He shook his head. His loss. This stuff was gold. She ate a piece then washed it down with her mocha.
“That’s not your breakfast.”
Was that a question or a statement?
He moved over to the fridge and drew out some eggs. “Sit. I’ll make you an omelet.”
She sighed. No, thank you.
He glanced at the whiteboard. “Wasn’t a question.”
She refrained from stomping her foot. It was hard. She never stomped her foot. She never lost her temper. She always did what others wanted.
Well, mostly.
She wasn’t sure how often the sheriff had lectured her on riding her bike in winter. And Noah was always telling her off for coming to the bar in the dark on her own for quiz nights.
She watched him cracking eggs expertly. He could cook?
Somehow, he must have sensed the question. Or maybe he just wanted to fill the silence. That’s why she and Kiesha worked well together. Kiesha never shut up, and Juliet barely spoke.
“Sterling is the best cook. I can make breakfast and that’s about it.” He opened the fridge again, frowning. “Sterling grabbed some groceries for us. Looks like he needs to get you some. There’s nothing in here. Guess it’s just a cheese omelet.”
I don’t want the omelet.
“You need something in your stomach other than that.” He gave the coffee drink a disparaging stare.
Why?
“Because you’re so tiny, a stiff wind would knock you over.”
She couldn’t actually argue with him since that had happened once. She’d flown into a building and got bruises all up her side. Reuben had nearly had a cow. He’d bugged Xavier into checking on her every day for two weeks.
But she wasn’t going to tell Brick any of that.
Would not.
Yes, she was completely aware her reply was childish. However, she didn’t have a clever comeback. She might be smart, but communication obviously wasn’t her forte.
He plated up the omelet and took it to the island. He stood there, arms crossed. She stared back then with a sigh, gave in, and climbed onto the stool.
“Eat,” he said gruffly.
Knowing she’d feel rude if she didn’t try it, she cut off a piece and slid it into her mouth. Then she washed it down with a mouthful of cold, sweet coffee. It wasn’t that it tasted bad, Juliet just had a tough time eating in the mornings.
Well, a lot of the time.
He shifted around on his feet, clearing his throat a few times. He seemed nervous, but that couldn’t be right.
“Look, I know this is hard,” he said, surprising her. “Us invading your space. We’ll try to keep out of the way as much as possible.”
Shit. Why did that make her feel bad? She bit her lower lip. They seemed like nice enough guys.
It’s okay. I know you just have a job to do.
Which was the only reason he was here.
“Your brother wanted one of us in the house, so Elias has moved into the second floor. But you don’t need to hide in your room, he’ll give you space.”