From down the hall, she heard a door close. Followed by a second door closing. Linnea poured herself a mug of coffee and waited.

“Good morning!” Anna called out in a cheery voice.

Anna certainly was more chipper in the morning lately, Linnea thought as she turned to see her roommate pad across the room in her slippers. She was wearing a thigh-length lavender silk kimono that showed off her long legs. Linnea looked down at her own kimono, its twin, only in pink. Looking again at the lavender kimono, she realized it was her kimono.

“Nice kimono.”

Anna poured coffee into her mug, then looked down at what she was wearing. “Oh yeah, sorry. My laundry wasn’t done, and I needed something to put on. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll wash it and put it back.”

Cooper walked in, wearing his boxer shorts. His hair was smashed to one side of his head. He made his way, barefoot, to the coffeemaker and poured himself a cup. He mumbled something that sounded vaguely like “Good morning,” but she couldn’t be sure.

Linnea leaned against the counter and eyed the couple, who acted like they barely knew each other, stepping aside, careful not to touch, with polite murmurs of excuse me and do you want a cup?

Linnea cupped her mug and tried not to giggle. “Did you sleep well?”

Cooper slid a glance toward Anna and hid his smile with his mug.

“Yeah. Great,” Anna replied before taking a sip.

“Good.” Linnea kept watching them. She couldn’t stop. It was like watching a sitcom. She didn’t know what was going to happen next. “I found a wonderful book. Kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.”

Anna said, “I heard you talking last night on the phone. Gordon?”

“Yes.”

Cooper leaned against the counter. “So, is he moving in?”

“Yes.”

Cooper lifted his mug as though in a toast. “Your call.”

She took a breath. “I’m glad you’re okay with it. Because we’re going to be cozy here with all four of us,” Linnea said, looking first at Anna, then at her brother. “Very cozy.”

Cooper rolled his eyes, then said, “I’ll take the first shower.” He ducked his head and made for the exit.

“Little Fox,” Linnea murmured to herself as she watched him sneak off.

The two women sipped coffee in an awkward silence. Finally, Anna spoke.

“I have to admit, I was surprised you agreed to let Gordon move in with you.”

“Okay. Let’s break that down,” Linnea said, straightening. “First, you were surprised about me letting Gordon move in? And not about Cooper?”

“Why wouldn’t you? He’s your brother.”

“And your boyfriend.”

Anna made a face. “Is he?” she crooned. “My boyfriend?” She shook her head.

“Whatever you call what’s going on between you.”

“What’s going on between you and Gordon?”

“I have no problem saying he is my boyfriend.”

“If you say so.”

Linnea sipped her coffee, scowling, wondering how much Cooper had told Anna of his feelings about Gordon.