Risk & Reward

Thirteen

"Hello?" Shi answers her phone, barely cognitive as she falls back against the insanely comfortable bed.

"Shi, are you okay? I'm so sorry. I should have left my phone on, knowing you'd be driving home late."

"I'm fine, Paul. Thankfully someone else was there to pick up my anxious pieces and get me to a safe bed for the night." She chuckles, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"I'm glad, and I'm sorry. Will you be back home today?"

"Ya, plan on me for dinner. Or tell Jess to plan on me. I'll tell you all about the meeting, date, and last night at dinner. It will be easier to do so then. I'm safe, I'm calm, and I'll be driving home in daylight hours."

"Good. I love you, fancy pants."

"Love you too, Paul. Good luck with whatever case you're fighting today."

"Thanks. Bye." She drops the phone as he hangs up, glancing around to take in the room. The last thing she remembers was cuddling on the couch with Calum and watching a movie, but she's definitely in the guest room he'd offered her last night now. Hearing movement from the direction of the kitchen, she crawls out of bed, shoving her phone in the pocket of Calum's hoodie that she's still wearing. Tying her hair up in a very messy bun as she pads across the floor, exiting the room for the hallway beyond.

"Good morning, Shilo." Calum is standing shirtless with his back to her at the stove, the smell of pancakes filling the house.

"How—"

"I heard the bedroom door open." He interrupts her, turning to offer her a bright smile. "I hope you slept alright?"

"I did, but I don't remember going to bed." She laughs, trying not to check him out too obviously. Honestly it's his own fault, he knew she was here and chose not to wear a shirt.

"You fell asleep on me mid-movie last night, I didn't want to wake you in case it made you panic again. So, I carried you to bed, and not wanting to be presumptuous I put you in the guest room. It was only our first date after all."

"I— thanks. You could have woke me up though, I'm sure it wasn't too easy carrying my deadweight to bed." She blushes, taking a seat on one of the stools at the counter.

"You were fine. And now, I'm making you pancakes. You do like pancakes right?"

"Almost as much as I love waffles." She nods.

"Waffles are too high maintenance. Who's got time to get out a whole appliance whose only job is punching holes in a perfectly good pancake." Calum laughs.

"Those holes make it crispier, and they hold all the syrup and buttery goodness better." She argues right back with her own laugh.

"Alright," Calum turns off the stove, setting a plate of pancakes in front of her at the counter. "When I stay at your place for the first time, you can make me waffles and we'll decide if my pancakes or your waffles are better." He smirks, leaning in closer to her as his voice drops.

"I'm always down for a challenge." She grins, leaning forward on her arms slightly until they're basically nose to nose.

"I'm warning you, Shi. I don't like to lose."

"Good thing you've got time to adjust to the idea then."

"I'm more confident in my pancake making skills than that." He chuckles, pushing the last inch or so forward and stealing a quick kiss from her. "But nice try." He adds as he pulls back fully, smiling at the surprise on her face. "Now, what would you like on your pancakes?"

"My favorite topping is blackberry syrup. But I'll take maple or whatever you have too." She shrugs, mentally shaking herself. She hadn't expected him to kiss her just then.