After breakfast, the warmth of the morning settled into something easy, natural. Jaxon and Ethan argued over the best way to make coffee, while Lena sat on the counter, sipping her own cup and watching them with amusement. It was almost normal. Almost like nothing had happened. Almost like last night hadn't cracked something open inside her.
She wanted to hold onto that feeling for as long as she could.
Jaxon, still in his usual cocky way, smirked as he leaned against the counter. "So, Carter, what's on your grand agenda for today? More avoiding your feelings? Pretending I'm not devastatingly attractive?"
Lena rolled her eyes. "Neither of those things were ever on my to-do list, Walker."
Ethan scoffed. "Oh, please. You two are like an unsupervised chemistry experiment. It's only a matter of time before something explodes."
Jaxon smirked. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you and your awful coffee-making skills."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You drowned that coffee in creamer to the point it's basically a dessert."
Lena snorted into her mug. "He has a point, Ethan."
Ethan pointed a finger at both of them. "I don't need this kind of judgment first thing in the morning."
Jaxon leaned against the counter, smirking. "It's almost noon."
"Exactly." Ethan shook his head. "I should not be getting roasted before lunch."
Lena grinned, swinging her legs where she sat.
Jaxon stretched his arms above his head, his shirt lifting just enough for Lena to noticeânot that she was looking. Definitely not looking. "Well, Carter, as much as I enjoy your sparkling presence, are we actually dropping you off at home, or do you plan on making yourself comfortable here permanently?"
Lena smirked. "What, afraid you'll get too attached?"
Jaxon clicked his tongue, smirking. "Oh, absolutely. One more day, and you might actually start to grow on me."
Lena laughed, hopping off the counter. "Alright, alright. I'll get out of your hair. But I expect better coffee the next time I visit."
Jaxon grinned. "Noted. I'll make sure Ethan's not in charge."
Ethan groaned. "You two are the worst."
Lena just smirked as she grabbed her things. For now, everything felt okay. And for today, that was enough.