Chapter 2

He heard her coming down the hallway as Aimee talked to him about something cute Abigail did the other day. At least, he assumed it was cute. The little girl was only three years old, after all. He didn’t hear any of it, because he was too busy listening for Karla.

And Brad.

Mitch grinned as he picked up his coffee cup, the steam bathing his face as he took a sip. He just set the cup back on the table when Karla appeared, stopping abruptly, causing Brad to run into her as she just stared at Mitch, acting as if she had just been caught doing something wrong. She still didn’t understand. Even after their conversation a few nights ago about non-traditional relationships, she expected him to be just like everyone else.

Mitch Greenway was far from being like anyone else. He didn’t have a typical bone in his body or a typical thought in his head. As a matter of fact, typical was the last word he would use to describe himself or his lifestyle.

“Good morning,” he said, smiling. “Aimee was nice enough to make me some coffee, but she says Brad’s pancakes were worth waiting around for.”

“What are you doing here?” Karla said, her tone snapping to irritation as she crossed the room to stand in front of Mitch, her hands on her hips. Then her eyes shot to her sister. “Don’t tell me that last night…”

“What?” Aimee looked shocked as she stared at her sister. “No. Clint was here last night. He had to pick up Abigail this morning, so he left earlier.”

Karla shot her gaze back to Mitch who just smiled at her. He enjoyed seeing her confused. It did her good to be kicked out of her control once in a while. “Then again, I ask, why are you here?”

Mitch couldn’t keep the grin from his face as he lifted his coffee cup to his lips again, gesturing to Brad with it as he did. “I heard Brad made damn good pancakes and thought I’d give them a try.” He winked at his friend, who stood behind Karla as if she was a shield. Mitch couldn’t blame the man. The last time the two of them saw each other was when Karla dragged him along on Mitch’s date with her sister. She did everything she could to ruin the night, even bringing up how Mitch and she had sex in his garage. Brad just stood there, feeling awkward, bouncing his gaze back and forth. Finally, he just left, Aimee right behind him, the former confused, the latter pissed. Mitch had just shaken his head at Karla, letting her know she was ridiculous, just before he, too, left.

Brad stood there, hands stuffed in his pockets, as he rolled his eyes. He then turned to face Karla. “I truly should have known that a night with you wouldn’t be totally drama free.”

“Wait,” Karla said, spinning so that she faced Brad. “You think this is my fault? I didn’t invite him here.”

“And yet, he’s here,” Brad said as he gestured toward Mitch with a lift of his chin. “You told me you didn’t have a relationship to worry about, remember? You also said that your sister was dating the guy down the hall, so that means Mitch is only here for one other person, and it isn’t me.”

Karla spun on Mitch, and it was all he could do not to bust out laughing. He didn’t know Brad was there when he decided to pop in and surprise Karla, wanting to take her out to breakfast. No, that part was merely a bonus. “Don’t you ever call first? Tell him we’re not in a relationship.”

Mitch cocked his head, turning his lips down in a pout. “But, sweetie, why do you want me to lie to him?”

“That’s not funny, damn it. Now, tell him the truth, and then tell me why you’re here.”

Mitch glanced past her to Brad, smiling even bigger. “Cute when she’s bossy, isn’t she?” He shrugged. “Fine. We’re not in a relationship. There. Happy?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Not by a long shot. Why are you here?” She asked the question one more time through gritted teeth.

“Well, I was going to offer to take you to breakfast, but I was unaware you were previously occupied. I could take you both and you could tell me about your night?”

She ignored him and turned on her sister, who still stood by the coffee maker, sipping her morning cup while enjoying the show. “And you let him in? You knew Brad was here.”

Aimee did her best to look innocent, but Mitch could spot a phony from a mile away. “I knew he was here last night. I didn’t know he would be here this morning.”

Karla shoved her fists down at her side. “Yes you did. You knew it, because you know me. GRRRRR.”

Aimee lifted her cup to her lips, trying to use the rim to hide her smile. “Not true. You usually like to kick them out as soon as they serve their purpose, because you don’t want them to see you with that sleep crud in the corner of your mouth.”

Karla quickly wiped at the corners of her mouth, then stopped when her sister giggled.

Mitch tapped the table with his hand as he shoved himself out of the chair. “Well, Brad, are you going to make us pancakes or not. Aimee raves about them. If not, I’m going to head to the diner and grab a bite before work.”

“He is not making you pancakes,” Karla practically growled. She pointed a finger at Aimee. “I’ll deal with you later.” She turned back to Mitch, who slid his hands into his pockets. “And you can go eat at the diner.”

“Really? That’s just mean. We’re all friends here, aren’t we? Brad, you don’t mind if I stay for breakfast, do you?”

Brad kept bouncing his gaze between the other three, lost as to what to do or say or even think, more than likely. Karla, however, didn’t give him a chance to say anything. “It doesn’t matter if he minds or not. I mind. You weren’t invited. Now, go.” She pointed at the door.

“Wow,” Mitch said, with a shake of his head as he started for the door. “You sure are testy in the morning. I don’t remember you being like this yesterday.” He turned and gave Aimee a wink. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“Anytime,” Aimee said with a smirk.

He opened the door and turned back to Brad and Karla. “Good seeing you again, Brad. Karla, enjoy your pancakes.” He blew her a kiss and then sauntered out her front door, listening to her frustrated growl as he closed it behind him.

Satisfaction filling him, Mitch whistled as he strolled toward the elevator doors at the end of the corridor. Some mornings just start off better once you’ve had that first cup of coffee.