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breakfast?” he asked.
    “Yeah,” I said.
    He smiled a genuine smile. “Goodnight,” he said standing. He stooped low and planted a kiss on my cheek. With a laugh he disappeared out the door. I put my hand to my cheek. It tingled and I smiled to myself.

Chapter Three
    I awoke before my alarm went off but I felt fully rested so I climbed out of the bed ready to begin my day. After my disastrous shower the night before I thought I’d be better suited to avoid that until later. I rummaged through my suitcase hoping to find my curling iron.
    Aha! Found it.
    I pulled the metal object out of my bag. Even in my haste to pack yesterday I had remembered it and my makeup bag. Hmm, maybe I could operate under stress.
    I scurried into the bathroom and quickly curled my dark , red-hued, hair into soft waves that cascaded down my back. I dabbed on some makeup, enough to look professional, but not enough to look like a canvas.
    I pulled out my black pencil skirt and a white, crisp, button down shirt. I tucked the shirt into the skirt and rolled the sleeves up to my elbows. I slipped on a pair of black heels that buckled at the ankle.
    I grabbed my purse and realized that I didn’t have my messenger bag that contained my laptop. I put my head in my hands. This was bad. I needed my laptop for work. Maybe I could get a taxi and go by and get it before I left for work.
    Yeah, if Rajas hasn’t dumped all your s t uff out the window yet.
    I scrunched my nose in disgust. Well, there was nothing I could do yet.
    I ventured out into the hallway and down the steps.  I could hear the sounds of sizzling bacon coming from the kitchen so I headed there.
    Siva stood in front of the stove, his back to me, furiously cooking. He was tall and lean but not lacking in the muscle department.
    “Morning,” I said.
    Startled he turned, “Hey sunshine,” he said with a smile. “I hope eggs and bacon are okay?”
    “Of course,” I said and took a seat on one of the stools.
    “Good,” he grinned turning back to me.
    “I didn’t know you cooked,” I said.
    “I do,” he said. “Who did you think made your dinner last night?”
    “Not you,” I said and he chuckled.
    He grabbed the bacon out of the pan with a pair of tongs and put an equal amount of pieces on each of the two plates and then poured two glasses of orange juice.
    Siva set a plate down in front of me, handed me a glass, and then sat down beside me.
    He dug into his eggs. “Ready for work?” he asked.
    “Yeah,” I sighed, “but I don’t have my laptop.”
    “Oh?” he said quirking an inky brow. “Some of your stuff arrived this morning, the rest of your clothes and stuff like that, so your laptop should be with that. I had your furniture put into storage,” he said and sipped at his orange juice.
    “Thanks,” I said. “This is really good by the way,” I said indicating the breakfast.
    “Thanks,” he said and blushed. “My mom taught me to cook.”
    “Your mom?” I asked.
    “Yeah,” he sighed but didn’t continue. I was curious about Siva and Dev’s mom. She was a mystery I wanted to solve.
    We finished our meal in companionable silence and I cleaned our plates while Siva dried.
    Dev and I used to that. I’d wash and he’d dry.
    “I have to go,” I said suddenly turning to leave. This was too hard. No, it was too easy, that was the problem. I shouldn’t feel this way about anyone so soon after Dev’s death. But his brother? I felt sick.
    Siva turned and gave me a peculiar look. “Why? I know I didn’t say anything stupid this time.”
    I gave him a tight lipped smile. “I just- I’m going to be late for work,” I lied.
    Siva glanced at his watch and swore under his breath. “I didn’t realize the time. I have a meeting I have to get to. We better hurry,” he said.
    I noticed he wore a pair of black pants that hung delectably off of his narrow hips and an aqua colored button down shirt. I found myself licking my lips as I took in his