A Brevia Beginning. Michelle Major

cabinet doors. “There’s got to be coffee here somewhere,” he said as she came into the kitchen behind him.

      “I told you I don’t drink coffee. Tea is your only choice.”

      He made a choking sound.

      “There’s a bakery around the corner.” She rolled her eyes. “Have at it.”

      “I have a better idea,” he told her. “Let’s grab breakfast. That diner in town is always crowded.”

      Her eyebrows shot to the top of her head. “I’m not having breakfast with you.”

      “Why not? All you’ve got is yogurt and fruit here. That’s not going to do it for me.”

      “What does it for you isn’t my concern.” She put her hands on her small hips. “I let you stay here.”

      “Consider it a thank-you, then.” He winked. “We’ll discuss our future living arrangements. The couch is great but I’m going to need to get a bed.”

      She shook her head. “This is my apartment.”

      “Actually,” he said slowly, “it’s my sister-in-law’s apartment. I have more rights to it than you.”

      Lexi’s mouth dropped open and he found himself wanting to kiss it shut. “She’s renting it to me.”

      “I don’t like staying at the bar. I’m family.” He grabbed her purse from the back of the chair and handed it to her. “My brother doesn’t trust you after what you and your father tried to do.”

      She sucked in a breath.

      “Don’t make me use the family card.”

      “I’m ordering everything on the menu,” she mumbled and headed out the door.

      They drove in silence the few minutes to the restaurant. Scott could feel her frustration. He knew Julia didn’t think much of him, and the truth was, his sister-in-law might very well rather rent her apartment to Lexi than him. He wasn’t letting on, though.

      He didn’t want to stay at the bar. Although he would never admit it out loud, he didn’t want to be by himself right now. He’d been living alone since he’d left home at eighteen. By nature, he was a loner. Even with girlfriends, he’d never been much of a stay-the-night snuggler. But he’d felt a strange sort of comfort knowing Lexi was sleeping down the hall last night. He had about a decade’s worth of decent sleep to catch up on, and he was determined to make it happen.

      She didn’t order everything on the menu, but did ask for both an omelet and a stack of pancakes, plus granola on the side.

      “Where do you put all that food?” he asked after their waitress had filled the table with plates. “You’re no bigger than a minute and you’ve got enough calories on that plate for an NFL quarterback.”

      Reaching for the syrup, she answered, “It’s going to be my dinner, too. I’ll get a take-home box.”

      “So you conned me into buying you two meals?”

      “I gave you a place to sleep last night.” She took a big bite of pancake.

      “Why do you need to hoard food? You don’t strike me as someone hard up for money.”

      “I don’t want to use my credit cards while I’m here.” She stopped chewing midbite and stared at him, as if realizing she’d shared too much. “I’m trying to save money.”

      “You’re hiding.” He took a drink of coffee and studied her, the mystery that was his little pixie mouse falling into place. “From a boyfriend?”