Mia's POV
I was already making breakfast when Paula walked in, barefoot and slightly dazed, carrying her heels in one hand.
She blinked at the smell of cinnamon and coffee. "You're up early."
I raised an eyebrow. "So are you. Or… were you ever asleep?"
She gave me a tired smile and dropped onto a stool. "Define sleep."
I set a mug in front of her. "Define Ezra Saint."
Paula choked on her coffee.
I grinned. "So I take it things went well last night?"
She gave me a look. "You knew exactly what you were doing when you invited us to that dinner."
I shrugged, flipping the pancakes. "I only wanted good food and good company. The fireworks were a bonus."
Paula was silent for a moment, swirling the coffee with her spoon. "He kissed me."
I stopped, looking over my shoulder. "And?"
"And it was… surprising. Real. Like something I wasn't expecting but didn't know I needed."
"That's not a bad thing."
"No, but it's terrifying," she muttered. "You of all people know how hard I've worked to keep things uncomplicated."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah. But sometimes, the best things grow from a little chaos."
Before she could respond, the door chimed.
Ryan.
He stood at the entrance like he belonged there, casual in a navy shirt and black pants, silver eyes flicking from Paula to me. "Morning."
"Morning," Paula said, already rising. "I should get going. Babies don't wait for gynecologists."
She winked at me and squeezed my shoulder on her way out.
Once we were alone, Ryan stepped closer. "You look… well-rested."
"I am well-rested," I replied carefully, placing pancakes on two plates. "Hungry?"
"I could eat," he said, sitting. "But I also wanted to ask how long you're staying in the penthouse."
I blinked. "I thought we weren't doing the roommate countdown."
"Just curious." His voice was calm, but his eyes watched me too closely.
We ate in relative silence. But I could feel it—the tension simmering between us, a thread stretched thin. It wasn't like before. Ryan seemed… softer. But not weak. Just quieter. Measured.
"Lia and Reo left again," he said. "So Eric might be staying with you for a few more days."
I smiled. "That's fine. I love having him around."
Ryan looked at me then, and for a second, something flickered behind his eyes. Longing? Regret? I couldn't tell.
"Thank you," he said, voice low.
"For breakfast?"
"For everything."
It wasn't like him to say things like that. Not Ryan Saint.
And just like that—I was back to overthinking.