As I stared down at the sizzling eggs, the sun streamed through the kitchen window and reflected off the snow. On this beautiful, quiet winter morning, it dawned on me: This was the first time I was making breakfast for Simon.

I’d thought about it before, though had imagined different circumstances. A situation where he’d come up behind me, kissing my neck…

I shook away the want as I scooped scrambled eggs into a small, pink plastic bowl, placing it on the counter for Maya. I took a moment to clear the steam from my glasses with my shirt, smiling. Though it was true I perhaps hoped for something different, I thought of Maya’s gleeful face as she’d see a properly made breakfast.

‘She can’t survive on microwavable food forever,’ I thought, breaking up the resting strips of bacon into smaller pieces for her tiny mouth.

Just as I was taking Maya’s favorite cup from the cupboard, I heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall and the sound of Bear bounding. I saw the dog first, the hardwood floor always making his paws slip when he tried to come to a sudden stop, waiting for his master with a panting, canine grin.

As my eyes followed Bear’s gaze, I felt my heart skip a beat.

I had not expected to see Simon walk into the living room with nothing but a towel on, his hair a mess of ruffled wet strands…

I felt stunned. My eyebrows raised above the rims of my glasses, which slipped down my nose.

He didn’t seem to notice me as he yawned, stretching his hands over his head, his muscles tightening. He gave a satisfied sigh before he leaned over slightly, the towel slipping a little lower as he held a hand out to his dog. “C’mere you fluffy idiot.”

Bear playfully growled and ignored his master’s command. Too excited to listen, Bear rushed for the sliding glass doors which led to the back yard. The dog jumped, paws smacking against the glass; his impatient bark made Simon hurry to his side, hissing at him, “Quiet! If you wake Maya up…” He left the threat hanging as he opened the door for his dog.

The door closed quickly as Simon cursed under his breath, rubbing at his bare arms. With a thick layer of snow on the ground, it was probably bitter cold for somebody who—I had to blink to make sure I wasn’t imagining it—wasn’t wearing any clothes.

I blushed.

Muttering about the weather, Simon finally turned- and froze, eyes wide when he finally noticed me standing there, just as frozen as Simon likely felt. “Jared?” Simon blinked a few times as if he thought he might be imagining things. “You’re… still here?”

I raised my eyes up from his bare torso, gulping as I met his eyes. “I’m still…” Slightly dazed I pried my eyes away, my cheeks hot as I cleared my throat. “We’re going to the park, aren’t we?” I leaned on the counter, trying desperately to keep eye contact. “Snow day for Maya, remember?”

Simon’s expression was blank for a moment before his face fell. “Oh god, I’m an idiot. I’m used to you leaving, and…” His hand was clenched tightly where the towel was tucked to keep it in place, “I didn’t forget about you, I just… forgot what day it was. I’m so sorry!”

He opened his mouth, no doubt to apologize more, but was interrupted by the sound of Bear scratching at the back door again. The sound made him jump, almost losing his grip on the towel.

His face turned red—just as mine grew hot with equal embarrassment—as he pulled it back up from where it had slipped. “I- uh, I’ll go get dressed. And get Maya dressed. I, uh, I’ll be… right back… okay?”

I gaped at him, stuttering, “Uh...yeah! Yeah sure… I made breakfast for after you’re…” I gulped, blinking away, “ready.”

Simon laughed, awkward and nervous. “Thanks.” He was so hurried that he forgot to let the dog back inside despite the whining. It was only a couple moments until I heard him reach the end of the hall, his bedroom door slamming closed.

I stood still for a moment; my eyes glued to where Simon had disappeared. I could hear Bear’s muffled whines from outside, quickly going to the door and letting him in.

A blast of freezing air hit me as Bear ran past, shaking snow all over the living room.

While normally I would have smiled at his happy panting face, the image of Simon wouldn’t leave my mind. I felt my awkwardness consume me as I returned to the cover of the kitchen counter, trying to do anything but think of Simon's....state of undress.

After a few uncomfortable moments wishing I could take a cold shower of my own, I heard Maya scream with delight, rushing into the living room. It returned the smile on my face, standing up straight as she zoomed over to the counter. “Mista Nowlan!”

“Hi, Maya!” I said, beaming at her messy locks of tangled, auburn hair.

“What’s for breakfast?” she asked excitedly, sniffing the air almost as enthusiastically as Bear, who was drooling over the bacon beside her.

I was about to answer when Simon returned to the living room, making my heartbeat just as wildly as he had the first time.

He was fully clothed this time; seeing him dressed casually, his jeans soft and faded and his light sweater just as worn, was strange because I couldn’t recall the last time I’d seen him in anything other than the suit and tie he wore to work. Simon looked up at me for a second before his gaze fell and he focused on his daughter. “You were supposed to brush your hair.”

“Hungry,” Maya responded as she clambered up to perch on one of the stools.

Simon sighed. “Of course, you were, you little monster,” he said, reaching out to ruffle her nest of hair and make her giggle. He frowned at the mess before extricating his fingers.

Walking around to my side of the counter, Simon brushed past me with a muttered apology to get to a drawer on the far side of the room, next to the pantry. He rustled around before coming up with a bright pink plastic brush and returned to his daughter with a triumphant smile.

Maya complained while he brushed out the tangles, taming her fine hair so that it laid neatly. It seemed to comfort him enough that he could finally look at me again. “Thanks for all the hard work,” he said. “Say 'thank you', Maya.”

“Thank you, Mista Nowlan! Food now?” she pressed, her smile bright despite her father’s disapproving grumble.

I smiled, watching Maya as she happily ate her eggs and bacon.

My gaze slid, magnetized, to Simon. It was only for a brief moment before I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the day ahead.