Page 73 of Hello Quarterback

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MIA

Even though I’dshowered the night before, I took another shower to wash off all the nocturnal activities. And as I got ready for the day in the small bathroom, I imagined Ford as a kid, getting ready for school in here, fighting for sink space with his four brothers. There was still a toothpaste holder glued to the wall with five spaces in it.

When I finished brushing my teeth and blow-drying my hair, I applied makeup and left the bathroom, heading to the kitchen, where I could hear the hum of conversation. I wasn’t sure how long Ford would be gone for his run, just that he wasn’t back yet.

His dad and younger brother sat at the table, talking over plates half full of bacon and eggs and cups of coffee.

When they noticed me, Gray hopped up and sent me a smile, reminding me of my own dad on a weekend morning. “Let me get you a plate for breakfast,” he said. “What would you like?”

“You don’t need to,” I said. “I can serve myself.”

“Nonsense,” he replied. “You’re our guest. So, I made breakfast potatoes—from the garden—eggs from my son Fletcher’s house, and bacon from some of our pigs. Didn’t gather it all this morning, of course.” He chuckled. “But it’s all farm to table.”

I grinned at him. “Really? That’s such a treat. I’ll have it all, thank you.”

Gray exchanged a glance with Bryce, who wore a look of approval. “Not picky,” Gray said. “I like that.”

Why did that make me feel so proud of myself?

I went to sit at the table across from Bryce. He looked so much like Fletcher. All dark hair and dark glittery brown eyes. Their mom had the darker features—I could tell from the photos of her around the house.

“So tell me about college,” I said to Bryce. “It feels like forever since I was there.”

He chuckled. “Nothing much has changed, I’m sure.” He glanced at his dad, then gave me a sly wink. “All studying and hard work. No parties happening at all.”

Gray chuckled. “Exactly.”

I grinned at their exchange. “What are you studying?”

“Computer science,” Bryce said. “I’ll graduate next year.”

“If you’re looking for a job, we’re always hiring in the IT department.”

“Really? Wow, I’d love to apply when I get a little closer to graduation.”

“You can get my contact info from Ford,” I replied with a smile. If Bryce was anything like the rest of his family or the other people I knew from Cottonwood Falls, he was sure to be hardworking and down to earth. We needed all we could get of that at Griffen Industries.

“Great,” Bryce said as Gray handed me a plate full of food and a mug of steaming coffee.

“Need cream?” he asked.

“Like I need air,” I teased.

He went to the fridge. “It’s just the supermarket brand. Nothing special.”

I chuckled, taking the cream. “Thank you.”

I took a bite of the eggs, covered in cheese and salsa, and my mouth watered. This was really good. Better than the food I paid a small fortune to have prepared for me. “You said this is food you produce?” I asked.

Gray nodded.

“It’ssogood. Do you take orders?”

He grinned. “I mean, I’m a little far from Dallas.”

“Right.” I chuckled. “Can I put in an order for... the ingredients?”

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