Page 82 of Protecting Love

“The best for you,” she pointed out.

“I’d prefer your cousin doesn’t know,” he said dryly.

“Which one is that? I’ve got a lot of them.”

“Don’t be cute.”

“I like being cute. Would you like a coffee? I’m sorry. I didn’t even offer you one and I know you drink it all the time.”

“Actually, I drink two a day. The rest is water.”

And in his black travel mug, he was only letting people see what he wanted them to.

Even something as simple as his drink preference.

She’d have to remember those things.

“How many cups did you have today?”

His lips twitched some. “One.”

She pushed back to make another. Just to busy her hands and mind while she let their conversation process some more.

“I’m assuming you drink it black? That would be right up your alley.”

“Do you always assume things?”

Her shoulders dropped. “No. I try not to.”

He kept eating and reached for more bacon. At least she was providing a good breakfast for him.

“I drink it black.”

“You just had to make me feel bad about that guess, didn’t you?”

“No. Only you can control how you feel, not me.”

“Don’t bet on it,” she mumbled, then put her cup under the spout of her fancy machine that she and London splurged on.

She needed another for herself and carried his to him before she returned for hers.

“Are you going to be testy when I call you out on things?”

“I’m not normally that way. I guess it depends on if you’re calling me out or teasing. Like flirting, and I just need to learn your angles.”

“Does it matter which one it is?”

“It one hundred percent does,” she said firmly.

She grabbed her cup, poured creamer in it, and then went back to sit by him. She was done eating at this point.

“Then I’m teasing. Most times, with you, that is what I’m doing.”

“Wish I knew before.”

“And now you do.”

“But it’s not going to change the first part of your job?”