“How about if I make us a pseudo eggs benedict, depending on if you boys have the right spices for béarnaise?”
His smile broadens, and he jumps up, bringing me with him. “Come on, woman. It’s time to eat!” He drags me to the kitchen and gives me a bow. “Tell me what you need and I’ll be your assistant.”
I browse through their fridge and cabinets and am surprised to find everything I need except Tarragon. I locate a jar of dried parsley and decide it’ll have to do. After giving Tripp instructions to toast the bread and blend the yolks, I get started.
Conversation is easy as I cook and he does whatever I instruct him to. When I take his toasted bread and cut it into a perfect circle, then lay the poached egg on top, he helps by spooning on the sauce and plating the bacon.
We sit at their small table, and he politely waits for me to take the first bite then digs in. His loud groan startles me. “Woman! This is fucking fantastic. Even my mom can’t cook like this.”
“Thank you.” Heat spreads across my cheeks.
“Seriously, if this thing with Finn falls apart, I’m keeping you. Screw the twenty- plus years of friendship.”
My heart swells with pride. “My mom was an amazing cook. She taught me and my brothers a lot.”
His eyes come to mine, and he give
s me a sad smile. “Thank you for making this.”
I reach over and cover his hand. “Thank you for coercing me to make you breakfast.”
His lips twitch. “We should make this a weekend thing.”
I start to giggle, thinking about Finn’s reaction.
He laughs along with me and shovels food in his mouth. Right as I take my last bite, the doorbell rings, and we both look at the clock.
“Who the hell is here at eight in the morning?” Tripp mutters, throwing his napkin on the table and going to answer the door.
I get our plates and start cleaning when there’s a loud shriek behind me. “What the hell is going on here?”
I spin, dropping the plate in the sink, and come face to face with Raven, who’s looking at me with hatred and disgust. Tripp comes rushing up behind her with a look of panic.
“Pardon me?” I respond blandly, turning off the water.
“Where the hell is Finn?”
I close my eyes and count to three, trying to calm my nerves. When I open them, I square my shoulders and face her head on. “It’s none of your business, but he’s at work. Do you need something?”
“Does he know you’re traipsing around his house with Tripp half-naked?”
“RJ, you’re outta line.” Tripp sidesteps into her line of sight.
“Really? Because what I see looks fucking bad!”
I raise my hand when Tripp opens his mouth, and speak first. “Raven, Finn had to go into work early this morning for an emergency. I can assure you he knows I’m here. He left me in his bed. This may look bad to you, but it is only breakfast.”
She looks back and forth from Tripp to me, and her face crumbles. Tears fill her eyes, and she throws her face into her hands. “I’m sorry! I’m such a bitch. Why do I keep screwing things up with you?”
I try hard to feel sorry for her, find an ounce of sympathy, but I can’t. Instead, I step around her and Tripp and head to the living room to get my computer.
“Tripp, I’m gonna go back to bed and work a little while. I’ll see you later.” I don’t acknowledge Raven before disappearing into Finn’s room, shutting the door forcefully.
Unfortunately, even the thundering in my ears and the blood storming through my system doesn’t drown out the hushed cries from the other room. I wish like hell my car was here, so I could bolt. A tinge of jealousy creeps up, knowing that if I wasn’t here, she would have still barged in at the crack of ass in the morning. What if Finn was in bed? Who shows up unannounced?
Family and friends, that’s who. Many times I’ve opened my door to Reese or Johnny arriving without notice.
“Ugh.” I’m trapped in here. Maybe if I take a shower she’ll be gone when I get out. I reach in my bag for some fresh clothes when there’s a knock at the door.