Page 140 of Somebody's Watching Me
“So, I’ll finally see the mysterious Holden,” she said, still trying to gauge what she was dealing with before they left. “I wonder if I’ll like him.”
“Most women do.”
Standing at the stove, Annabeth sorted through a fresh batch of muffins as she danced to the music playing through the kitchen speakers. “Jamison, you need to eat before leaving.”
Leaning on the counter next to where the Colonel sat, Rowan watched the sway of Annabeth’s hips with a goofy grin on his face.
Jamison rolled her eyes and went over to swipe a hot muffin from Annabeth. “Don’t you two look happy.”
“And you look like crap,” Rowan replied, all smiles. “Couldn’t sleep?”
Liam sealed lids on two to-go cups of coffee and handed her one. “Jamison is better after coffee.”
Up close, he looked as ragged as she felt. Deep lines ran along his cheeks like he had slept face down on a table.
“Thanks for making me a cup,” she mumbled. He was the only person in the world who knew how to get the delicate balance of sugar and creamer just the way she liked it. “I need caffeine.”
“Both of you take a muffin and go,” Annabeth said as she continued to dance and cook, totally in her element. Add-on Rowan staring at her with heart-eyes, and Jamison didn’t think she had seen her friend this happy since the day she first stepped into the bookshop. “You’re going to barely make the penis viewing as is.”
They did need to go. She hadn’t been to any appointments this time around with Evie and missed Theo’s birth entirely since the child always did things her own way and arrived early.
But first, she wanted to snag some gossip.
Careful not to smudge her red lipstick, Jamison took a bite of the muffin while Liam ate his. “It sounded like you had your own penis viewing last night.”
“You are so nosey,” Annabeth replied without turning around. “But yes. My penis viewing was quite an experience. A large event, you could say.”
“That is the weirdest compliment I’ve ever received,” Rowan mused, scratching the Colonel behind the ears. “And you guys have the strangest morning conversations in this house. Most families wait until the afternoon to start discussing genitals.”
Liam shook his head, completely unbothered by the conversation. “It takes some getting used to, but after a month or so it won’t even phase you anymore.”
The back door creaked open, and Izzy stuck her head inside. Hair a mess and wearing the same clothes as last night, her eyes went wide when she saw them. “You’re up?”
“Today is an early day, Ms. Peña,” Liam replied, trying to keep a straight face. “Rowan has new data to go over with you while I take Jamison to Evie’s appointment.”
Popping into the kitchen, Izzy speed walked past them to the side hall where the downstairs guest rooms were located. “Got it. I’ll be right back.”
The four of them watched her go, their heads following her retreat. Before anyone could speak, Abe rolled in next. “Morning. What’s for breakfast?”
Annabeth opened her mouth—likely to throw an insult at her brother—but Liam hustled Jamison out before she could hear.
“You’re making us miss the gossip.”
“We’ll get it later,” he said, as they walked down the hall. “You look nice, by the way.”
The emerald-green blouse matched her eyes and paired well with the black high waisted pants. It was also one of his favorites and she’d worn it on purpose. “Thanks,” she mumbled, still not knowing how to take him or the compliment. “You look nice, too.”
“Did you manage to get some sleep?”
“Yes,” she lied. “And you?”
He wouldn’t look at her. “An hour or so.”
Halting their progress to the foyer, she stopped a few feet from the parlor entrance. The concert still in progress, she had to shout to be heard. “Tell me you didn’t stay up all night listening to that phone call again.”
“No, I moved on.”
“To what?”
