Violet and Piper were messy bakers. There was flour everywhere. I was busy in the kitchen sweeping and tidying up and getting lost in my brain. It was late morning. After the initial crazy coffee rush of the opening hours had died down, business slowed, and I could finally take a moment for myself. I couldn’t stop obsessing over Luke and Dylan, and Luke and me, and now Luke and Calla. There was so much to worry about. If we got back together, it wouldn’t only be me who would get hurt if he left again. I had to protect my kids. But keeping Dylan away from Luke would not be protecting him and keeping Luke away from Calla would be pointless because it would upset Dylan. And staying away from him myself would most likely break my heart all over again. I was already in deep, so, so deep. How had this happened so fast? I couldn’t get a handle on it.

“Mommy!” Dylan poked his head around the counter and waved to me. “We’re here! Come out! Eat breakfast! Hug me!”

I opened my arms, and he ran and jumped up. I gave him a big squeeze and counted off ten kisses, making him giggle.

“How’s my little bug? Having fun with Grandma?” I asked and set him back on his feet.

“I love Grandma’s house. Levi and Jude are coming over later to play Xbox. But they don’t have Minecraft. Can you believe that? What a waste of an Xbox. Can I be a firefighter like they are? I want to drive around in a big firetruck, how cool would that be?

He stopped talking for a second, so I quickly said, “Luke is going to come over and have breakfast with us. Is that okay?”

“Yes! What a great day this is. Can I have a chocolate muffin?”

“Sure thing. Let me text Luke. Let’s go sit down with Grandma.” I texted Luke, and Dylan ran out to find my mother.

I spotted her at the big table in the corner. Calla was curled up against her chest, asleep. I think my baby liked my mother better than me. I could never get her to sleep like that. Dylan sat next to her. “Where are Mark and Mara?” I asked.

“Asher had an early break today. He picked them up. Luke said he had somewhere to be and rescheduled their meeting for later.”

I laughed. “Luke is joining us this morning. He didn’t say he had plans.”

“Well, honey, you are his priority right now.” She smiled at Dylan. “You too, sweetheart. Luke wants you both to know what you mean to him.” She beamed back at me. “Lily, I am so happy about this. Trust it. Let it happen.”

Was it that simple? This didn’t feel simple. It felt pretty freaking complicated to me.

“I’m trying, Mom. One day at a time, right?”