CALISTA POV

I've thought about resting for the past seven months. Believing that I would be able to close my eyes if I could get to see him again, even if it would only last for a sliver of time.
Last night, I got that dream granted. We hugged, and I felt every part of him. We held hands and talked. It's all that I ever wanted. But when I stepped into my room, I learned that no amount of time with him would be given me, that would ever be enough as long as we weren't together anywhere at any given time. So all those days that I thought things would be easier if I could see him, I had been wrong. I forgot that greed existed. And now after the talk I had with him about his past, I just fell for him, even more, deeper than I can help myself.

Sleep couldn't relieve me from restlessness, or maybe it was because I barely have it.

Last night in my bed, after I turned off the lights, I just tossed and turned. Sleep didn't come. What slightly warmed me up was the flowers he artfully made into a crown for me. It was the most charmingest gesture I've ever received. I thought I should keep it even when it dried up.

So right now in the morning, after reading different alternatives for extending a flower's life, I mist the crown with water, intending to place it in the fridge.

"What are you doing?" Myles's voice came through as I opened the fridge.

Startled, I spun. Immediately hiding the crown behind me.

"Nothing." I quickly said in a small panicky voice.

He is wearing casual grey joggers and a plain white t-shirt. He pulls the same stool he sat on last night. When he lowers into it, his elbows rest on the surface of the island, and he leans his face into his palms. His eyes amusingly watched me through the loudest quiet there has ever been.

"What?" I chuckled. The gorgeous smile on his face is making me edgy and unduly curious about what is running in his mind.

"I will often make that for you. You don't have to worry."

Shit!

He caught me.

His lips twitch with a controlled smile, while his eyes skid my body flirtatiously as mom walks in.

"Good morning, early birds." Mom chimed in. She pats Myles on the back as she advances toward the coffee machine. He bit his bottom lip and looked away while mom placed a fond kiss on my temple.

She peeked behind me before I could rearrange my stance.
"Why is the fridge open and what are you hiding there?"

My eyes terrifyingly widened when she hummed. Her eyebrows are raised observingly in my direction.

In a slightly brittle tone, I stutter, "It's n-nothing."And screw my eyes shut when she steps towards the deep fryer, after grabbing a container from the still-open fridge with a straightforward agreeable smile she normally puts on when she knows a lot more than I wanted her to.

"Myles, tell me a little about your mom, so I will know what to cook for her." Mom began, but I know she wanted a hint not because she worries about the food, given she's a good cook, but because she's anxious about what to expect and how to prepare.

Finally, I closed the fridge and decided to wear my flower crown, since it was obvious mom had connected the dots and Myles even promised to make me another one anytime. I will just go with the flow.

While he enlightens mom about his mother as she is preparing breakfast, listening intently, I grab two mugs from the cabinet and add the coffee I brew.

The last time I saw him with coffee, he liked it with too much cream and a bit of sugar, so I made it precisely the same and handed it over to him.

"Thank you." He mouthed when I caught his eyes blazing with a mischievous smile. "Cali met her last year."

What? He did not just tell mom that. I thought we were not talking about last summer with anyone.

"Really?" Mom's sensitive gaze is a little dilated when she glances at me. "You didn't mention that."

"Uhmm... I was busy with school resumption and all." I muttered almost inwardly.

"She wouldn't tell us how she spent the summer break." Mom complained to Myles, and he abruptly chortled.

I can't believe him.

"Oh really? And she really enjoyed it. We loved every second while she was there." He told mom and I almost choked, spitting back the coffee I just sipped.

He eyed me, attracting mom's concentration on me too. My definitely red face hides behind the coffee mug.
"Wasn't it remarkable? It was highly memorable." He amusingly taunted me.

Haha. I am glad he's entertained by all this.

Their sets of eyes, the anticipation behind them, and my nerves fussing; all result in finally having me choke. This time on my saliva.

"What's memorable?" And in comes Brayden.

Just great.

Myles sat back on the stool while my mom briefed the topic to my brother.

He chuckles and snatches the coffee that I had spit back into. I didn't stop him, though. It's the least I could do, as he wears smugness in the kitchen.

"It was surely memorable," he said when he took a sip.

"I was going to tell Myles to assist you with how to respect the alarm. But here I say it." Mom said while he kissed her on the cheek from behind, and shoved a long hand toward the bacon she was preparing. Mom shook her head at him and grabbed a plate from the worktop, arranging hash browns, eggs, and bacon, and handing it over to him even though he came in late.

"I do have a list of things you will get for me from the store." Mom told him as he situated himself next to Myles.

She prepared Myles's breakfast and sat the plate in front of him. He politely thanked her and she waved it off. It's nice how he gets along with her and even with dad too.

"Why wouldn't dad do it? Everyone out there is always painfully gawking and nice."

"Your dad will be helping me, and our guest will be here soon. It's best to have him and me at door reach." She explained, and Brayden's eyes went around, darting at me when he was done being dramatic.

My lips parted, but he was sharp to beat me up to it.
"Why wouldn't she go?"

I knew he would point me out.

"It wasn't me that mom asked."

"Oh please, you know this place better than me."

I gasped with shock. He's unbelievable.
"Actually I don't. You lived eighteen years of your life here, and so did I."

"I will come with you." Myles suddenly offered. At first, I thought he was talking to Brayden, but with the way mom applauded, my thoughts rotated.

He was looking at me when my eyes traveled over to him.

Shopping for groceries with Myles Cameron? I undoubtedly would trade everything in the world for it. Who wouldn't?

"Perfect." I chuckled like every girl in my position would.

"You know what? I would go."
My eyes rolled heavenward at the exclamation of my absolutely insane brother.

"Just a second ago you had no interest in being attacked by either nice and gawking set of eyes. So no." I fired at him.

"I think it would be better if I chose mom's favorite products. I still recall her list," Myles deliberately added, earning a fixed spot.

I swear I saw Brayden's pupils flare and his jaw twitch at Myles. I do not understand. Just yesterday he told me Myles was innocent and all and vowed to support my decisions. I guess he forgot his promise.

Folding my arms around my chest, I watched him with disappointment lying on my countenance. He noticed the knowing look, and his brows hardened, bringing slight creases on his forehead and his jaws to clench. It's obvious he's still having trouble accepting the idea of us.

"I will come along then." He gulped.

"Cool." Mom smiled and held out my full plate while I puffed out.