The #5Star Affair (Love Hashtagged Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

herself that was a bad thing. Thinking about him sent giddy flutters through her chest. She smiled at her reflection, squeezed excess water from the ends of her hair, and tied it back into a ponytail.
    Something clattered from the kitchen, and she followed the noise. She widened her eyes. Ethan stood at the counter, mixing bowl, eggs, and flour in front of him. “You want breakfast?”
    She didn’t know if she was more surprised he cooked, or that he was up at eight on a Saturday. “Sure.” She watched him for a few more seconds. “Are you making pancakes? From scratch?”
    “Yup.” He ladled a spoonful of batter into an electric griddle. He paused, and turned his attention toward her. “I didn’t start the coffee yet. Not used to having someone else waiting.”
    A response died in her throat. Had anyone ever cooked for her? She’d been the one responsible for meals with Nick, because she’d been the one home all day. Even now, the idea of sitting around while someone else did all the work made her tap her toes against the cool tile. “I’ll handle the coffee. Where do you keep it?”
    He nodded at the cupboard over the coffee maker, and flipped a pancake.
    She wrinkled her nose at the giant plastic tub. “I’ll be right back.” She rummaged through the boxes in her room, and moments later returned to the kitchen, glass jar with beans, and a grinder in hand. “You don’t mind, do you?”
    He glanced up at the rattle. “Nope. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a coffee snob.”
    She gave an exaggerated huff, but couldn’t help laughing. “I’m not a snob. I just have functioning taste buds.”
    “So do I. But I also have priorities, and ten bucks for half a pound of Blue Coast roast isn’t near the top of the list.”
    She might have thought he was offended if it weren’t for the ever-present smirk, and joking lilt to his tone. The conversation slid to a halt for a moment while she ground the beans. His comment tickled her thoughts, grabbing onto the edge of something and tugging it loose in her mind.
    She took a seat in one of the barstools next to the counter while the coffee brewed. “Can I ask you something personal?” Maybe she shouldn’t bring it up, but now the idea was in her head, she couldn’t think of another, less intrusive question.
    He shrugged, but kept his attention focused on the pan.
    Might as well spit it out. “I know programmers aren’t always treated as well as they should be, but Digital Media is a big player, and they pay above the industry standard…” She couldn’t finish the question. There were a million reasons Ethan could be living on a limited budget. Personal preference was one of them, and as curious as she was, she couldn’t justify insulting him by asking how much he made.
    He slid a plate in front of her, piled high with pancakes, amusement dancing on his face. “Then why do I live paycheck to paycheck?”
    She ducked her head. “I wasn’t going to… I mean… Syrup?”
    “You wouldn’t be the first to ask. At least you’re nicer about it than oh, say, my brother.” An edge lined his light-hearted tone.
    “I’m sorry if I hit a nerve. No judgment. I’m just curious.”
    He nudged the syrup in her direction, and stayed standing in the spot across from her with his own plate. “It’s no big deal. It’s also not a big secret or anything. I’ve got two goals—to pay off my student loans before I’m thirty, and to stash enough cash that I can go indie. I figure I’ll need a couple years’ salary squirreled away, and to be as debt-free as possible, and then I’m going to build my own games. Having you here puts me back on track. Thank you for that, by the way.”
    “You’re welcome. And wow.” Her awe was genuine. “With what I’ve seen from you, you’ll do amazing things. Why don’t you find investors?”
    “I don’t want to answer to anyone. And working for DM isn’t bad in the meantime. I’m learning what does and doesn’t work, and