He scooped up a tiny bite and brought it to her lips. Calla stuck her tongue out, and it dripped onto her bib. We all laughed at the cute face she made. She seemed to like the taste because she licked her lips and smacked them.

Dylan handed the spoon to Luke.

“Can I try?” he asked me as he took the spoon. I nodded. He scooted into Dylan’s chair and I scooted my chair back as Luke dipped into the bowl and brought it to her lips. She opened and took the bite with a smack. She managed to swallow about half of it. The rest dribbled down her chin, where Luke scooped it back up with the spoon. He looked up at me with a huge smile. “She likes it,” he said as he dipped the spoon again to give her another bite.

I nodded again because I couldn’t speak. I wanted to run to the counter like Liam had and avoid the emotion this moment flooded into me. Instead, I shoved it down and smiled at Luke. I looked up with a start when Nick stopped in front of me bearing a plate filled with tiny scones. “Uh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome. These are chocolate.” He placed it in front of me with a sage nod. He exchanged a look with my mother before he walked off.

“Come on, Dylan. Let’s go check out the pastry case. I want a muffin.” She took Dylan’s hand and led him to the counter.

I picked up a scone and took a huge bite. Baked goods and chocolate did a lot to soothe the confused and heartsick beast that lived within me. I couldn’t help but laugh as Calla sputtered and giggled as she dribbled the cereal down her chin and onto her bib. Luke chuckled and wiped her face with a napkin.

He was right next to me, so close—too close. Every time he fed her a bite his shoulder brushed against me. I could smell him, the clean, familiar scent of soap and Luke. Weird how certain smells could transport you, attract you, drive you insane. I exhaled sharply and sipped my coffee, trying to get a whiff of something else, freaking anything else.

“Ba. Da. Ma,” Calla babbled. She pounded her tiny fists on the tray of her chair before reaching her arms up to Luke.

“Can I?” He grinned at me.

“Sure.” I scooped her out of her seat and Luke took her.

“Ga. Da. Ba.” She smiled at him and smacked his face with her tiny hands before grabbing two handfuls of his beard and pulling.

“Be soft,” I whispered and loosened her grip. “Soft hands, Calla.” She patted his cheeks again, then cuddled her face into the side of his neck, giving him a baby hug.