Chapter 33

He was putting on the coffee maker when the springs of the fold-out couch squeaked, and soon enough, a very hungover Zinnia with her bright yellow hair sticking up to every possible direction shuffled into the kitchen.

“Morning,” Francis whispered, and she yawned.

“Mornin’, ‘s there coffee?”

He pointed at the pot and clicked it on, grinning at her. She gave him a clear I’m-not-impressed expression, and a wavering middle finger.

“Ibuprofen?” he asked, because he wanted one for himself.

“You’re a god among men, Francis Archer,” she murmured and hugged him abruptly, making him laugh.

“For Minnie too?”

“Yeah, she’ll need some most likely. Thanks.” Zinnia let go of him and sat at the small breakfast table, watching Squishy eat.

He went to take a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’ll go take a shower and bring you the Advil after. The medicine cabinet is in the bathroom.”

She waved a hand at him and gave him a grateful smile when he handed the bottle over. “Thanks.”