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I stifle a laugh, doing my best to keep it quiet so I don't wake Renee. I don't know what time she normally gets up, but at my place, she can sleep as long as she wants.
Brody: Congratulations, man. I knew it would work out with you and Renee
His message makes me pause. Staying at my place overnight is a step in the right direction, but I don't know if it's a sign that things are smooth sailing forever. She might even joke that it’s still a pretend date, knowing how she’s been so far.
Griffin: I'm hoping it works out in the long run
Griffin: I really, really like her
Brody: I can tell. She likes you too
I flip the pancakes in the pan, then pick up my phone again.
Griffin: You and Mags doing okay?
Brody: Yeah, pretty much. She's focused on the baby room and getting everything in there
Griffin: Anything you guys need? Anything I can bring for you?
I pour some more batter into the pan after piling up the first pancakes.
Brody: We're just lying low this morning, waiting for her to pop, everything's good
I huff a laugh at that before responding.
Griffin: You tell me if you need anything, okay?
Brody: I will, thanks man
With that I leave him alone. I know he’s got a lot on his mind. They already have Bridget, but this experience is different for him. I expect when the little one arrives I’ll see him less often but at the same time, I can't wait for him to be holding that baby. I’m happy he got his happily ever after and then some.
I flip the last few pancakes and arrange them onto two plates, butter them, and then heat up some syrup in a mug before pouring into the middle of each stack. I find two cloth napkins that my mom gave me as a housewarming gift when I moved in and wrap them around a knife and fork for each of us. I’ve never used them before, but it seems like something that might impress Renee.
Knowing Renee will want coffee, I find the grounds and start a pot brewing, thinking I can come back down for it after I give her the pancakes, still hot and fresh.
And then I climb the stairs, trying not to smile too hard. I make it up to my bedroom without spilling the plates and nudge the door open with my elbow.
Renee's standing at the foot of the bed, pulling her shirt on over her head. She sees me when her head pops through the neck, and her eyes go wide.
“Good morning,” she says in a rush, her face going red.
My heart sinks fast but I try not to show it. “I didn't know you were up. Are you all right?”
“I'm fine. I'm good,” Renee says, running her fingers through her hair and shaking it out. “I just have to head out.”
“Oh.” Fuck. “Where are you going?”
“I just—” Renee looks around and bites her lip, obviously worried. Out of all of the possibilities this morning, I didn’t anticipate this. I struggle for a moment not knowing exactly what to say.
“If you're looking for your purse, it's downstairs.”
“I was,” Renee admits and then glances down to the breakfast in my hands. “I'm really sorry you made breakfast.”
“Don't worry about it.” I put the plates down on my dresser and pull myself back together. “You need a ride to your place, don't you? I'll take you there right now. Unless you need to be somewhere else.”
“I have an appointment.” Renee looks away from me with a frown on her face and a look in her eyes that looks like guilt. “I can always call Mags for a ride, if you don't want?—”
“Don't do that. I want to take you.” Something awful settles in my chest as I stare at Renee, wondering what the hell is going on. I almost ask her again if she’s sure she’s okay, but I already know she’ll tell me she is when she obviously isn’t. All I can think is to not push her, that she’ll tell me.
