Page 69 of Pretty Thing

Without another word, he sets the bags down and wraps his arms around me. I melt into him embarrassingly fast, burying my face against his chest while his hand slides slowly through my hair.

Eventually he pulls back enough to brush his thumb beneath my eyes.

“I brought everything to make you a killer breakfast. I even learned how to flip pancakes in the air.”

I look at the overflowing bags as he picks them up.

“You brought half the grocery store.”

His mouth twitches.

“Well…there is also stuff to make dinner. I figured you wouldn’t be interested in cooking a traditional turkey dinner yourself, so I’m going to do it for you,” he says, smiling wide.

The guilt hits instantly, and I bite my lip as I look away from his happy face.

“What is it?”

I swallow hard.

“Kris wants me to go to her parents’ place tonight, and I already agreed.”

The silence that follows is heavy.

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry, Felix. I…they have been like family for years, and I just couldn’t say no when she asked me.”

I reach for him, running my hand down his arm. Felix’s jaw clenches before smoothing right back out.

“No, that’s good. I totally understand.”

The ache in his voice stabs me in the chest.

“I feel horrible because you brought all this stuff and⁠—”

“Eden.” His voice stays gentle. “It’s okay.”

“But—”

“You should be with people today. They are your friends, and as you said, they are practically family. It’s where you belong.”

The words sound right, but his sadness bleeds through. It’s as if someone just let all the air out of the room.

“I’d invite you, but…”

“It’s okay, no need to explain.”

Something twists painfully deep inside me, and it has nothing to do with my injuries.

He sets the bags down again and steps closer to cup the side of my face.

“You don’t have to feel guilty.”

The words nearly wreck me. Felix presses a kiss to my forehead before stepping back, grabbing the bags, and heading to the kitchen.

“Now, sit down before your ankle swells again. I’m making birthday breakfast,” he calls over his shoulder.

The next few hours are a blur.