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“And the first thing you decide is to cook?” Mom tsks loudly.
Chuckling softly, I turn off the stove and plate the food.
“What can I say? I like living on the edge.”
She slaps him on the shoulder. “That’s not funny, young man. Let me just go and…”
“Sit down.” I slide the plate in front of my brother and the open space next to it.
“Oh, I could have helped you.”
“I don’t mind doing it.”
“Well, at least one of my children knows how to cook, so I guess I did one thing right.” Mom flashes me a smile, and a bitter-sweet ache spreads inside my chest, but I choose to ignore it and focus on the happiness hidden beneath it instead.
I turn around, going back to the counter to refill my coffee, when my phone rings on the counter.
“Hey, Becky, I—”
“Hey, I know why you’re calling. You don’t have to worry. I talked to Emmett and—”
“Shit, I—” her words are cut off, a gagging sound coming from the background.
My brows pull together as I listen intently. No, not gagging, more like retching.
What the hell?
“Are you okay? You don’t sound that good. Do you need me to come over?”
Chase’s eyes narrow as he watches me closely, but I wave him off as I wait for Kate to stop throwing up.
“Kate, seriously, I’m co—”
“I’m fine,” she says finally, after what feels like forever. “Just a stomach bug.”
“A stomach bug?” I repeat skeptically.
“Or maybe I ate something bad.” She lets out a long sigh, and I can hear the tiredness in her voice. “I’ve been throwing up since last night.”
“Shit.”
“Shit sums it up perfectly.”
“How can I help? Do you need me to bring you anything?” My head is already spinning with all the options and schedule rearrangements, so I can stop by her house and bring her whatever she might need. “I can go in town and bu—”
“I’m good. Emmett already stocked me up, and his mom brought soup last night.”
Of course they did. Emmett carried Kate like a drop of water in the middle of his palm, and his family wasn’t any different. Kate was the daughter they always wanted. It wouldn’t surprise me if his mom stopped by their place later to make sure Kate was alright and to see if she needed any help around the house.
“But I have a big favor to ask of you.”
“Yeah, sure. Anything, you know that.”
“I have a cake tasting scheduled for today at two, but there is no way I can do it. Just the thought of it has my stomach rolling.”
“Cake tasting?”
“Yes, I know you’re super busy with your café, and I hate even asking, but…”
