You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper I can admit the breakfast Aisha made us is delicious.

Ugh, though it kills me.

The French toast is cooked to golden perfection.

The maple syrup is thick and sweet, and that hint of powdered sugar sprinkled on top? Yummy.

The bacon is crisp yet chewy.

The coffee is strong.

She cut up all kinds of fruit for us to eat as well and the watermelon is sweet.

The strawberries juicy and red.

The grapes I avoid because...

I hate grapes.

Oh well, guess it’s not the perfect breakfast.

Sadie is shoveling food in her mouth with her nose wrinkled in disgust, but she's enjoying it.

I know she is.

We all are.

Damn it.

"Who knew you could cook?"

Blake says when he's finished eating, leaning back in his chair and patting his belly like he's a chubby old man.

"That was fucking good, Aisha."

She beams from her spot at the head of the table.

"Thank you.

I love cooking meals for my friends.

It's like my love language."

Sadie and I share a look across the table.

Love language? She is so full of shit.

"Guys, we need to clean up some outside before we leave,” Easton announces.

"My dad texted me and said there's a storm coming in later."

glance at his plate—empty.

Guess he doesn't hate French toast after all.

"Let's do it."

Ryan leaps to his feet, seemingly eager to get out of here, I guess.

Though we aren't going to leave right after breakfast, are we? I mean—and oh my God I can't even believe I'm thinking this—but I feel kind of bad that Blake and Aisha show up late last night and then we're going to head home right after she made us this amazing breakfast? Easton leans over to whisper in my ear.

"You don't mind staying in here with Aisha for a little bit? She's being okay, right?"

I slowly shake my head, trying to pretend like it won't bother me.

"No, I don't mind.

shove her

"That's my girl."

lingering before he pulls away and when I glance over in Aisha's direction

Huh.

hasn't changed one

She hates me.

Easton and I are

clean

her sweetly,

Aisha smiles in return.

be so great, thank

I appreciate the help."

Sadie is mute and I kick

sends me a

tilting my head in

"Right.

Yeah.

We appreciate it,"

Sadie says weakly.

up the plates on the

sink, rinsing out dishes and loading them in the

the kitchen, none of us uttering a word to each other with the exception of a

or “excuse me"

every few minutes.

It's weird.

can hear the boys outside talking and laughing while we're acting

know,” Sadie says

with Blake for

and dries her

you mean am I with him

"With benefits?"

Sadie asks.

how that's any of your business,” Aisha says

me a

"Just curious."

I remain quiet.

her attention to

do you want me to say?

showed up with Blake last night? Yeah, can't

likely using

lips shut and she smiles, waving

"Go on.

what you wanted

using him to get

back her head and

And laughs.

And laughs some more.

glances over at me and I roll my eyes,

Aisha says once her laughter has

don't think Blake is using

using who, I just know that

I throw at her.

brow as she

Little Miss

your head off

Easton, fuck me, Easton’.” She rolls her