Stern Men Always Finish Last

Chapter 14

Sean POV

I drove home knowing that this was going to be a long day. The drive is always peaceful and quiet and allows me to have a few minutes to think over everything.

Owen and I had so much to sort out with Sang both in our individual relationships with her and in terms of the plan. We couldn't talk to her about the plan just yet as we still had to have Kota on board before we moved forward with Sang. But this running from us is a group problem as much as it is an individual one, so it has to be addressed on a group level.

Over the last few months, Owen has spent a large chunk of time prepping Sang for the idea of a relationship with all of us. I would be a fool to admit that I wasn't nervous for her reaction. In my heart, I know she loves us all, but my brain has come up with a million ways that this will fail. Jealousy at times will be a problem, but I think we can work through that as a group. What concerns me the most is Sang's guilt from those displays of jealousy and her lack of self-confidence. She's got to believe that she is worth our affection. That she is as good as if not better than our merry – well, except for North – band of misfits. The trick will be convincing her of this.

Pulling into the driveway, I notice that the kitchen lights are on. Pookie and Owen must be awake already. If I'm really lucky Pookie has made breakfast and then wants to take a nap with me, hopefully in those scrub pajamas. Entering through the garage I can hear their soft voices and smell breakfast. Score! I stride into the kitchen and plant a quick kiss on her lips. "Pookie! You are playing nurse and chef today without me?" She giggles at me in that way only Sang can make adorable and sexy. It's a powerful combination that has me wanting to back her up into the nearest wall and kiss her senseless. What are you doing to me, Pumpkin?

"Good Morning, Dr. Sean! Go sit at the table with Owen, breakfast is almost ready." She giggles again and shoos me away from the stove top where she is frying up some delicious bacon.

Giving her one last quick kiss and a flirtatious wink, "Ok, gorgeous. But if you keep up that giggling, I'm going to have to administer a stronger cure." I sit down with Owen at the table and as much as I want to grill him about what happened last night – and trust me I really want to – I won't. Pookie didn't take to our kissing and telling well and at this critical juncture, I don't want to do anything that may encourage her to run again. I am going to have to talk to Owen soon, we need to strategize about ways to boost her confidence and self-esteem. As much as I hate to admit it, Owen is better at the helping the psychological end of the human condition. For someone who shies away from their own feelings as if he was trying to avoid the bubonic plaque, he has a knack for helping out my brothers, Sang, and I with ours. I really hate when he's better at something than me. Ugh!

Breaking me out of my own thoughts, I watch as my sweet as apple pie girl saunters over carrying plates piled high with pancakes, eggs, and bacon. "Pumpkin, did you forget that you are not feeding the human garbage disposals sometimes referred to as North and Silas?" Sang giggles and Owen actually chuckles. An Owen laugh! I win!

After setting the plates down in front of each of us, Sang takes another look at all of the food she's made and her hand flutters towards her lip. "I'm so used to cooking for a larger group now that I'm not sure I remember how to cook small batches."

"Sang, you spend quite a bit of time at Mr. Griffin's house with just the two of you, certainly you don't cook large meals all the time, do you?"

"Actually, I do. I always cook extra and break up the left overs into individual portions. The guys stop by for dinner a lot and I always send some with Dr. Sean....and...well, now I'll be adding sending some with you."