Page 77 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Good morning, Kayla,” she says brightly. “How do you feel today?”

I give up on chasing after Jackson and smile back at her. “Good. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. Did you eat yet?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I’m going to work on this first.” She nods, understanding perfectly. “I’m on my way to get coffee too.” She glances over her shoulder at the table where Ransom and Noah are.

“There’s plenty of room,” I tell her. She leaves to get coffee, and I walk over to the table and slide onto the bench seat next to Noah.

“I’m going to get more food,” Ransom says, pushing his chair back. “I’ll be back.”

Noah turns to me with big eyes. “That’s his third plate.”

I laugh. “I guess that’s what you have to look forward to when you grow up.” I take another sip of my coffee and remember the protein I was supposed to get. “Oh, I forgot to get you protein.”

“Here,” Jackson says, appearing next to me. “I brought bacon and sausage; take what you want.” I swallow hard when Noah looks at both of them with a look of indecision. Before I can say anything, Jackson pushes the plate towards him. “Take both; I’ll get more.”

Noah demolishes the first piece of bacon and then starts on the sausage. I know how much he loves both of them. Jackson nudges my knee with his, and I realize he’s sitting next to me on the bench seat. It’s a tight fit; there’s barely an inch between us. “I brought you some food too.” He puts a plate in front of me.

My eyes widen at the plate of food. “Did you bring me the entire buffet?”

He shrugs. “I’ll eat what you don’t.”

I lift my coffee. “I’m happy with just this.”

“Eat,” he all but growls at me again. I take in his plate that’s filled to overflowing and shake my head. Then Ransom comes back, and I shake my head.

“Man, you guys know how to put it away.” They both smirk but don’t say anything. “Oh, Ransom, how do you drink your coffee?” I ask suddenly.

He gives me a look. “In a cup.”

“Seriously?” I try again. “Do you drink it black or with—” I don’t even get to finish my question.

“Black.”

“Really?” I ask.

He eyes me. “Is that bad?”

“Yes.”

Sage and Paul join us a moment later. “Morning,” Paul says to our group.

“Good morning,” I say in return as they get settled next to Ransom.

“You must be Noah,” Paul says with a warm smile. Noah nods, and Sage smiles at him.

“I’m Sage, and this is Paul.”

“Okay.” I lean forward after the introductions. “How do you both drink your coffee?”

“Black,” Paul says, and I frown.

“Whenever possible, I drink iced coffee with cream and sugar. If it’s hot, I do flavored creamer,” Sage says.

“Me too.” I scowl at the men. “That’s how you’re supposed to drink coffee.”

“Oh, don’t even bother,” Sage says, waving a piece of bacon in her hand. “All guys are the same; they all drink it black. It’s so boring.”