I crept downstairs. I thought I heard sounds coming from the back of the house.

“Hello?” I called into the hallway.

“Good morning.” The bathroom door opened and Jake stood in front of me. Toothbrush in hand. Towel wrapped around his waist.

Holy shit. I wanted to count every indentation on his stomach.

“G-good morning,” I stammered. My eyes stopped where the towel was tucked at his hipbone.

The water rolled down his chest. The rest of his body was as gorgeous as his rugged face.

Part of me thought yesterday had been a dream. Too much wine. Too much time alone. But here he was. Jake was standing in front of me half-naked and wet.

“Sleep ok?” he asked. He turned to spit in the sink.

“Mmmhmm. How about you? How was the apartment? Did you freeze? Do you need more blankets?” I should have checked on him.

“Great. Slept like a bear.” He winked. “Looks like there’s another storm coming today. What if I tackle some of the inside things? I can’t do as much in the rain.”

I nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll make breakfast.”

I left him to towel off and get dressed while I worked on breakfast. I would need to make a trip into town and buy groceries. But I had enough bacon and eggs to feed him. A man like that must eat a ton.

I threw a few pieces of bacon in a frying pan. In a few minutes, they began to sizzle. I started a pot of coffee.

It was nice to cook. It felt natural and normal to make a meal for someone else again. I began to hum as I whipped the eggs in a bowl.

“Smells good.” Jake appeared in the doorway.

I smiled. I couldn’t help it. It was raining and dreary and cold as hell outside, but I felt like there was something to be happy about with Jake in the kitchen.

“Want some coffee?” I offered.

“I’ll take a cup.” He sat at the kitchen table.

I poured coffee into a large mug and handed it to him. “I have a realtor coming by later today.”

“Oh yeah?” He watched as I hovered over the stove. I added cream to the eggs and started whisking again.

“I need to get things started to list the house. I have no idea what price to put on it. The property is several acres, the waterfront, the barn, and the house.”

“Hmm. You’re sure you want to sell it? I’ve never seen anything like this place.”

I turned to face him. “It’s too much work. I can’t take care of it by myself. It might be different if…”

I wasn’t sure what would make it all change. If Elliot had lived. If my parents were still here. If I had someone in my life to share all of this with.

“You don’t have to explain. I get it.” He sipped the coffee and looked out of the bay window. “The view from here is amazing. Sure beats looking at the desert.”

“It’s like we’re the only people in the world. It’s so isolated. I think that’s why my parents bought it. They wanted a refuge for Elliot and me. Someplace we could go that would protect us from the rest of the world.” I poured the eggs into the pan. “I just wish he had been here more.”

“I’m sure he wished that too.” Jake’s voice was quiet.

I pulled two plates from the cabinet and served bacon, eggs, and toast. I wished I had some fruit. Oh well.

“I don’t know if I can believe that.” Every time I thought about Elliot leaving it started the roller coaster of grief again. If only he had stayed.

I sat across from Jake.

“I don’t know if this will make you feel any better, but your brother died doing something he loved.”

My eyes shot to his. “It doesn’t.” I instantly regretted snapping at him.

I didn’t think I could explain how I teetered in me grief. One minute I was sad. The next furious, and then nostalgic with memories of Elliot. It had been a month since I received the news my brother had died in Kiawai.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t mention it.” Jake finished his bacon and eggs and pushed back from the table. “I’m going to head to the store. I’ll be back in an hour or so. Need anything?”

He paused in front of the kitchen door.

“No.”

“All right.”

He walked out. I heard his footsteps fade and then the front door close behind him.