Page 82 of Forever Mine
I shoot him the middle finger. “Jay didn’t wake up.”
“A herd of elephants tap dancing on his chest wouldn’t wake him up.”
True.
Liz transfers her hug from me to Ry. He bands an arm around her lower back and greets her with a kiss.
“Good morning.”
“I don’t consider three to be morning. The sun needs to come up first,” she says.
The coffee maker sputters and coughs before finally clicking off. After adding sweetener, because plain coffee is vile as hell, I take a sip and immediately scald my tongue.
“Next time I zonk out like that, carry my ass to my room. Jay kept kicking me in the face.”
“Why the fuck is everyone up at this ungodly hour?” Jay walks over and wraps his arms around Liz from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. Ry doesn’t say a word.
“Blame Jules.”
“Nope. Not my fault. I’d still be asleep if someone’s toe wasn’t trying to embed itself in my brain.”
“Whatever,” Jay replies, kissing the top of Liz’s head before stealing my coffee.
I attempt to rescue it, but he retreats behind Liz.
“Asshole.”
“Finders keepers. This is really good. You should make yourself some.”
“Major asshole.” I start making a fresh cup and park myself in front of the Keurig, prepared to guard it with my life.
“Hey!” Jay says when Liz snatches the coffee from his grasp.
“Finders keepers,” she parrots, grinning.
“Anyone hungry for pancakes?” Ry asks.
Liz and I raise our hands. Jay walks into the pantry and comes out with a box of cereal. Instead of pouring some into a bowl, he starts eating it dry.
“Don’t be gross.” I grab a bowl from the cabinet and set it down on the island counter next to him.
“April’s coming today, right?” Jay asks.
Liz passes the coffee cup back to Jay. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
She takes a Cheerio from Jay’s hand and lobs it up in the air. Jay catches it in his mouth, and they high-five in celebration.
“Is she staying in E’s dorm?” Jay asks.
“I told Elijah she could crash here.”
“We’re kind of at capacity.”
Ry offers a quick, workable solution. “I can stop by Target later and pick up an air mattress.”
“She can sleep at my place,” Liz offers.
“I’ll mention it to Elijah.”
