Page 66 of Betting on the Boy Next Door
“No, thanks,” he says. “I’ll just wait for Ruby to get dressed.”
“Suit yourself.” But I’ll make him a basic omelet anyway. I don’t want him rushing her through hers. Maybe shoving one in his gob will settle him down long enough for her to eat.
I have Ruby’s requested queso, onion, and cheese omelet plated along with Niles’s. I didn’t ask him what he wanted. I made it with only mushrooms. I don’t like them because they’re bland and rubbery, and that seems like a good choice for Niles.
I poke my head into the living room, where Ava is watching TV, Ruby is organizing a backpack, and Niles is thumbing through an issue ofCosmowith a frown on his face. “It’s ready. Why don’t y’all eat on the patio? It’s not too cold out there.” It’s almost sixty with no wind. “Ava, you’re up next.”
“Thanks, Josh,” Ruby says, smiling as she zips the backpack. “Let’s get it, sweetie.”
Niles rolls his eyes but lets her pull him to his feet. As they pass me going into the kitchen, I shoot Ava a look, likewhat is up with him?
As if she knows exactly who and what I mean, she shakes her head and sighs.
Ruby and Niles settle themselves outside. I finish Ava’s, and as I call her in, I debate whether I should have her wake Sami after all.
“Smells incredible,” Ava says, accepting her plate.
“Yeah, it does.” That’s Sami.
I turn and find her leaning against the wall, watching us. Her eyes are slightly puffy from just waking up, and the bun on her head looks like it could be housing baby squirrels, but as she stands there in loose pajama bottoms and a tank top, she’s freaking adorable.
“Thank you breakfast,” I tell her. I don’t clarify that I made it for all of them because it was the only way I could guarantee seeing Sami too. Our kiss was two nights ago, and I’m positive she’s avoiding me. Otherwise, she would have made a point of being on the balcony instead ofnotbeing there. “The coffee’s fresh. Help yourself. What kind of omelet can I make for you?”
“Onion, cheese, peppers, cilantro, bacon. And a side of bacon.”
“That’s my girl.” I say it under my breath, but she stiffens like she heard me. “Go ahead and hang out with Ruby out there. This’ll only take a few minutes.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Is NilesQuil out there?”
I choke on a laugh. “Yes.”
She sighs and disappears for a minute, returning with a hoodie before she pads out on bare feet to join them. Sami with sleepy eyes and tousled hair, fresh out of bed with bare feet and warm pajamas is something I’d like to see more of. Regularly.
A few minutes later, I have omelets served up for Sami and me. I turn off the stove and carry them outside, taking a seat next to Sami.
Niles stands as I sit. “Meet you in the car,” he says to Ruby. “We need to get a move on because I have a one o’clock tee time with Kenton and Derek.” Keeping an eye on me the whole time, he drops a kiss on her cheek, which seems to surprise her. Then he walks out of the back gate, leaving his plate with its half-eaten omelet behind.
“Was it something I said?” I ask as we watch him walk down toward wherever he’s parked.
“No, not at all.” Ruby’s voice is a tiny bit too cheerful as she answers. “He’s just anxious to get moving on our hike today. We’re going to the falls. He wants to beat the crowds.”
“I want to beat Niles,” Sami says.
“Sami.” Ruby’s voice holds a note of warning, like she wants to head off an argument.
“I’m just saying, Charlie likes to hike. And he’s not human Ambien.”
“Who’s Charlie?” I ask, lost.
“No one,” Ruby says. “A friend from work.”
Her voice is tight. I decide to try to defuse the tension. “How’s your omelet, Ruby?”
She glances down like she’s forgotten her plate and looks back up. “Sorry, Josh. I should have said how good it is right away. So delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I watch as Sami takes her first bite.
She chews a couple times, then nods. “This is really good. I didn’t know you could cook.”
