Page 74 of Burning Bridges Duet

I put on a cute olive-green kimono with a white flower print that I bought on my last shopping trip to cover the rest of me. Looking myself over in the mirror, I like what I see. It’s a funny feeling.

Jaxon told me to be at their house around nine am, and since it’s nearly time to go, I pack my bag. I take some sunscreen with me, as well as my new swimsuit, with a towel and my purse. With my car keys in hand, I leave the apartment.

When I get to their house, I ring the doorbell, and the door is quickly opened.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Chase says, smiling at me, and those words bring butterflies to my belly. He looks biteable.

His curls are half up in a bun, with the lower part falling to his shoulders. His stubble is dark, and his dark blue eyes light up when he sees me.

I need to stop pining after him.

He pulls me into a hug and sniffs my hair, which makes me laugh.

“Hey, you,” I say, stepping into the hallway and taking off my sandals. It smells fantastic, and my belly starts to growl. I slap a hand over my stomach and look at Chase with wide eyes, but he barks out a laugh.

“Come on. Jax went all out with breakfast for us, and he’s a fucking good cook.”

He puts a hand on my lower back and guides me into the kitchen that is attached to the living room and has a big table with space for at least eight people. I remember that Jaxon made fantastic snacks for our movie night. I’ve never in my life had such good popcorn, and the nachos were a dream, but now I’m standing in front of a table loaded with breakfast foods—eggs in all forms, avocado toast, fruit, yogurt bowls, and so much more. My eyes go wide, and I look at Jaxon.

“Woah, you did all this?” I ask, stunned, and he just nods, but I see a bit of pride shining in his eyes. River and Ryder enter the kitchen, both looking handsome as always, and both kiss me hello deeply. My head is spinning a bit as Jaxon guides me to a stool and sits me down.

“Let’s eat, guys, before it gets cold,” he says, while sitting down in the seat beside me.

“Or before Liv starves,” Chase says with a chuckle. “Her belly already protested.” I shoot him a glare, but he just laughs.

“I saved my appetite for this,” I grumble, but Jaxon takes my plate and starts to fill it with a bit of everything.

“How do you like your eggs, sunshine?” he asks.

“Scrambled, please,” I reply, smiling at him, and he smirks back, putting a plate in front of me.

“You look beautiful today, Liv,” River says over the table, and I blush.

“Fucking stunning,” Ryder agrees, and I laugh.

“Oh, shut up, you two,” I scold.

Chase, who’s sitting on my other side, puts a hand on my shoulder. “The dickheads are right.” I look at Jaxon, and he is already looking at me.

“Like sunshine incarnate,” he whispers, and my heart nearly bursts. Ugh, these men.

Jaxon’s breakfast is so delicious that I can’t help but groan with pleasure after every bite.

“Oh my god, Jaxon,” I say, taking another spoonful of eggs and avocado. I drop my head back and hear Ryder and River chuckle. When I open my eyes, I see Jaxon looking at me with a mixture of pride and heat.

“You like it?” he asks.

“Like it? God, I want to bathe in it,” I reply, grabbing a small bowl of yogurt and fruit and closing my eyes again as I hum in delight. After a few more bites, I can’t help but praise Jaxon some more for his cooking skills. “Why don’t you have a café or a brunch place, Jaxon? You could make good money with this. This is the best breakfast I’ve ever had, and I’ve been to some fancy places,” I compliment him.

“We’ve been telling Jaxon to open a restaurant for a while now,” he explains. “He doesn’t like the long hours though.”

“That’s bullshit because he stays in the studio far longer than restaurant hours,” Ryder adds, and Jaxon flips him off.

“Yeah, a restaurant is a lot, but a cute little breakfast place with coffee and brunch that closes at two pm? That would fit you so well, and you would have much more time for yourself,” I point out, and Jaxon looks at me critically.

“You think I could do that?” he asks, and I laugh.

“Jaxon, I think you could do anything you want,” I say. “You’re the most determined person I’ve ever met, but I also think you would do amazing. I mean, look at this!” I point at the table loaded with food. “That’s not only a talent, it’s a passion. Think about it.”