Break fast

The kitchen smelled like coffee and toast. Soft morning light spilled across the countertops, making everything feel quieter than it really was. John stood at the stove, watching bread brown in the toaster. Claire leaned against the fridge, one leg tucked under the other, sipping from her mug.

She hadn’t said much yet.

Neither had he.

But the air was full of things left unsaid from the night before.

Claire finally spoke. “Can I ask you something?”

John looked over. “Yeah?”

She set her mug down, slow and careful.

“Was the kiss too much?”

He blinked. “What?”

“Last night. Me and Marcus,” she said. “Was that too far?”

John took a breath, turned back to the toaster. “It was a game.”

Claire stepped closer. “I know. But it didn’t have to be that intense.”

He didn’t respond right away.

Claire waited.

Finally, John said, “You were into it. That’s okay.”

She tilted her head. “But are you okay?”

He turned and faced her. “I didn’t mind.”

Claire narrowed her eyes a little. “That’s your neutral voice.”

John smiled a little. “I didn’t hate it.”

She stepped in, closer now, hands brushing his. “I need more than that.”

He looked down at her. “It turned me on.”

Claire softened, a hint of relief crossing her face.

“But,” John added, “I don’t want it to be something I hear about after. If it’s going to keep happening… I want to be there.”

Claire nodded slowly. “So — okay if I kiss him. But only if you’re watching?”

“Exactly.”

Claire reached up and kissed him. Soft. Thankful.

“Deal,” she said.

Just then, footsteps came down the hall.

Marcus and Nia entered the kitchen, both looking casually dressed and unusually relaxed. Nia wore Marcus’s hoodie, long enough to nearly cover her shorts. Marcus had that usual calm air, like nothing from the night before lingered.

“Morning, roommates,” Nia grinned, grabbing a mug. “You two look like you survived the jungle.”

Claire laughed. “Barely.”

Marcus nodded to John. “Sleep okay?”

John just nodded.

Nia poured her coffee. “I was thinking… we should go out today.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “Out?”

“Shopping,” Nia said. “There’s a spot across town with a boutique that’s filthy good for tight stuff.”

Claire perked up. “Sexy stuff?”

“Oh, yeah. Dresses that shouldn’t even count as legal.”

Claire grinned. “Say less.”

John glanced over. Claire caught his look and smiled.

“You coming too?” she asked him.

He shrugged. “Sure.”

Nia smirked. “Oh, you’ll want to be there. Trust me.”

Claire sipped her coffee and leaned on the counter beside Marcus.

“Okay,” she said. “Let’s go see how much trouble we can get into.”