Red Hot Omelets

William Terry Louis Andrew Carrick Jonathan Dredge Hams Reading Roger Southwark Alwick Plymouth Junior Regison III is a wealthy man visiting Waffle Island in the hopes of finding reliable business partners. Gill just can't be bothered.

It started out like any other morning. Even on the island, it's slow on Mondays, thought Gill as he sifted through the same documents for the third time. Angela, the new girl on the block, recently purchased some new land up in the hills. Other than that, business was dead. They hadn't had any new visitors to the island that season, notwithstanding Mr. "Regison the Third". Never in his life did Gill think he'd get pushed down by another man, much less that…player.

Elli glanced over his shoulder worriedly, "Gill? You've been reading the same page for the past hour. Maybe you should take a break?"

The sudden suggestion caught him off guard. Break? Who takes breaks off schedule? Gill waved a hand flippantly and rose from his seat. "There's no need. I'm going to check on Dale." They'd placed an order with the local carpenter the other day—it wouldn't seem strange for him to go check on the order. It's not like he was hoping to catch a glimpse of Will on his date by the lake or anything.

To his relief the lake was completely deserted. Only Toby's shabby hut stood in the background as Gill past it on his way up to Soufflé Farm. With a wave to Owen doing who-knows-what with that rusty hammer of his, Gill sped along to Dale's, nearly bumping into Angela on the way in.

The girl's face flushed as her eyes immediately turned to the ground. "Good morning..!"

Why are so many girls shy on this island? Gill managed a small smile, "Good morning, Angela. I hope you're doing well."

"Yes…um…" her eyes darted up to him nervously then back to the ground. "I thought…Will would be with you."

Gill's ears perked as his eyes sharpened into focus. "I thought he'd be with you." Or at least, that's what William told him.

Angela shook her head slowly, "We parted just a short while ago. He said he was going to…bring you something, or…I think?"

Now he was confused. Gill said his goodbyes, ducking into the store to see Dale and his son up to their usual shenanigans.

"I thought I told you not to add that!" Dale's gruff voice boomed loud enough to knock plants off a shelf.

Luke shouted, equally as loud, "Aw come on, pops! It's way cooler this way! Don't you see?"

"Excuse me," Gill muttered quietly. He was almost afraid he'd get pulled into the storm. The two didn't seem to notice and kept shouting over him. Gill sighed, "I'll just come by another time." Almost nothing could break those two up when they were so deep into an argument. Not like he couldn't raise his voice, he just didn't have the energy. Besides, preparations for the upcoming festival were almost complete. It's not like they didn't have time to complete their projects. Gill had other things on his mind.

Like where the hell is that trouble maker?

Gill frowned and scratched his head. He wasn't annoyed at having come all this way for nothing, but he was a little annoyed at being kept in the dark. The last thing he needed was half the female population impregnated.

Summer was truly one of the most beautiful and miserable of seasons. High afternoon meant sky high temperatures. Gill leaned back in his chair, gently fanning himself. He hated to act so casual in a professional setting but this was getting to be too much. Elli was dusting bookcases like the heat didn't bother her at all. Just looking at her dress full of frills was enough to make him sweat.

"Elli, please stop rushing about like that. Just looking at you is tiring," he mumbled, a bit annoyed at himself for getting annoyed.

Elli didn't seem bothered by the comment. "Why don't you see what Dale is up to? Things ought to have cooled down by now."

Cooled down. Gill groaned, throwing his head back to fan his neck. "In a minute."

"I've never seen you so relaxed!"

The smooth voice nearly knocked him out of his chair. Gill slammed both hands on the desk, eyes wide like a child caught doing something bad. He glared up at Will, "Hams…d—don't sneak up on me like that!" The sudden scare sent a cool chill up and down his body; strangely pleasant in the blazing heat. His expression changed from surprise to suspicion, "And where, exactly, have you been all day?"

Will answered, "Sampling the local hospitality! The inn, the general market, the tailors, Angela's…"

"Basically, any place you could find a maiden," said Gill in a questioning tone.

Will raised a brow at the comment, but continued on, "Did you know there is a ranch past Soufflé Farm?

"Why don't you go for a drink with father?" Gill stood up from his chair and stormed upstairs. Everything was so ludicrous! It's not like he had anything to be mad about—it was too hot to get angry! But his brain kept spinning in the wrong direction and he'd end up frustrated.

Will looked to Elli, who stared back in confusion; he smiled.

The smell of fried egg wafted from the kitchen and filled the living room. Hamilton sat on the couch with a pen and notepad while Will sat across from him on the couch. "So…met any townsfolk today, William?"

Will smiled, occasionally glancing at the kitchen. He couldn't really see from his angle. "I met quite a few lovely ladies. Waffle Island is like a garden."

Hamilton chuckled, his cheeks turning rosy red, "Careful now, you might end up engaged by the end of the month."

A loud bang chorused from the kitchen, drawing their attention. Gill stuck his head from around the corner with his signature surly look. "Dinner is served."

"Oh…well!" Hamilton looked to Will, who stood and moved to clear the dining room table.

Dinner was relatively quiet. Almost awkward. Hamilton tried to start some kind of conversation, but every time Gill shot it down with a one-liner. Will didn't even attempt to start anything, content with poking at his tomato omelet. He seemed troubled, his blond brows knitting together as he glanced from person to person.

Finally Gill snapped, "If you have something to say, just say it." He hated this beating around the bush nonsense.

Will jerked a bit, accidentally stabbing at his egg. "It's just that…I don't understand…" Gill's heart jumped into his throat. If Will asked him what was up with his attitude, he honestly wouldn't know how to answer. Will looked up confusedly, "Do you usually cook breakfast items for dinner?"

"…What?"

"It's just that…I've never eaten eggs in the evening." Will poked at his plate again, having barely touched it.

Gill's face flushed; should he be insulted or something? "This happens to be one of my favorite dishes, ok? If you don't like it, feel free to make your own meal."

"Oh no," Will stammered, trying to smile and failing horribly, "I will gladly accept it. You made it, so there is no reason not to like it."

Gill bit his lip; he suddenly lost his appetite. "I'm finished."

Even after a nice hot shower, Gill couldn't relax. The lights were still on, since the other two were awake. And really, he didn't need darkness to sleep. He just couldn't sleep. He was disgusted with himself for behaving the way he did, and he wasn't sure how to explain himself. But no one seemed particularly bothered, so why was it bothering him?

Footsteps sounded behind him, but with his back facing away from the wall, he couldn't see who it was. But it had to be Will—his footsteps were much lighter than father's. Gill's body stiffened as though to appear in deep slumber. He didn't want to converse with anyone just then, or maybe he was just avoiding things. Either way, his strategy failed.

"I'm sorry I haven't had much time to talk with you today." Will's voice was surprisingly gentle—and startlingly close.

Gill opened his eyes; he could feel his heartbeat start to race. What the hell was going on? "What are you talking about? You're here on vacation, not to visit me. I don't care what you do." Seriously, we've just met. Get over yourself! He wanted to say, but somehow it wouldn't feel right.

His heart raced with a mix of anger at the other's chuckling.

"What's so funny?" He sat up such a flurry he became lightheaded.

"You are," said Will simply, holding a hand over his mouth as laughter came bubbling up.

Gill gnashed his teeth searching for a retort, but none came. "Go to sleep, Hams. I don't have time for this!" How childish. He grimaced and flipped back over, dragging the sheets up over his head. Hopefully he could get some peace and quiet on his day off tomorrow; none of this confusion business.

"Good night," he could hear Will's footsteps fade into the background and the bedroom lights flickered off.

Gill growled as he stared wide-eyed at the wall. He still couldn't sleep.