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“Give me two minutes,” I say, heading for the bathroom.

“Okay.” She smiles and opens the bedroom door, disappearing down the hall.

I don’t know if my roommates realize she’s here and I’m momentarily concerned someone may wander down to the kitchen naked. Felix hates wearing clothes and Ashton is always shirtless.

Christ, I hope the guys don’t traumatize her, although everyone is respectful and I’m pretty sure Maya can take care of herself. Still, I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable when she’s here.

I dress in record time, brush my teeth and then take the stairs two at a time.

I immediately hear laughter in the kitchen, and Maya’s laugh is distinct. Whatever’s going on, she’s happy, which is a relief.

“Morning.” I walk in and see Blaze covered in…batter? And Maya shaking her head as she attempts to teach him how to make perfectly round pancakes on our new griddle. “What are we doing?”

“I was trying to master pancakes,” Blaze mumbles. “But I was getting more on myself than on the griddle.”

“It’s a gentle touch,” Maya explains patiently. “Give me your hand.”

Blaze puts out his hand, and she closes his fingers around the handle of the large mixing bowl the batter is in. Then she closes her hand around his and guides it to the griddle.

“Slow and steady,” she says. “See? Just like that.”

I’m a little mesmerized watching her teaching Blaze to cook.

“I did it!” he announces triumphantly, just as Felix wanders in wearing nothing but his boxers.

“Dude.” I give him a pointed look.

“What? I wear less at the beach,” he says.

“We’re leaving anyway.” Maya grins. “Hi, Felix. Blaze, you’re a good student. Let me know how the rest of the batch goes.”

And with that, she breezes out the door.

“You did not tell me you had a guest,” Felix says to me.

“Sorry. Next time I’ll send a message in our group chat.”

I should have.

I was just a little distracted by the gorgeous woman in my bed.

* * *

I drop Maya off at Reid’s and promise to be back for him in about ninety minutes. Then I head home to get something to eat since I can’t go to practice on an empty stomach.

When I walk in, the kitchen is full. Simon, Ashton, Blaze, and Felix are standing by the counter watching pancakes cook.

“Are we watching them or eating them?” I ask.

Blaze grins. “Both. I just took a video and sent it to my mom.”

“Yeah, but what do they taste like?”

He shrugs. “I guess we’re going to find out. I found a recipe online for protein pancakes—they’re supposed to be delicious but also healthy.”

Felix grabs plates and I get some silverware while Simon puts out butter and syrup. I have zero expectations but it’ll be a pleasant surprise if they’re good.

“So.” Simon grins at me. “We’ve had our first sleepover.”