The second the thought entered my mind, I shook my head. What was I doing thinking like that? Sure, he was being friendly. Sure, he’d stayed in my house and I’d seen a tiny glimpse of him that no one else had, but that meant nothing.
I didn’t need to get my hopes up.
“Butter and syrup?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” I replied. “Thanks.”
“Creamer in your coffee?”
“Yes, that too.”
Dean nodded and was gone. When I was alone again, I thought over how domestic this all felt.
It had been a long time since I felt like I was a part of a team in my own home. That had to be why I was acting so weird.
I felt mostly normal when Dean set down a plate and mug in front of me. “Pancakes, bacon, and coffee, just for you, ma’am.”
“Are you sure your calling isn’t to be a server? You’re good at this.”
“I’m good at it withyoubecause I like you. Give me one rude customer and I’d be fired.” He walked back to the kitchen.
He likes me.
Oh, fuck. I needed to get it together.
I was planning on waiting for him to sit, but I started digging in to get my mind off his words. My pancake recipe had been from Mom, and the fluffy, light texture took me back to when she would make it for me. Closing my eyes, I enjoyed it.
“If that’s the chef’s reaction, then I’m about to have my life changed.”
“You’ll probably propose to me again.” He laughed and sat. I watched as he took his first bite, and when his eyes rolled back in his head, I knew I’d done well. “I’m waiting for my proposal.”
“Hang on, I’m still living in the moment.” Dean went for another bite, and I couldn’t help the swell of pride I felt in my chest.
We’d never be anything, but I liked it when we joked like we could be.
“Now don’t think I made all of this for you for no reason.”
His eyes opened. “Are you about to ask forhelp?”
“I’m about to ask for information. What the hell happened at the hotel?”
Dean’s shoulders fell and he rolled his eyes. “Don’t even get me started.”
“That’s the best hotel in the area.”
“It’s theonlyhotel in the area,” he said flatly.
“It’s not riddled with bedbugs, so that’s pretty good. What happened?”
“They double-booked me with someone.”
“Double-booked?” I laughed. “Are they ever full?”
“There was something about renovations temporarily closing a lot of the rooms.” He shook his head. “All I know is that I came back to the room expecting to fall into bed and sleep, only to find Hugh naked in my shower.”
I choked on my food. “Hugh? Why was he at a hotel?”
“He said he didn’t have hot water.”