Page 55 of Shadow

“It’s a healthy breakfast. Eat it, and then you can get whatever else you want.”

She poked at the omelet with her fork. “These are supposed to be yellow; you know?”

He laughed. “Just be a good girl and eat it.”

“Is this some kind of submissive test?”

He shrugged. “It’s mostly just me doing my part to take care of you. I don’t expect you to eat healthy all the time, but I do expect you to put fresh, real food in your body from time to time. And why not start with a healthy breakfast? You give me that, and I won’t say a word about your food choices for the rest of the day.”

She chewed her lip and glanced up at him.

“What is it, baby?”

“This isn’t a weight thing, is it? I know I’m not a size six, but I’m happy with my body.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Have I ever given you the impression that I don’t love your body just the way it is? This has zero to do with weight. If it did, I wouldn’t be telling you to go fill up on donuts after you eat this. It really is just about giving you some healthy food every once in a while.”

She nodded and cut a piece of omelet with her fork. “OK. I believe you.”

Ripley smiled and started on his own plate.

After several bites of the egg whites, she made a face and pushed it away. “Sorry, but that has no flavor. It needs cheese or something.”

He laughed. “Fine. Just eat the fruit.”

She speared a strawberry and popped it into her mouth.

“I like that you care about me enough to want me to eat healthy.”

He smiled. “You’re the person I care about most. I hope you know that.”

She blushed and ducked her head, popping a grape into her mouth. The tender moment passed, and Ripley went back to his food.

When she’d finished the fruit, he waved at her. “Go, get whatever you want. Thank you for being a good girl.”

She beamed and bent down to kiss his cheek before bounding off to the waffle bar. She came back a few minutes later with a waffle the size of her face loaded with whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate sauce.

He shook his head but used his spoon and stole a bite of her toppings.

“Hey mister, get your own junk food.”

He grimaced at the sweetness of it. “One bite is enough, thanks. I prefer my bad calories to be deep fried or beer. Thank you very much.”

She laughed. “That reminds me of when Peter and Carrie first got together.”

Ripley smiled. “Peter is the asshole who doesn’t eat bad food.”

“He did that night,” she said with a giggle. “They make a great couple. You know they both credit you with being the reason they’re together?”

He frowned. “Really? I was just doing my job and trying to take down a corrupt jackass.”

“You pushed them together.”

He frowned. “That’s silly. But I guess it does explain why Carrie is so nice to me.”

“You’re a pretty great guy, Cannon Ripley. Even if you do like egg white omelets. And Adara is pretty taken with you too, since you rescued her from her psycho brother.”

He frowned. “You know about that?”

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