Page 66 of Blacklist

“Maybe you two got off on the wrong foot.”

I want to crawl into a hole until my head stops pounding and I can sort through this mess inside it, but before I can Poppy holds out a plate.

“I made you breakfast,” she says brightly.

Kai clears his throat. He’s been quiet during this whole exchange until now. “You did what?”

Poppy gives a sheepish smile. “Okay, I made toast and Kai tried to show me how to make scrambled eggs.”

“How did that go?” I ask, the weight on my chest easing enough that I laugh.

“Thank God, she’s an heiress,” Kai says as he scoops eggs onto a plate. Poppy drops two slices of toast next to it.

“At least they’re edible,” she says.

I eat slowly, my stomach still churning with anxiety. If they hadn’t been there, what would have happened? It’s not like someone drugged my drink by accident. I try to remember who gave me the cup, but I’d never seen him before in my life. I’ll have to ask Ava if she knew the guy. It’s a long shot, since half the people there were probably new students at Valmont.

“I can’t believe someone would do that,” Poppy says.

I snort. Even now her glass is half-full. Mine is feeling pretty empty, at the moment. “I can.”

“Thanks for letting us crash here last night,” Kai says.

“We were thinking of going for a swim. Care to join us?”

“You don’t have any suits,” I remind her.

“That’s the joy of a GBFF,” Kai says, clarifying when I give him a puzzled look. “Gay best friend forever. I’ve decided that’s what I am for you two. You don’t have to worry about me seeing you naked, because I’m not interested and I think all bodies are fabulous.”

“You might have to worry about half of the garden staff seeing you, though,” I say dryly.

“We’ll leave our underwear on,” Poppy promises.

“I’m not sure what to make of that,” A gruff voice says from the hallway. Sterling stands there, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His dark hair is tousled on top of his head and there’s a hint of stubble on his jawline. He must have to shave every day. I try to peel my eyes away from him and fail. It’s clear he’s only half-awake, because the minute he blinks he seems to realize he’s shirtless. He tugs it over his head quickly, his usual scowl pulling down his lips. “Bathroom?”

“Let me show you.” I hop up from the stool, instantly regretting my decision when my head reminds me that I’m still hungover from last night’s debacle.

As soon as his back is turned, Poppy pretends to fan herself while Kai mouths wow. I glare at them, hoping they behave. I’m careful to keep my eyes in front of me as I lead him down the hallway. They want to wander his direction. Pushing open the door, I dart inside and dig out another toiletry kit. I hold it out to him. “Here.”

“What’s this?” he asks.

“A toiletry kit.” I shove it into his hands but he continues to stare.

“A what?”

“Like you get at a hotel,” I say slowly. Is he screwing with me? “You know, a toothbrush, toothpaste, some cotton swabs. The basics, in case you left anything at home.”

“Is this a house or a hotel?” he mutters.

“My mom likes to have things on hand for guests,” I say, feeling a little stupid, especially when it dawns on me what I said. “She liked to have them on hand.”

“Thanks,” Sterling says quickly like he wants to avoid making this worse for both of us.

When I return to the kitchen, Kai has made another plate for Sterling, but they’re already cleaning things up. “I’ll do that.”

“Don’t you want to swim?” Poppy asks.

“Taking care of this is the least I can do after you got me home and cooked me breakfast.” I look back down the hall. I need to talk to Sterling. I need to thank him for saving me once again. This time, I am determined that it will go differently than the last time. That will probably be easier without an audience.