“Safe?” Maddox laughed without humor. “Is that what you call what you did to his arm?”
I looked between the two of them and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Since I’m awake so early, I might as well get a start on baking before the café opens. But I can’t do anything on an empty stomach, as all of you know. My hangry rambles are legendary. So, let’s go to the kitchen, and I’ll make us coffee and breakfast. Or tea, if you want. We can call it peace tea.”
“Peace tea?” Lake asked, the glow of his eyes dimming. His elongated teeth retracted.
“Yep. And you know what goes best with peace tea? Amity muffins. They’re eaten when a truce is called.”
“A truce?” Maddox’s lips twitched. “I wasn’t aware we were at war.”
“Says the one whose first instinct this morning was to draw your sword on Lake.”
“Because he took me by surprise,” Maddox responded. “My first instinct was to protectyou.”
“Misunderstandings all around.” I dismissively flicked my hand. “It’s why we need peace muffins.”
“I thought they were amity muffins,” Lake said, his voice quiet.
Maddox made a rough sound.
I stepped closer to him. “You just laughed.”
“I did not. It was a cough.”
“Know what helps a cough?” I looped my arm through his. “If you answered peace tea, you’re correct. Your prize is waiting for you in the kitchen. Well, after I bake them. But still.” I looked at Lake. “You’re coming too. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Lake hesitated in place. “I’m not sure I—”
“Just do what he says,” Maddox interjected. “If you leave, I’ll have to endure his whining about it for the rest of the day.” His tone softened as he added, “And it will give me the chance to apologize.”
Briar’s brows shot upward. “You? Apologize? Is the world ending?’
Maddox sneered at him.
“I…” Lake quietly cleared his throat, and his tail wagged once. “I can stay for breakfast. If you’ll have me.”
I beamed. “To the kitchen, we go.”
***
“So.” I sipped my coffee. “This is nice.”
And bynice, I meant tense and awkward as fuck. The three of them stared at each other as we sat at the kitchen table. Well, two stared. Briar only glanced at them before focusing on his cup of tea.
Please god. Someone start talking.I didn’t do well with awkward silences. I got nervous and usually rambled. And once I got going, it was hard to shut me up.
Maddox grabbed a banana muffin from the plate in the center of the table and tore off a big chunk, popping it into his mouth. His hard gaze remained on Lake as he chewed.
I kicked his leg beneath the table.
He paused in his chewing and cut his eyes at me.
“Behave,” I whispered.
Ever so slowly, the corner of his mouth hitched up. He continued eating, returning his blue eyes to Lake.
Lake, however, focused on Briar. “You have my gratitude. For healing Evan’s arm.”
“I assure you, I didn’t do it for you,” Briar responded.
