He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. The soft expression on his face, the care he was taking with her shook me. I didn’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this. I didn’t expect my heart to fly out of my chest then crash back inside with a thunderous boom. I inhaled a huge breath and tried to steel myself.

“She’s such a little angel. Aren’t you? Sweet little Calla …” he murmured to her before lifting his eyes to mine. I could tell he’d lost his heart to her just as my heart was losing the battle to keep him out of it. “She’s precious, Lily.”

“Thank you.” My whispered voice barely made a sound as the words left my lips. The desire to take Calla and run battled with the opposing desire to throw myself into his arms along with her. Instead, I grabbed a scone and took a bite. I was thankful that my days were spent surrounded by delicious little stress relievers. But feared that soon, it wouldn’t be enough.

His sweet eyes caressed my face. “You’re welcome, Lily. Thank you for letting me hold her.” He laughed as she leaned back and gave him a drooly baby kiss on the nose.

“You’re in for it now,” I teased. “Calla kisses come with a little something extra.”

“Yeah, spit,” Dylan said as he ran up and jumped on my lap.

“I don’t mind.” He ruffled Dylan’s hair.

“Ready to go, Luke?” Liam called from the door.

Luke handed Calla over and stood up. “I’ll call you tonight, Dylan. Lily, until tonight.” His eyes burned into mine before he turned to head to the door.

“You answer that phone tonight, Lily.” I jumped as my mother leaned over my shoulder to boss me around.

“I always answer it, Grandma. Don’t worry.” Dylan held his hand out for a high-five. My mother smacked it with a grin.

Why did it feel like everyone was conspiring against me?

7

Lily

It was nine thirty in the morning a week after our breakfast and I hadn’t seen Luke at all. If he had been drinking coffee, it wasn’t from Violet’s. He had called every night to say good night and chat with Dylan, and I had been talking and texting with him every day as well. But I missed seeing him. I had the feeling he was giving me space. I had told him I wanted to go slow, but it still bothered me. As the hours passed by with no Luke for yet another day, the looks Violet gave me while we worked grew more and more filled with concern.

“It’s going to be fine, Lily,” Violet finally said when there was a break between customers. “He’s probably just busy at work.”

“What’s going on?” Rose asked, popping her head out of the kitchen.