Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Sienna
I’m not usually a breakfast person—my default is coffee to go—but after watching Milo make perfect plates the last few mornings, I feel this ridiculous urge to return the favor. Especially since we’ve got a full day of jungle chaos ahead.
My knee bounces against the cabinet as I crack eggs into the pan and crank the hob to high. High heat cooks faster, right? Obviously.
The eggs immediately start sizzling. I ignore the warning signs and move on to the next task, popping bread into the toaster as I pack the picnic basket I found yesterday.
I stuff it with sliced fruit, water, sunscreen, and snacks—all courtesy of the resort’s very generous “help yourself” snack bar by the pool that I raided.
My fingers tap restlessly on the counter. The usual chaos in my head feels different this morning—lighter, almost giddy. Like the idea of spending an entire day alone with Milo on an ATV in the jungle doesn’t completely terrify me.
The eggs are starting to smell… questionable. I peek into the pan and curse under my breath. They’re sticking to the bottom and browning like they’re trying to make a break for it.
“Come on, don’t betray me now!” I grumble, pushing them around aggressively with the spatula.
Behind me, the soft sound of bare feet on wood makes me spin. Milo walks in, hair deliciously sleep-mussed, wearing nothing but those low-slung gray sweatpants. His chest is bare, golden in the morning light, every line of muscle on full display.
Fuck me sideways.
He looks unfairly hot for someone who just rolled out of bed. My eyes do a quick, traitorous sweep of his chest down to the obvious morning wood in his sweats before I pull them back up.
“Morning,” I say, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “I’m making us breakfast.”
Milo stops in his tracks, his eyes flicking from me to the smoking pan. One dark brow lifts. “You are?”
“Yeah. I’m trying, anyway. Mostly burned it. I told you yesterday I can’t cook,” I wave the spatula dramatically. “I usually skip breakfast and get coffee-to-go. Turns out high heat isn’t the move when you have no idea what you’re doing.”
He crosses the kitchenette in three strides. His hands land softly on my hips from behind—warm, steady, sending a spark racing up my spine. He gently shifts me to the side, reaches past me, and pushes the pan off the burner.
“Eggs on high heat will always betray you,” he says, his voice low and amused right next to my ear. “You have to give them time to cook gently.”
I swallow hard. “Noted. I was going for speed.”
He doesn’t step back right away. His hands stay on my hips a beat longer, thumbs brushing slow circles over the fabric of his shirt I’m wearing. “You look better in this than I do.”
My stomach does a full cartwheel. I roll my eyes even as my cheeks heat. “Flattery this early? You’re getting bold.”
“Observation,” he murmurs, finally stepping back to rescue the eggs. He dumps the ruined ones in the trash and starts over, moving with that confident efficiency that shouldn’t be as attractive as it is. “And you’re the one being domestic now, huh?”
I laugh, turning back to the basket so he can’t see how much that comment flusters me. “You’ll thank me later. Aria and Ethan are definitely sending us on a wild goose chase for this ATV treasure hunt. Better to be prepared than starving and sunburned.”
He glances over his shoulder, that almost-smile playing on his lips. “So, what you’re basically saying is you’re taking care of me now?”
“Don’t let it get to your head,” I answer, stuffing two more water bottles into the basket because hydration matters, okay? “It’s purely selfishness.”
Milo chuckles. “Noted. Selfish picnic… I can live with that.”
“Good,” I grin. “Because you have no choice.”
While he finishes the eggs, I text Aria for clues on what we’re hunting for.
Me:
What exactly are we hunting for on this ATV treasure hunt? Give us a hint so we don’t die in the jungle pls
Her reply comes almost instantly.
Aria:
NO HINTS!!!! That’s the fun part. But let’s just say it involves something that squeaks. Good luck!
I read it out loud to Milo and groan. “Something that squeaks? Knowing her, we’re about to spend six hours chasing rubber ducks through the jungle.”
Milo plates the eggs perfectly, adds toast and fruit, then slides a plate in front of me. “It’s a good thing you’ve packed a picnic, then. We’ll need fuel to survive your sister’s rubber-duck safari.”
I take the plate, our fingers brushing. A little spark jumps between us. “Thank you. For fixing my culinary disaster.”
“Anytime,” he leans against the counter, watching me with those storm-gray eyes that always see too much. “You really did try. That counts for something.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still the chaos queen. You’re the domestic one.”
He almost smiles, but there’s something softer in it now. “Maybe we’re both learning new tricks.”
“Do you want to eat out on the deck?” I blurt, then immediately wince. “I mean—eat the food on the deck. Not… me.” My cheeks burn as I grab the plate and make a beeline for the door. “Wow. I’m just gonna shut up now and go eat out there. Alone…. preferably.”
Milo’s low chuckle follows me, warm and way too amused. “I’ll make the coffee and be right out.”
I nod quickly and slip onto the deck. The morning sun feels good on my skin as I sink into a chair, trying to steady my bouncing knee.
Minutes later, Milo joins me, sliding a mug of coffee and a glass of orange juice my way.
I murmur a thank-you, keeping my eyes glued to my plate as if it’s the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen.
The silence between us is comfortable, but there’s that familiar charge beneath it—the same one that kept me up half the night, clutching his shirt.
My knee starts bouncing again under the table.
You’ve been in New York longer than anywhere else, Aria’s voice whispers in my head. That’s not nothing.
Milo’s foot gently nudges mine beneath the table. “Knee’s going again.”
I still it for half a second, biting back a smile. “Sienna Harlow special. It never fully shuts off. Especially not when I’m thinking about chasing squeaky things through the jungle with you.”
He grins. “Careful there, Sienna. Keep talking like that and I might start thinking you actually like spending time with me.”
I glance up at him through my lashes, fighting a smile. “Dangerous assumption, Milo.”
His eyes sparkle with quiet mischief and my cheeks flame. We finish eating as the sun climbs higher, warming my already sun-kissed skin. When we’re finished, I stand first, reaching for the plates.
“I’ll wash these and then get ready,” I say. “We should head out soon before the sun gets relentless.”
Milo rises too, gently taking the plates from my hands. “I’ve got the dishes. You go get ready.”
I look up at him and feel that familiar pull again—the same one that made me bolt into my room last night. Aria’s words from last night about this time being different and maybe him being the one who can keep up with my chaos come to mind.
God, I want to believe her. Standing here in the soft morning light, with Milo looking at me like he wouldn’t mind if I stayed right here all day… it’s getting harder to convince myself this is just casual attraction.
I take a small step back. “Thank you.” I manage, forcing a playful grin even though my mouth has gone dry.
It takes me another fourteen seconds of awkward hovering before I finally slip inside and disappear into my room.