“No, why?”

“Because you were so happy to see her last night, and now you’re acting like a petulant child.”

I bit back at laugh, finding it hilarious that she still called him on his bullshit.

“I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

Silence greeted me for all of a minute before his mother spoke again. “Don’t think I don’t have ears, Patti. I know exactly why you didn’t sleep last night.”

“Mom—”

“I was young once, too. A healthy…sexual appetite is normal. Just don’t lead this girl on.”

He groaned in disgust. “Seriously?”

“I’m just saying…I’m not deaf. Don’t think you can hide this from me.”

That was about all I could stomach to listen to, and I was actually starting to feel bad that his mom was talking to him about this. So, I made sure to skip down the stairs so they would hear me coming, putting a bright smile on my face.

“Morning!”

I strolled over to Patrick and placed a kiss on his cheek, then walked over to his mother and did the same. She beamed at me, cupping my cheek.

“You’re so sweet, dear. Why don’t you grab some plates, Patti, and set the table.”

“Oh, I’ve got it. You just stay there,” I told Patrick. “You should really stay off that leg and let it heal.”

As expected, his mother gave a nod of approval and finished up breakfast as I set the plates on the counter. There wasn’t an actual table to sit at, only stools. I didn’t have a problem withthat, but I could tell by the look on his mom’s face that she didn’t approve.

As soon as the food was dished out, I dug in, moaning as the flavors burst open on my tongue. “Oh my gosh, Debra. This is delicious!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Seriously, I have never tasted such delicious eggs. I had no idea breakfast could be so good.”

“Oh,” she waved me off, smiling bashfully. “Really, it’s just breakfast.”

“That’s easy for you to say. I have never been able to make eggs in my life.”

“Really?”

I shook my head, shoving more in my mouth. “No one ever taught me. The one time I tried, I burned the eggs.” I was so consumed with eating that I didn’t realize they were both staring at me. “What?”

Debra eyed me with compassion and Patrick…I didn’t want to know what the look on his face meant. It looked similar to pity, and I most definitely did not want that.

“Well, I can teach you.”

“Really?” That was just the most amazing thing I’d ever heard. “Because I’m not one of those people who can just follow instructions. I do better when someone shows me.”

“Then we’ll start our lessons tomorrow,” she beamed.

“How about tonight? I’ve never been able to make dinner either.”

“I’ll find us a recipe and we can go shopping!”

I couldn’t hide the smile on my face if I tried. Maybe this was all for Patrick, but I was getting something out of this, too. Something I had desperately wanted from the time I realized my mother would never be more than the leech she was.

“Wait, what about me?” Patrick asked as his mother busied herself with the dishes.