A Mysterious Man novel Chapter 9

"Jonah," my mother asked, concerned. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," I gasped out. "I'm fine."

"Okay…" she trailed off, looking unconvinced, but she went back to eating. Her hair was straight this morning, but she didn't look any less beautiful. Her outfit was slightly nicer than the day before, with black heels, lighter skinny jeans, and a pretty dark blue top that made her eyes stand out like neon lights. She had simple diamond studs in her ears that my dad had given her for an anniversary that he had actually remembered.

Grayson hadn't said anything the entire time, but instead put some eggs and a piece of toast on his plate. He put butter and jelly on the toast before taking a huge bite of it. When he pulled it away from his mouth I saw that at least a third of it was gone, disappearing into his mouth that led to his stomach. That rock hard one with the amazing abs…

We ate in silence for a few minutes, no one knowing what to say. My mom tried to start a conversation a few times, but when nobody really responded she gave up. Kennedy continued to shove bacon in her mouth almost faster than she could chew it, but that was normal. I had no clue how she stayed as skinny as she did. She looked like a twig most of the time.

Then, after finishing what he had on his plate, Grayson made the mistake of reaching for the last piece of bacon. Before he could get to it though, Kennedy saw where his hand was going and snatched the entire plate and pulled it toward her.

She sounded like Gollum from TheLord of the Rings when she stated in a low voice, "My bacon."

Mom and I couldn't help but burst out laughing. You never got in the way of Kennedy when she wanted a piece of bacon. She could eat it all day - and we had seen her attempt to do it before too. She got until about four p.m. and then she had to quit.

Grayson let out a small smile as he looked at me, those dark eyes staring at me and making me uneasy. Why was he looking at me like that? Did I have something on my face? I really hoped that I didn't, but I discreetly wiped my face with my napkin… just in case.

The rest of breakfast went by without any more altercations over the possession of food, or anyone choking. Considering that my mother was dining with us, I thought that the lack of explicit or inappropriate comments was very surprising. We all helped to clean up the dishes, me taking my plates along with Kennedy's. Grayson took Mom's and his to the kitchen and placed them in the sink, his tanned arm brushing along mine as he passed through the doorway next to me. The contact made all the hairs on my arms raise and my skin tingle. I hated that he affected me that way, especially with how crazy he had been acting since I had met him the day before.