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I blink, then do a double-take “Are you sure?” I stop, then shake my head.
Don't be ridiculous, Ana!
“I mean, no. I couldn't. I don't want to impose.”
“You won't be,” Addison assures me, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the kitchen. “Dad's always so busy; it's great to see him spending time with someone he likes.”
Nibbling on my lower lip, I'm left no choice but to allow myself to be led into the kitchen. As we sit down at the table, the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, and I marvel at how easily Brando's daughter flits around the kitchen.
When Addison sees me eyeing the coffeemaker like it was made of twenty-four-karat gold, she pours me a cup.
“Do you need any help?” I turn to face her once I'm holding the steaming mug in my palms.
I take a sip, sighing in relief.
This is good coffee. Hawaiian Kona, I could swear.
“Sure!” She smiles, gesturing to the open drawer of knives and the pile of fruit on the counter. “Can you cut those up? I washed them already.”
I nod, allowing the familiar rhythm of the knife against the cutting board to calm my nerves. Addison chats about her plans for the day, and I genuinely enjoy our conversation.
Soon after, footsteps shuffle across the carpet. Addison and I look up, and my heart skips a beat as Brando enters the kitchen. His hair is tousled from sleep, an air of content radiating from him.
At least, until he sees me.
His eyes bulge, and his mouth drops open slightly as he tries to disguise his surprised gasp with a cough.
“Um… good morning.” His brows knit together.
I shrug and mouth,Sorry.He tilts his head but doesn'twait for an explanation before shifting his focus to his daughter. “What's all this?”
“Ana's having breakfast with us!” Addison announces as she moves to set the table.
“Is that so?” A hint of a smile lingers on his lips, though its slightly dampened by the conflict dancing in his eyes as he slides into his chair.
I nod weakly, ducking my head. We're still walking on uncertain ground, but for now, he's letting me stay. And I know better than to take that for granted.
As we eat together, I catch Brando's eye across the table. His gaze holds mine for a moment before he gives me a small, tender smile.
“Addison, I need to head out now. I have a yoga class at eleven,” I announce, rising from the table and taking my plate to the sink. “Thank you for inviting me to breakfast.”
“Anytime!” She beams and waves her fork at me. “I hope we can do this again soon.”
“Me too,” I admit.
Warmth spreads through me when I catch Brando's eyes lighting up in return.
* * *
The doorto my apartment swings open, and Race immediately catches sight of the extra skip in my step. Before I can so much as change my clothes, he beckons me over to the couch, tempting me with yet another freshly brewed cup of coffee and demanding I “spill all the tea.”
“There's nothing to spill,” I say, waving away his curiosity.
“Girl.” He gives me a long hard look, and I can't help ducking my head. “No one walks in floating on cloud nine like you just did anddoesn'thave a story.” He takes another long sip of his coffee and smirks at me over the rim until my cheeks burn.
“Alright, fine,” I mutter. “I may have, kinda accidentally, spent the night at Brando's place.”
A lilt creeps into my voice, and Race beams like a little kid on Christmas.
