.

“Wow, thanks,” I said to Cal.

I pulled out a chair. Before I could sit down, Josie grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me towards the kitchen backdoor.

“No no. I’m setting up a table by the yard. It’s a beautiful morning. Best to enjoy breakfast outside,” Josie said.

She let me go and started to drag Cal outside instead, who looked too surprised to protest.

I was suddenly very aware that I was only wearing boxers underneath my robe. I quickly darted to the foyer, where there was a mirror.

Damn it. Why didn’t Josie say who it was when she called me earlier?

I could’ve at least put on a shirt and some pants. And combed my hair, which was sticking up in all directions.

I was in panic mode. Dipping my fingers in the water in the flower vase by the table, I tried to tame my hair as best as I could.

I tightened the belt on my robe and hoped it wouldn’t be too obvious I was barely wearing anything.

Thank goodness I always brushed my teeth first thing in the morning.

Josie found me and pulled me so hard I thought my arm was going to come out of its socket.

My robe loosened a little, but I had no time to fix it again.

The table was set beautifully. Fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes. All of my favorites. Did Cal make all this?

Cal pulled out the chair closest to me and I sat down. He walked around the table and took the seat across from me.

The big oak tree shaded our table and, more importantly, the sun.

What a relief. I didn’t think I could go through breakfast, let alone a conversation with Cal looking distractingly like a golden god.

“If you need anything, just give a holler, alright?” Josie said with a smile.

She placed a bud vase with a flower at the center of the table before leaving us. That woman was a robot.

Where did she find the time to set the table, let alone pluck a flower for the vase? Which really wasn’t necessary.