Page 24 of Stone
Naomi felt her face getting warm, even though she had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Were they naked or dressed?” Chloe teased, smirking across the table.
“Chloe,” Naomi chided. “Appropriate language around kids, please.”
Stone chuckled, then covered his mouth.
“Food’s ready,” Slice announced as he and Bear brought out the plates.
Thank goodness. Maybe the food would have her sisters shutting up and eating.
“Anybody need anything else?” Bear checked after everyone had food.
“I think we’re good, Bear. All on one tab for me,” Stone said.
Naomi took a bite of bacon while she listened to the sounds of people eating instead of her sisters or children embarrassing her. Naomi hadn’t realized how hungry she was until her bacon, scrambled eggs, and hash browns were in front of her. She tucked into her food, wiping her mouth when she was done.
Stone had ordered a larger meal and was still eating. He paused.
“If you’re still hungry, we can order you more, or I have plenty of bacon, sausages, and biscuits I can share,” he offered.
She hadn’t tried the sausages yet. Stone had ones that were flat and round for the biscuits but also the ones that looked like little hot dogs.
“Have you tried the sausages since you came? They are good, but I’ll admit they’re a treat dipped in syrup,” he suggested.
“I don’t want to take your food,” she protested softly.
He lifted his plate closer to hers and moved three of the four sausages onto her plate. Picking up one of the small condiment bowls on the table, he poured her syrup to dip her sausages in. He nodded his head, telling her to try it.
She looked at her fork and then looked around. It was fifty-fifty. Half the people were picking up the sausage and dipping it in the syrup with their hands, and the others were using a fork.
When she didn’t immediately do either, Stone reached over, picked up a sausage, dipped it in the syrup, and held it up to her mouth, cocking his eyebrow. Why did him offering to feed her send thoughts through her brain that had no business being there with her daughters at the table?
She leaned closer and took a bite. The burst of spices from the sausage and the sweetness of the syrup had her humming in delight.
“Oh, that’s really good,” she mumbled softly.
Stone nodded and handed the rest of the sausage to her. The silence of the table registered, and she turned to see what was going on. She’d been in her own little world with Stone.
“Stone shared food with someone,” Emerson marveled.
“I know, and he smiled. Do you think he has a virus?” Harry teased.
“How about you two eat more and talk less? I know you have early appointments today,” Stone grumbled.
His sisters giggled, sticking out their tongues, then got back to eating.
Did Stone really not share food? She wondered if that was a habit because of being in prison.
“Thanks for sharing. I will be ordering sausage next time,” she smiled.
He nodded and continued eating.
“Don’t be thinking that feeding us is going to make me forget about your outside swinging bed,” Phoebe warned.
“I don’t expect you to. If you girls want to have a sleepover out there, it’s fine with me, but I’ll need Naomi there to help supervise,” Stone said.
“Got it. Because it wouldn’t be appropriate for it to be just you since you’re not a dad to any of us or a Papa,” Phoebe acknowledged.
