Page 51 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

“Juliette used to say her heart was walking around outside of her body.” Dayna sniffles. “That’s exactly how I feel. But… I can’t say it. It wouldn’t be fair. I’m not her mom.” I press my palm over her heart.

“Dayna, she may not have grown in your belly. But she grows in your heart, that’s just as real.”

A breeze picks up, soft and familiar.

I close my eyes.

For a second, I swear I can feel Juliette.

I open my eyes.

Dayna nods.

“I felt it too.” She pulls me in, her lips brushing mine.

“Damn, I love you so fucking much, Dayna Mae.” Her eyes glisten.

“I love you more, Luke Theodore.”

It’s early Friday morning, the house is a whirlwind of activity. Dayna is in my bathroom, showering. I’m in Sadie’s, fumbling my way through what should be a simple task. A braid. Not just any braid.

An Elsa braid.

From the way Sadie’s hazel eyes crinkle with laughter, I’m failing miserably.

The moment she folds over, clutching her stomach, a deep belly laugh tumbling out of her, I know I’m in trouble.

I pause mid-braid, brow furrowed in confusion.

“What’s so funny, Sadie Girl?” Through gasps of laughter, she finally chokes out.

“My hair looks… like Ana’s on Coronation Day!” I step back, tilting my head. I take a long look in the mirror. Damn it.

She’s right. Her hair is wild, tangled, defying gravity in places it shouldn’t. I drag a hand down my face, sighing. I’ve done regular braids for Sadie before, but this? This is next-level Disney magic, and I’m out of my depth. I grab my phone, scrolling for a tutorial.

But after one video, I already know— I need reinforcements.

“Dayna!” I shout louder than I should. I immediately regret it. The next thing I hear is a loud thud, followed by a string of curses from down the hall.

Shit.

I quickly walk toward our room, cracking the bathroom door open carefully. Inside, Dayna has shampoo dripping down her forehead, a towel clutched tightly around her chest. Her eyes are wide, scanning me for some kind of emergency.

“What happened? Is Sadie okay?” I close the space between us, sliding my hands around her towel wrapped waist.

“She’s fine. But we need your help with an Elsa braid— I believe it’s called a French braid.” Her body relaxes, shoulders dropping as she exhales. Then her eyes narrow.

“Luke Beckett, did you just scare the life out of me… for a braid?”

I grin sheepishly. “I didn’t think it through before I yelled for you.” Her lips twitch, fighting back a smile .

“You’re lucky I love you.” She adjusts her towel higher, but my eyes betray me, trailing over the droplets of water clinging to her breasts.

Jesus.

She’s gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking, standing there with nothing but a towel and a mess of bubbles in her hair. She catches my stare, rolling her eyes playfully.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re beautiful.” Her cheeks flush, and she swats my chest lightly.

“I have shampoo in my hair, and it’s freezing now.

Let me finish my shower, and I’ll be out in ten minutes to help Sadie.

” She leans in, pressing a quick kiss to my lips, and before I can pull her closer, she drops her towel and is already stepping back under the spray.

I let out a low groan, adjusting myself as I leave.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

True to her word, Dayna walks into the bathroom ten minutes later, dressed in jeans that hug her perfectly and a school spirit long-sleeve.

Her hair is in a towel, and she looks effortlessly beautiful.

As she gets to work sectioning Sadie’s hair, I lean against the doorway, arms crossed, watching them.

Dayna’s fingers move effortlessly, weaving the pieces precisely, carefully.

I had tried to hold the strands the way she is now, feeding each into the third section.

But my hands just couldn’t figure it out.

Sadie chatters away, going on about wrapping gifts before she leaves for her grandparents’ house.

That’s when I notice Dayna is struggling.

Not with the braid. With holding back emotion.

She swallows hard, more than once, like she’s trying to push back a lump in her throat. She doesn’t want Sadie to see it.

Finishing off the braid, she ties off the braid with a glittery elastic, and Sadie beams.

“Thank you, Dayna!” Then, before I can blink, she throws her arms around Dayna’s waist. Dayna crouches down, getting on Sadie’s level, brushing a stray flyaway from her forehead. Sadie’s voice drops to a whisper.

“I love you. ”

My throat tightens. Dayna’s eyes flutter closed for a second, like she’s absorbing the words into her soul. When she opens them again, her voice is soft.

“I love you too, Sweet Girl.”

We drove separate to work today. Sadie is humming along to the radio, as she’s playing with the ends of her braid. All I can think about is tonight. Tonight is the last pizza night at Alfredo’s before our staff Christmas party at Lime A Dozen .

Tonight is also the night Dayna is going back home for the first time all week.

I try to tell myself it’s not a big deal.

That we’re used to having our own space.

We’ll see each other first thing in the morning, anyway.

But the truth is, I hate that she’s leaving.

I’ve gotten too used to falling asleep beside her, too used to the way her body fits against mine.

I don’t want to spend another night without her in my bed.

I realize, I need to talk to Sadie. Sooner than I planned. I can’t take another night away from Dayna. I don’t want another night away from her. Not anymore.