Flawlessly Broken: (Broken Series Book 2) by Anna Paige Page A

up. I just was not a morning person. My brain refused to engage without copious amounts of coffee. And yet that morning made two in a row that I’d been able to act like a human before being properly caffeinated.
    Ali would be so proud.
    Like there was a telepathic tether that tugged at her every time she crossed my mind, my phone chirped with a text from the bestie herself.
    Ali: Good morning, Sunshine. Got a call from my mom. She was pissed. Said you chided her like a child. You know what that means, right? I owe you a present or something. Chocolate or wine? Your call. Call you after lunch. xx
    I chuckled and held my phone out for Spencer, who read it with an ever-widening grin.
    “You guys got a contest going to see who can irritate Eileen the most?” He joked.
    “Something like that. Let’s just say that the game makes it less likely that one of us ends up strangling her.”
    His brow creased in thought. “Maybe I should consult Clay about an arrangement like that for Gran. That woman is a handful.” He grimaced. “On second thought, maybe antagonizing her isn’t the best idea. She’s got no problem going after someone’s ass and I’d hate to be the guy who got beat down by an octogenarian.”
    I giggled into my mug.
    He leveled that penetrating stare at me, all humor gone in an instant. “How are you feeling this morning? Any dizziness or nausea?” He took in my features, eyes darting over my face. “You don’t look as pale as you did last night.”
    “I’m fine. Honestly. Much better today, thank you.” It was on the tip of my tongue to mention the sleeping arrangement but he cut me off.
    “You said you were fine five minutes after it happened, as I recall. Are you fine today the same way you were fine then?” He wasn’t letting up.
    I blew out an annoyed breath. He was already back to being pushy. “No, Spencer, I really am fine.” I turned to check the casserole, needing to get away from his stare.
    Those dark, intense eyes really should come with a warning label. ‘May cause uncontrollable vaginal twitching’ or something similar would suffice.
    I spoke over my shoulder, needing a minute to gather my thoughts. “Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. I hope you like Italian sausage and spinach.”
    He didn’t respond immediately, no doubt taking in my every movement and trying to decide if I was telling the truth about my condition. After an extended pause, “I’m not hard to please. It smells great.”
    His voice was still concerned but he was coming around. Thank goodness. If he kept watching me like that, I was in serious danger of tossing myself onto the counter and offering him an entirely different breakfast.
    Get yourself under control, Natalia, before you embarrass yourself and make a mess of things. Not just for yourself but for Ali and Clay, who would undoubtedly get stuck in the middle. So, quit your damn panting.
    “Sweetheart?”
    Spencer’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I realized he’d been talking to me. “I’m so sorry. What were you saying?”
    The eagle eyes were back, roving over me with concern. “I was saying that since the doctor suggested you not drive for a couple of days, you’re going to need someone to drive you to...” he trailed off and lifted the tiny envelope that held Cameron’s message for Amelia. “If you’re okay with it, I thought I’d take you.” His expression softened.
    I swallowed hard and nodded, turning back to take plates from the cabinet for our breakfast. “That would be nice, thank you.” I gathered the silverware and set it beside the plates. “I don’t know what you had in mind when you knocked on my door Friday night, but I’m guessing whatever you envisioned was a far cry from what you got.”
    “I’ve learned never to have expectations, makes life simpler.”
    It wasn’t so much his words, with which I tended to agree, but the way he said it that caught my attention. When I glanced over my shoulder his