Page 142 of Even Ground
Pania
I love being here.
Reece is out of bed before I wake, but I’m sure that’s because he’s much more used to the type of flight we took than I am.
I yawn as I look at the phone. It’s after ten, and even then it’s hard to keep my eyes open. I could stay and doze, but I’d rather get up given I’m not here forever.
Pulling on some trackpants and a T-shirt, I make my way to the kitchen.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Delaney’s way too chirpy. “Want some coffee?”
“Sure.” I run my fingers through my hair. “Have you seen Reece?”
“Josh dragged him into the office. Now that you two have let Alex know he’s got the part in the next movie, they’ve got the whole thing cast. They’re working on the next step of production.”
I slide onto a breakfast stool. “Real work. I’m guessing Reece won’t like that.”
The coffee machine whirrs and the scent of ground coffee fills the air. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
“He’ll get over it. I told him to leave you to sleep, he kept bouncing around wanting to wake you up. But I know that flight is a killer.”
It’s like stepping back in time as she froths the milk. Day in, day out we’d make coffee in the diner.
My eyelids are so heavy, and my brain switches off.
“Here you go. Want something to eat? I made bacon and eggs for the boys, but you can have whatever you want. I even have Marmite for toast.”
I open my eyes to see Delaney place a steaming mug of coffee in front of me.
“I can make something.”
She grips my shoulder. “No, you sit back and relax. Melly’s at school and Addison is asleep for a change. It’ll be quiet for a little while.”
I smile. “Sounds great. If you’re making something, some Marmite toast would be nice.”
“Coming right up.” She sounds way too bright for this hour of the morning. Even if it’s not early.
She dances around in her swanky kitchen, and it makes me smile. Delaney’s dream was always to cook, and I followed her into it wanting to stay close to the woman who’s like a sister to me.
Now we’re both following our dreams.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I meet her blue-eyed gaze. “Can I ask you something?”
“You know you can ask me anything.”
“When did you know Josh was it?”
Her lips twitch. “The first or the second time?”
I shrug. “Either.”
“Is this about Reece?” She’s giving me a smug look now, the same one I usually give her. It’s insufferable.
“Just answer the question.”
Delaney laughs. “Honestly, I don’t know. We just were. From the moment we met, we clicked and just never stopped.” Her expression straightens. “Except for the interruption in our relationship. He’s my one.”