Page 78 of Falling Back to You

“Nah, they’re perfect. And I hate to admit it, but the Brits got one thing right when it came to dessert.”

“Careful, they might revoke your American card,” she teased.

I laughed, but when I shifted on the stool at the counter, it ended in a grunt. I should probably elevate my leg again.

Despite how I tried to hide the wince, Noelle spotted it like she had a pain radar. And maybe she did.

“More meds?” she asked, scanning the small whiteboard on the kitchen wall with a list of times I’d taken painkillers.

“Yeah,” I agreed reluctantly.

“Daddy, can I have another one?” Khia asked, chocolate smeared on her cheek.

I swiped it clean with my thumb. “One more.”

Noelle slid a glass of water and a few pills across the counter. “You should probably put more ice on now.”

I sighed, glancing longingly at the sweets. “Yes, ma’am.”

She rolled her eyes but came around to my side of the counter, easing an arm around my waist as she helped me towards the couch.

Did I want her to have to help me? No. But if it meant I got to be this close to her? Well, no complaints. I tried to discreetly sniff her hair without being a creep. Because sniffing hair was weird, right? But her coconut shampoo smelled amazing and haunted my dreams after last night’s hug on her porch.

Halfway to the couch, a sharp knock rapped at the door, followed by a “Hello?”

Greyson.

“Come on in!” I hollered. My house was the new communication central apparently. All morning my family had been blowing up my phone with messages and offers of help. Muchly appreciated, fam, but we were good. Except now, they’d sent in the sniffer dog to ferret out if I was lying. I loved my family, but, man, were they nosy.

Noelle’s shoulders stiffened under my arm. Oops. I was used to having my brother drop in unannounced, but I’d momentarily forgotten about The Feud.

“Sorry,” I murmured. “I didn’t know he was coming by.”

Noelle offered a tight smile full of steely resolve. “It’s fine.”

Her mantra. I hated those two words, but there was no time to argue; Greyson was already staring at us.

“Is it a bad time?” he asked gruffly.

Well, I couldn’t exactly say Yes, now go away. Could I? Nah. Greyson would just have to deal with it.

“Uncle Grey!” Khia saved us all by running towards him.

He swung her up. “Hey, Princess.”

“I helped Miss Noelle make dessert, and she’s taking care of Daddy.”

I lowered myself onto the sofa, and Noelle waited until I was situated to prop a pillow under my knee.

“I’ll grab the ice,” she murmured, and hurried to the kitchen. Not that it was much protection since it was an open-floor concept with no walls to hide behind, but maybe putting the island between her and my stormy-faced twin had its merits.

I sighed. “Why are you here, Grey?”

“Checking to see if you needed anything.”

Called it.

When Khia started to wiggle, Greyson set her down. “I was heading to the store.”