Better Off Friends

Chapter 4: Pictures

Thank you for your comments on the last chapter! I'm planning to post twice this week, so look for another chapter on Thursday!

Kate was cleaning up the kitchen the next morning after she had taken the kids to school when she heard Leo walking down the stairs.

"Good morning, darling," she greeted him as he came into the kitchen in plaid flannel pajama pants and a gray t-shirt, running his fingers through his hair.

"Good morning," he replied.

"Did you sleep okay?"

"Great. Didn't even hear your alarm."

"Oh, good," she said as she put a handful of silverware in the dishwasher compartment. "Did you want anything for breakfast? I made the kids toast and eggs this morning. I could do the same for you, if you want."

"If it's not too much trouble," he said. "Is there anything I can help with?"

She waved him off. "Just sit down. You're my guest."

He laughed and pulled out a chair at the table while she got out the bread and eggs from the refrigerator.

"Thank you for ... staying with me last night," she said, turning around to face him after putting the bread in the toaster. "I just didn't want to be where ... well, you know."

"Of course, Kate," he said. "It really wasn't a big deal."

She turned around again after giving him as close to a smile as she could and cracked two eggs over the pan she had on the stove.

"What's the plan for today?" he asked.

"Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid. Grocery shopping and errands, picking the kids up--although it might just be picking Bear up from preschool because Joe has rugby practice and Mia was possibly going to a friend's house to work on a project. And I have a conference scheduled with Bear's teacher right after they get out."

She plated his food and set it in front of him, joining him at the table.

"Thank you," he said, scooping up eggs with his fork and starting to eat.

She smiled. "Of course, darling."

"So when do these exciting errands begin?"

She rolled her eyes. "As soon as possible, really. I don't know if you want to come, but if you do, I'll wait until you're done."

He shrugged. "I don't see why not. Otherwise I'd just be sitting around here all day."

"Alright," she said. There was a moment where neither one of them spoke, and the only sound was his fork against the plate.

"I'm sorry I just dumped everything on you last night," she said, picking at a thread on the pale blue placemat in front of her. "I didn't even ask you how you were doing or what was going on in your life."

"You don't need to apologize. And, well, I'm doing okay, I guess."

"What's this film you're shooting about? Is it another one of your crime dramas?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Maybe."

"Do you live?"

"I can't disclose that information," he said in a mock-serious tone.

"Well, this is no fun," she joked, sitting back in her seat and folding her arms across her chest. "I guess I'll just have to ask you about something else then. What is this I hear about you having a new girlfriend?"

"Camilla?"

She nodded. "Did you call her last night?"

"Right after I landed."