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Lachlan
I lifted the underside of the pancake, checking the color. Satisfied, I flipped the batch. Who knew I’d become an expert at making pancakes? Or at least more comfortable making them than I was during my first attempt all those months ago.
When I woke up this morning, the same tension that had permeated my house since yesterday was present. If anything, it was thicker, considering it had now been twenty-four hours and there hadn’t been one viable lead as to Nick’s whereabouts. I was beginning to worry he might never be found.
It didn’t help that his escape was the headline news story across the nation. To make matters worse, some reporters even interviewed security consultants, asking how easy it would be for Nick to start life again under a new identity.
That wasn’t something any of us wanted to consider.
So, in an effort to enjoy some sort of normalcy, I turned off the TV, telling Julia and Imogene there’d be no talk of Nick, his escape, or anything remotely related to it for the next hour. Instead, we’d enjoy a normal breakfast on a normal Sunday.
For the past half-hour, as Imogene helped me whip up the batter, Julia watching us work together, everything was normal.
And I desperately needed normal, especially if I was expected to get on a plane tonight and fly to the opposite side of the country.
Just as I finished flipping the pancakes, the doorbell rang. I opened the app on my phone to see Nikko’s imposing frame standing on my front porch.
“Nikko?” Julia arched a single brow in question.
When I told her I’d taken him up on his offer to come keep an eye on things while I was away, I braced myself for an argument. Surprisingly, she thought it was a good idea. Even confessed she’d feel much better having Nikko here, too. I couldn’t blame her. Nikko was an intimidating guy. Once aspired to be an MMA fighter…until his father died in the line of duty and he decided to follow in his legacy.
“Can you take over for a minute?” I asked her.
She took the spatula from me. “Of course.”
After placing a kiss on her temple, I made my way to the foyer and opened the door.
“Pohili,” Nikko greeted. He gave me a quick hug, our foreheads touching briefly before he pulled back. “Howzit? You all hanging in?”
“We are. Thanks for being here. It means a lot.”
“Like I said… Anything for ohana. You need me here, I’m here. No questions.”
I held his gaze, giving him an appreciative smile. I didn’t realize how much I missed having him around. He’d always been a voice of reason. Always offered me advice when I needed it. Always kept me grounded, even as my star continued to rise.
And despite any length of time we went without speaking to or seeing each other, he’d always drop everything if I needed him.
Like now.
He sniffed the air, the aroma of vanilla, sugar, and maple surrounding us, a smile slowly forming on his face. “Is Julia baking?”
“Actually, I was just making pancakes.”
He gave me a sideways glance, raising a brow. “You? Cooking? Since when?”
I shrugged. “Since Julia.”
“Damn, bruh.” He shook his head, patting my back. “Julia looks good on you.”
I smiled slyly. “In more ways than one.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “I’m happy for you. Truly. You deserve this.”
“Thanks, cousin. Come on. I’ll introduce you to Imogene.”
I started toward the kitchen, Nikko following. The second we turned the corner, both Julia and Imogene looked up from where they stood, side by side, preparing breakfast.
In my kitchen.
