My throat tightened at his obvious concern and I nodded.
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Good. I bet you’re hungry.”
I realized I was.
Everyone bustled around. Soon, we were at the table, and pancakes and bacon were served.
“Leo is hogging the bacon,” Caleb cried.
Leo loaded more onto his plate. “You’ve got to be quick, pipsqueak.”
“I’mnota pipsqueak.”
“Leo,” Emily said in her warning tone.
I was sitting in between Haley and Ro. He poured me a glass of orange juice. Then I watched with no surprise as Leo poured a gallon of maple syrup on his stack of pancakes.
Caleb growled. “Mom, Leo is hogging the maple syrup!”
Emily snatched the syrup off Leo and tipped some on Caleb’s plate. “Eat, Caleb Maximillian, and use your inside voice.”
Everyone started eating and talking all at once. It was the usual crazy mayhem when we all ate together. Josh started talking about college with Ro, and Ro nodded thoughtfully and asked him questions on his upcoming studies.
I sat there frozen.
Ro…fit. He talked easily with my cousin, he was good with Haley, he’d cooked breakfast.
He shouldn’t belong here. He shouldn’t look like he belonged in my cute house, in my small town. He was private jets and penthouses.
This thing between us was temporary. I couldn’t let myself forget.
He leaned over and rested a hand on my thigh under the table and squeezed. His gaze on my face. I managed a smile and grabbed my glass of juice.
Just eat, Tessa.
Soon, I felt full and tired again.
Ro pressed a hand to my back. “Tessa needs a nap.”
“No, I?—”
“Yes.”
I rolled my eyes.
“She’s always been stubborn,” my aunt added.
“Don’t gang up on me.” I turned in my chair. “Ro, I need to check on the hotel and?—”
His face hardened. “No. You have the next few days off to rest. Doctor’s orders.”
Emily stood, stacking some of the empty plates. “Come on, kiddos, you guys need to stack the dishwasher. Thank Ro for the pancakes.” Her gaze moved between me and Ro. “We’ll get out of your hair.”
“Em—”
She came over and hugged me, then cupped my cheek. “You had us worried, sweet girl. I’m so glad you’re okay.” She smiled. “And I’m glad he’s taking good care of you.”
My cousins all hugged me, even Leo. Then I saw him give Ro a fist bump. Then of course, Caleb wanted to fist bump as well. It was surreal.
