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“I’d like blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes,” Eloise said, “and scrambled eggs and bacon and orange juice that’s freshly squeezed, please!”
“Now, now, Eloise. That’s a bit much. I’m sure Amelia has better things to do than to cook you up such a breakfast.”
“No, that sounds absolutely delicious,” Amelia said with a smile. “Would you like the same thing as well, Arya?”
“Actually, I’m just going to have some toast and get ready. Want to hit the streets and see if I can find a job.”
“It’s so sad about what happened at the bar,” Amelia said, shaking her head. “My apologies for my son. I know he meant well, but…”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “I understood where he was coming from, but you know, I kind of need a paycheck.” I looked down at the floor slightly embarrassed. I didn’t want Amelia to think I was begging for money or a handout because I really wasn’t and I’d absolutely die if she offered me any money.
“I know, dear. Don’t worry. Do you want to go get ready? I’ll have some toast and coffee ready for you in a couple of minutes.”
“That’s perfect, thank you. Eloise, I’m just going to go and change. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, Auntie Arya. I’m going to help Grandma Amelia.”
“Sounds good,” I said as I headed out of the kitchen.
I walked back down the corridor and stopped dead when I saw a Chet standing outside my bedroom door. “What are you doing?” I hissed as I hurried up to him.
“What do you mean what am I doing? I woke up expecting to find you next to me and you were gone.”
“Well, I had to go and check on Eloise.”
“You could have woken me up and said goodbye.”
“I don’t think so, Chet. Last night was a mistake.”
“Last night was a mistake?” he cut me off, raising an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes, it was.”
“So you weren’t pleasured?”
“That’s got nothing to do with it. It was fun. But—”
“But what? Aren’t we going to tell my mother that we’re engaged?”
“No,” I shook my head quickly. “That’s not a good idea.”
“What do you mean? I thought it was a perfect idea. You seemed to agree with me last night.”
“I wasn’t in my right mind. I don’t want to lie. I’m not going to tell your family we’re engaged when we’re not. It’s not cool. I don’t want to get their hopes up. I don’t want to get Eloise’s hopes up.”
“Hmm,” he said, pressing his lips together. “But I want you in my bed.”
“Just because you want me in your bed doesn’t mean I’m going to lie to your family that we’re engaged.”
“Is this because you don’t want to be in my bed?” His face darkened.
“Oh, honestly, Chet!”
“What? Last night, you seemed to be all for it. And we made love and you seemed to be all for it. And now this morning, I wake up and you’re gone and you’re telling me that we’re no longer engaged.”
“We were never really engaged. It wasn’t going to be the truth. And I don’t feel comfortable lying. I need to get a job. I need to figure this out for myself.”
“What do you mean you need to get a job? I already told you, you can help me out at the ranch and we can pay you.”
