Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

“I’m not asking what you think of the food, I’m asking about the man who kept you out until dawn, put that smile on your face and gave you stubble scrape on your neck.”

“What?” Paige lifted her hand to her neck. “Where?”

“You’d better wear a scarf today or you’ll be getting knowing looks.” Eva pushed the bowls toward them, along with berries and yogurt. “Eat. I’ll sit here and die of envy while you tell us everything. I want to know how many calories you used up.”

“I have no idea how many calories.”

Eva dug her spoon into her granola. “If you tell me the position, I can tell you the calories. Of course if you licked melted chocolate and whipped cream off each other’s bodies, that complicates the math. Tell me quickly, before Matt joins us.”

Paige paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Why would Matt join us?”

“Because I invited him. It’s a celebration breakfast.”

Crap.

“Ev, I wish you’d—”

There was a tap on the door and Matt walked in.

Paige froze. It didn’t help telling herself she had no reason to feel guilty.

She felt guilty.

Eva deftly removed her scarf and looped it around Paige’s neck.

“This color looks good on you. Keep it on for a while. Hi, Matt.” Her voice was casual. “You’re looking exceptionally handsome today. Khakis and a button-down shirt. You’re dressed to impress, which means you’re leaving your chain saw at home and you’re off to a meeting.”

Paige fiddled with the scarf.

She was an adult with a perfect right to a sex life. So why was she afraid to tell her brother the truth?

There was a long list of reasons, but top of that list was the fact that it was unlikely to ever happen again.

“You’re perky for someone who was on her feet all night.” Matt scanned the table. “I was invited to a celebration breakfast, but I don’t see bacon. Everyone knows a celebration breakfast has to include bacon.”

Eva shuddered. “We have homemade granola and berries.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. What does a guy have to do to get red meat around here?”

“Hang out with someone who isn’t vegetarian,” Eva said tartly, and Matt grinned and helped himself to granola.

“Apart from your weird dietary habits, you’re cute. You’ll be even cuter if you have strong coffee. So how did it go?”

“We’re the talk of the town.” Eva stood up and poured coffee into a mug. “Frankie will make you bacon if you really want it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll choke this down.” Matt picked up a spoon and dug it into the granola. “So it went well?”

“It surpassed all expectations,” Eva said. “I predict the phone is going to ring and ring.”

“Good.” Matt reached for his coffee. “Jake’s not here yet, then?”

Paige stared at him. “Why would Jake be here?”

“Because I invited him. You said it was a celebration breakfast and he was the one who gave you the business.”

Paige choked on her food and Eva poured her a glass of water.

“Are you all right? Was it the coconut?”