Breakfast With Strangers
Chapter 12 - Breakfast With Strangers
The next morning, Adrian met the twins at a quiet café near Claire’s hotel.
Noah brought the dinosaur.
Eli brought questions.
“Do you have a dog?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I work too much.”
“Do you know dinosaurs?”
“Not enough.”
“Can you make pancakes?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Probably not good ones.”
Eli considered him.
“Mom can.”
Claire sat beside the window, watching every answer.
Noah slid the dinosaur across the table.
“Rex kept the secret safe.”
Adrian touched the toy carefully.
“He did.”
“Mom says people should too.”
Adrian looked at Claire.
“She is right.”
The boys asked why his eyes looked like theirs. Claire explained families in simple words. Adrian answered only what she allowed.
When breakfast ended, Eli hugged him without warning.
Adrian froze, then placed one gentle hand on the boy’s back.
Noah did not hug him.
He took Claire’s hand and said, “Maybe next time.”
May you like
Adrian smiled through sudden tears.
“Maybe next time.”
