Just Like That (The Kings)

I sat up with a jolt when awareness crept into my peaceful dreaming. Songbirds chirped through the open window, and the sun was much, much higher than it should have been. I took stock of my surroundings, my heart rate leveling when I realized I was still in the spare bedroom of JP’s house.

The king-size bed was plush, and sleeping in it had been like floating on a cloud of down and fluffy pillows. Six, to be exact. I flopped back down and pulled one over my face. It was poofy and warm and I wanted to drown in it.

I think maybe I’ve been sleeping in a bus for too long.

I stretched my toes and glanced at the small clock on the table beside the bed. I’d definitely overslept, but I still pouted about not getting another thirty minutes in the world’s most comfortable bed.

Resigned to starting my day, I piled my hair on top of my head and slipped on a pair of cutoff jean shorts. The air was cool, so I opted for an oversize sweatshirt with a luna moth and flowers on it.

After brushing my teeth, I went in search of Teddy. My steps creaked on the hand-scraped, wood-plank flooring. There was so much untapped potential in JP’s house. He’d built it with solid bones and expensive features, but it lacked any warmth.

What it needs is a woman’s soulful touch.

My hands glided across the picture frame molding in the hallway. The door to the primary suite was on my left, and my heart skipped as I walked past. It was empty, and I was just snoopy enough to take a little peek inside.

Unsurprisingly, JP’s bed was made with crisp lines and an unfussy pillow arrangement. The walls were the same boring gray as the rest of the house. Not a painting or picture frame in sight.

Boys.

My eyes settled on the wingback chair and small table, curious about what book he was reading. I looked at the little lamp, remembering how my pulse spiked on the evening when he’d returned my little flicker of light. I hadn’t seen him but I could feel his gaze on me that night. I’d flicked the light on and off, and sparks danced under my skin when he returned the gesture.

As I descended the stairs, I wondered what it meant. Was it a flicker of hope that there was a gentle human inside him after all? JP was a puzzle written in a cipher without a key.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I was hit with the warm, inviting smell of coffee and syrup. My stomach grumbled.

As I rounded the corner, my feet came up short and my eyes went wide. Teddy was standing on a chair in front of the kitchen island, covered in flour. Next to him, JP wasn’t much better. A streak of white powder was dusted on his cheek, and his scowl was out in full force.

Teddy held the box of pancake mix up to read. “It says the batter should be lumpy.”

JP held a spoonful upside down, the thick batter clinging to it. “Lumpy is one thing, but this is hard as a rock. It’s practically concrete.”

“Maybe we should ask Hazel if she knows?” Teddy asked.

JP shook his head as I clung to the wall, trying to stay out of sight. “No. Let’s let her sleep. You can surprise her with breakfast.”

“My mom used to make really good pancakes. They did not look like this. Hopefully it’s the thought that counts.”

JP sighed and looked at Teddy. “Do you think it’s too late to hire a private chef or something?”

I stifled a giggle as my heart rolled.

Teddy laughed, and I guessed he didn’t realize JP was probably serious. “Your mom sounds cool. Anyone who could make good pancakes is all right in my book.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat at the kind and casual mention of my sister.

“Did your mom ever make you pancakes?” Teddy asked.

I leaned in, soaking in every word.

JP was silent for heavy moments. “I’m not really sure, pal. By the time I was your age, she was already gone.”

“She died too?” Teddy’s innocence was a piercing blow to my heart.

JP cleared his throat, and his eyes were trained on the lumpy disaster in front of him. “Uh . . . yeah, bud. She did. Only I wasn’t lucky like you. I didn’t have nice pancake memories or a cool aunt to take care of me. My aunt Bug was around, but she’s more the no-nonsense type.”

The hurt laced in his voice spurred me forward. “What smells so delicious?”

I beamed at them, pretending to not have eavesdropped on the last few minutes of their conversation.

Teddy leaned over the bowl, attempting to cover it with his arms, effectively getting smears of batter on his elbows. “Don’t look! It’s a surprise!”

“Admit it. It’s a disaster, man.” JP looked at me and shrugged. “We tried.” He gestured toward the coffeepot on the counter. “Coffee’s hot.”

I poured myself a cup and settled into one of the high-top chairs tucked into the kitchen island. I watched as the two fumbled around each other and did their best to finish breakfast. The pancakes came out as rock-hard little charcoal briquettes. They were dense and dry, and no amount of maple syrup helped to choke them down.

“Mmm.” I dabbed at the corners of my mouth.

JP’s flat stare nearly launched me into a fit of giggles. “These are terrible.”

My mouth popped open and Teddy burst into laughter.

“What?” JP said. “I’m not going to lie to the kid. It’s not his fault I can’t cook.”

I had gone to take another bite when JP slid the plate away from me. “Don’t eat that. Last thing I need is you choking on a pancake and me having to give you mouth-to-mouth.”

My cheeks flamed as a hot blush crept over my face. I knew exactly what his mouth felt like on mine, and I certainly wouldn’t have minded it happening again.

Teddy lifted his fork in the air. “The Heimlich.”

“Hmm?” I asked, still dazed from JP’s offhand comment.

“When you’re choking you need the Heimlich, not mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” He took another syrup-soaked bite.

A sly smirk flickered across JP’s features as his gaze lowered to my mouth. I could feel my heartbeat between my legs as every thought dissolved.

“You’re right.” With a scrape of metal against ceramic, JP dumped the pancakes into the trash. “I vote coffee and doughnuts from the Sugar Bowl.”

JP patted Teddy’s shoulder. “Go clean up and we can head to town.”

With giddy laughter, Teddy leaped off the stool and started toward the stairs.

“Need help?” I asked, turning to watch him run through the house.

Without turning back, Teddy shouted, “Not unless you want to see these buns!”

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose with a laugh. “Lovely.”

JP smiled into his coffee mug, and I eyed him behind lowered lashes. “So . . . am I also invited to coffee and doughnuts?”

He frowned at me, and my body definitely should not have tingled at the seriousness of his stern brow. “Of course.”

Heat and awareness prickled at the base of my skull as I slid off the island stool. “I’ll go get dressed then.”

Taking my coffee mug with me, I headed toward the stairs at the back of the house. Once I was out of sight, I scampered up the steps with a fresh giddiness coursing through me.