Page 39 of His Surrender

He heads straight for the coffee maker, filling the reservoir with water before measuring out the grounds with far more concentration than anyone should need to make coffee.

I watch him from the corner of my eye. He seems to be avoiding looking at me.

The machine gurgles to life.

“So,” I say, trying to sound casual, “sleep okay?”

He nods without turning around. “Yeah.”

A beat passes.

“You?”

“Pretty good.”

More silence. The kitchen has never felt this quiet.

Dean wraps both hands around his coffee mug before finally turning around.

For one brief second, our eyes meet. Then he looks down at the counter.

He walks toward the island, stopping on the opposite side from me. “Any plans today?”

“I thought I’d organize Liana’s dresser a little.”

He nods. “Okay.”

I wait for more, but nothing. This is painful.

I scoop another bite of cereal into my mouth. “You?”

“I’m going to answer a few emails.” He takes a drink of coffee. “And maybe take Liana for another walk if the weather holds.”

“She liked yesterday.”

His eyes flick up. “We both did.”

“What?”

He clears his throat. “I mean …”

A smile threatens the corners of my mouth. He looks away again.

Yea, he’s definitely being weird.

I stare into my cereal bowl, trying to convince myself I’m reading too much into this.

Yesterday’s incident was awkward.

Of course things feel a little weird today.

That’s all this is.

Liana lets out a cry from the nursery.

Dean immediately pushes away from the island. “I’ve got her.”

He disappears down the hallway before I can say anything else.