Page 108 of At First Catch

Exactly the subtle family breakfast experience I wanted.

“I’m not stress eating.”

“Hads,” Crew says carefully, “you just inhaled that pancake like it insulted you personally.”

I hate everyone here.

Bailey fully abandons me at that point by dissolving into laughter beside Ivy.

Cowards. Both of them.

Holt leans back in his chair, watching me with alarming calm.

“So,” he says casually. “You and Nolan are spending a lot of time together lately.”

There it is. The conversation arrives like a sniper shot directly between my ribs.

“We work together sometimes.”

“Mm.”

I genuinely may strangle every person in this town who makes that sound.

Across the table, Rowan looks between Holt and me.

“Oh my God.”

Crew straightens. “Wait. What?”

The room suddenly feels about 12,000 degrees warmer.

Bailey physically abandons all loyalty by whispering, “This is better than reality television.”

I glare at her hard enough to communicate future violence. Unfortunately, Ivy looks seconds away from laughing too.

Bailey dabs imaginary tears dramatically. “I love romance.” Crew throws a napkin at her face.

Holt catches my eye across the table. He doesn’t say anything, just shakes his head once. The tiniest smile tugs at one corner of his mouth. Like maybe he’s not nearly as surprised as I hoped.

Holt stands first, carrying his empty plate toward the sink like nothing monumental just happened.

Typical.

Leave a grenade in the middle of family breakfast, then wander off for more coffee.

One by one, everyone else starts drifting away too. Oliver races Evelyn toward the back porch. Dean steals another piece of bacon while Mom pretends not to notice.

Bailey bumps my shoulder as she passes.

“You owe me details.”

“Go away.”

“That’s not a no.”

She bails before I can threaten her properly. I linger at the table, wrapping both hands around my coffee mug even though it’s gone cold.

Funny. A week ago, I would’ve spent the entire morning trying to figure out how to avoid this conversation. Now the only thing I can dwell on is the fact that Holt didn’t look angry. He looked...resigned. Almost amused.