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They finally got ready and I pushed them downstairs so I could start breakfast.
Today was cinnamon French toast with cream cheese drizzle, sausage, and fruit salad, and I was pulling out some berries when two people entered the kitchen that I didn’t expect.
“Good morning,” Sadie said, and I dropped both boxes.
“Mom?!” Riley and Zoey both shrieked at the same time, leaping up from the couch and running to hug their mother, who wore one of their dad’s robes that was too long and dragged along the ground. Her hair was disheveled, and it was obvious that she had spent the night. I gaped at her as Mark rounded the corner, but he wore his regular work clothes.
Riley and Zoey jumped up and down even as Sadie blushed and even Mark was red.
I leaned down to pick up the berries to give them some privacy. I tossed them into a colander to wash and stood up.
“Good morning,” I said, my voice squeaking.
“Nice to see you, Layne,” Sadie said, running her hand through her tangled hair.
“Nice to see you,” I said, pretending this was a thing we did all the time.
I hummed to myself as I washed the berries and the twins chattered away to Sadie before she said she had to go get dressed.
I had the distinct feeling that Honor was hiding, so I excused myself and went to search for her, finding her in Mark’s office staring at her computer, but not doing anything.
“Oh my god,” I said, closing the door behind me. “Did you see Sadie?”
“Yes,” Honor said. “I can’t believe their plan worked.”
“I can’t believe it either,” I said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this shocked in my life. Except for maybe when you kissed me that first time.”
“I shocked myself with that one,” she said.
“My mind is officially blown,” I said. “I’m supposed to be making breakfast, but I don’t know how to deal with this situation.” I looked at her and begged with my eyes.
“You want me to come with you,” Honor said. It wasn’t a question.
“Yes?” I said. “Please?”
Honor leaned back in her chair. “You’re lucky you’re so cute when you beg.”
She stood from her chair and followed me back out to the kitchen.
Riley and Zoey were still excitedly talking to Mark, and I guess Sadie must have gone to get dressed.
“Are we ready for breakfast?” I asked, hating how fake my voice sounded.
“You haven’t cooked anything,” Riley said, and Mark gave her a look. “What? She hasn’t.”
“Why don’t you go and help her, then?” Mark said, shoving both of them.
I pulled the rest of the ingredients out and started whipping the eggs and half-and-half and spices for the batter.
“Which bread did you need?” Honor asked, and I almost knocked the bowl off the counter. Everything was upside down today.
“Uh, that one,” I said, pointing to the loaf she held in her right hand.
Riley and Zoey stared at Honor as if she was an alien. I mean, I guess she was.
“Thanks,” I said to Honor as she handed me the bread and then washed her hands in the sink.
“Did you have a sleepover, too?” Riley asked Honor. She flicked her panicked gaze at me.
