Page 104 of Pinch of Love
“Yup.” Maya turned off the water and dried off as I wandered into the kitchen.
I could tell something had changed between Maya and me. I didn’t know what, exactly. I wasn’t sure if it came from all of Brielle’s incessant flirting or what had happened. Maybe it was me.
Maya didn’t strike me as the jealous type, but I just sensed something different, and it concerned me.
“I smell bacon. You’re my hero,” she sang as she wandered into the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m wearing my pink sweats.”
My gaze followed along her voluptuous body, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I love them.”
She wiggled her hips. “Good.”
This was where she normally would have popped over for a kiss, but instead, she grabbed a piece of bacon and plopped down on the couch next to Chewie.
As I cracked eggs into a bowl for a scramble, I debated whether to bring it up or just drop it. Maybe we’d get back to normal.
“So, what are our plans?” She stretched her arms toward the ceiling and kicked her legs out in front of her. “I don’t want to cramp your style with this boot.”
“It wouldn’t matter if you were in a full-body cast. You could never cramp my style.” I chuckled. “I have no style.”
She smiled and glanced down at her phone, and her expression fell as a groan echoed into the family room.
“Oh, no. Is our friend back? Did he send another text?” I stirred the eggs into the skillet.
“He’s demanding fifty-one percent of the company and has turned down every monetary offer we’ve sent.”
“It’s all about control.”
She nodded, looking completely defeated. “He has no real claim. I’d started the company before we started dating, but he’s arguing it was him who got it to this level. It could be a nasty fight.”
I walked over with her breakfast plate and sat down next to her. She grabbed a piece of bacon. “I guess it can’t be that bad if I’m still hungry.” She flashed me a smile as she took another bite. “But the scary thing is... I wonder how much of a fight do I even want?”
“You shouldn’t have to be in this position. I wish there were something I could do.”
“Just be here for me.” Maya rubbed my knee as she polished off her piece of bacon. “Now, go grab your food.”
I stood and walked over to the kitchen to grab two cups of coffee. I handed her a steaming mug and put mine down on the built-in table while I reached for my plate.
Maybe this was it. Maya was purely concerned about everything going on with her business, and rightfully so. She had more on her plate than most people. Not to mention, she’d lost her mom. Even though she didn’t think it bothered her in the same way as some children, I’d be surprised if it didn’t bother her more than she realized.
She let out a happy sigh. “I just needed food. I’m feeling better already. So, did Hunter let you know how the drive home went?”
I scratched my chin and shook my head. “Haven’t heard a word. I’m completely baffled by that whole thing.”
“Yeah. It was a curious set of adventures. Do you see your brother settling down?”
Shaking my head, I took a bite of my omelet. “He idolizes our older brother. Beckett pledged to be a bachelor for life, and Hunter wants the same.”
Maya nodded slowly. “And what about you?”
“It’s not in my DNA.”
“What isn’t?” She brought her brows together.
“Being a man-whore.”
Maya giggled and nodded, polishing off her breakfast. “Good to know.”
“It’s true. I like relationships, and when I fall, I tend to fall hard.”