Page 53 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

Mrs. Emily shimmies Kelli into my arms, and instinct takes over.

One hand secures the back of her head, the other supports her tiny back.

That surprises me because the only baby I’ve held before is my niece and my sister had to show me how to do it.

Looking down at Kelli, she’s so small, her warmth settling into my chest immediately.

I sway gently, adjusting her position. “Hi there, baby girl. I’m Dayna.

I am so happy to meet you. You are beautiful just like your mommy. ”

Kelli blinks up at me, then lets out a soft coo. My heart melts.

“That’s right,” I whisper, brushing a curl away from her forehead.

“We miss your mommy here, but now we get to have baby snuggles with you.” Kelli rubs her eyes with tiny fists, and Lauren hands me her pacifier.

I slip it gently into her mouth, and she immediately grabs my finger with her impossibly tiny hand.

The moment is so full, so overwhelming, I don’t realize someone is behind me until the scent of citrus and pine washes over me.

Luke. I feel his warmth before I even turn. His free arm wraps around my waist, and he presses a kiss to the side of my temple. Lauren’s mouth drops open. She stares at him like he just walked off a movie set. She mouths, “Who is this gorgeous man?” as she blatantly checks him out.

Luke chuckles.

“Lauren, this is Luke Beckett, our newest third-grade teacher and my boyfriend.”

Lauren visibly swoons as she shakes his hand.

“Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard great things about you.

Also, congrats on this little bundle of joy.

She’s a cutie,” Luke says, pulling off his glasses to get a closer look at Kelli.

God my ovaries are going crazy . Something about the way he does it reminds me of Thanksgiving, when Tessa kept trying to swipe them off his face.

I don’t know how he does it, but every woman in this office is currently swooning over him.

I bite my lip, so grateful that he’s mine.

“Nice meeting you as well.” She says in a breathy tone. My face feels as red as hers. I hear Mrs. Emily whispering loudly to Lauren. “Don’t worry, your husband will understand. I sure as heck know mine would have.” And they both laugh together.

He leans into me once more and tells me he’s going to set our lunch up in my office. Lauren and Mrs. Emily watch him closely as he walks away. He closes the door quietly behind him and my attention is back to the two women closest to me.

Lauren fans herself dramatically. “Dayna. Did you know he’s that Giants’ manager’s twin?

” Mrs. Emily leans in conspiratorially. “That’s exactly what I told her when I first met him!

” Luke, now behind the glass door of my office, gives me a knowing smirk before disappearing inside to set up our lunch.

Kelli starts playing with my hair, her tiny fingers getting tangled in the strands.

My stomach growls loudly, and she pauses, peering down at my belly as if she understands what just happened.

Lauren bursts out laughing. “Oh, she totally heard that.” Reluctantly, I bounce on my heels and hand Kelli back to her mother.

“It was so great seeing you,” I say, adjusting the pacifier in Kelli’s mouth. “I know you have things to do and people to talk to, so I’ll hand over your little angel.”

Lauren smiles knowingly. “Dayna, you look really happy. Lighter. Like the weight you carried for so long is finally gone.That man. He’s just a bonus.”

She winks, and my cheeks heat. “You got all that in the first five minutes of meeting Luke?” Lauren smirks. “What can I say? I was really good at my job.” She heads toward the door, and I can’t help but watch as Luke sets up our lunch, waiting for me.

Yeah. I am really, really happy.

Sitting in my office with Luke, eating lunch, I can’t help but feel at ease in a way I never did before. He’s in the chair in front of my desk, not behind it—like Dean most certainly would have been.

But Luke?

He respects my space. He never disregards my boundaries or treats them as optional. That difference alone makes my chest ache with gratitude. I pick at my sandwich, trying to piece together my thoughts, before continuing my earlier conversation I had with Sadie to Luke.

“She shut down so fast, Luke. It really caught me off guard.” He chews thoughtfully, watching me.

“You handled it well, especially with no time to prepare.” I sigh, remembering the way she wouldn’t even look at me at first. “It broke my heart, though. The way she just… closed off. She didn’t even want to look at me. ”

“Maybe we can talk to her together later,” Luke suggests, his voice steady and comforting. “She’s worried you’d quit your job to stay home with our future baby. Is that something you’d want? Or do you want to keep working?”

I pause, taking in the weight of his question.

“I—I don’t know, Luke.” The words come out unsteady. “I love my job, and I know that doesn’t mean I’d love our baby any less, but… I think I’d want to keep working. We could put her in daycare here. Plenty of the teachers do it.”

The second I say her, Luke stills. His lips part slightly, and his blue eyes soften with something unreadable.

“Her?” he asks, voice quieter now- like he’s savoring the word. My ears burn instantly.

“I— I mean…” My voice wobbles, and I fumble over my words. “I’ve just always pictured a girl.”

I swallow, feeling a lump form in my throat.

“When I thought we were going to have a baby all those years ago, that’s what I imagined. A little girl. It’s kind of hard not to picture that whenever we talk about babies now. I’m sorry.”

Luke’s entire face brightens, and before I can spiral any further, he reaches across the desk and takes my hand in his.

“Dayna.” His voice is so tender it makes my heart twist. “Don’t apologize. I love that you see a little girl when you think about our baby. Wanna know something?” I glance up at him, and he looks like he’s about to burst with happiness. I can’t help but smile too. “What?”

“Watching you hold Lauren’s baby earlier? It had my heart twisting in hope for us.”

I blink, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice.

“The way you held her, the way you talked to her… I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like, the four of us. You, me, Sadie, and our baby.”

Damn him. The way this man makes my ovaries flutter should be illegal.

I squeeze his hand, my stomach flipping.

“Can you stop making me want to have your baby right here in my office?” Luke grins, dropping my hand only to pick up his sandwich.

“I can’t help it. I want to put a baby in you so bad, it’s driving me crazy. ”

Oh, be still my ovaries. I take a bite of my sandwich, mostly to keep myself from combusting. The soft bread melts in my mouth, and I accidentally let out a small moan at how good it tastes.

Luke freezes. His jaw tightens, his fingers clench around his sandwich, and his eyes darken instantly. “Baby,” he groans, rubbing a hand down his face. “You cannot be doing that right now.” I burst into laughter, watching him struggle not to combust.

“Oh, I absolutely can.” Luke lets out a long exhale, muttering something under his breath as he shakes his head. “I need to get back soon,” he says, visibly trying to compose himself. “Sadie and I will see you tonight.” He cleans up his lunch quickly, then leans over my desk, kissing me softly.

“I love you, Dayna.”

“I love you too, Luke.” As he heads for the door, he pauses, turning back with a lopsided grin.

“Before I forget! A couple of my students asked if you’d braid their hair too.

I told them I’d ask you.” Before I can respond, he disappears out the door, calling out a goodbye to Mrs. Emily and waving at Kelli on his way out.

Mrs. Emily turns toward me, her hand dramatically fanning her face.

“Oh, sugar,” she sighs. “That man is a walking fever dream. You’re a lucky, lucky girl.

” I cover my face with my hands, laughing into my palms.

“Oh, what a day it’s been so far.”

Sitting in Cara’s driveway, I call her to let her know I’m outside.

We’re spending the night at my place to get the Christmas program decorations done.

I know we could have done this at Luke’s, but I think spending this time with Cara— just the two of us, catching up, is something I need.

So much has happened, and I miss my best friend.

The four of us meet outside and slip into our usual spots.

I spot Caleb’s wife, Megan, waving as she makes her way toward our table.

They’re the last ones to arrive. Dean, of course, took his usual seat next to Luke.

The tension between them has lessened over the last few weeks, mainly because they hardly speak to each other.

Once Megan is settled, she turns to me, speaking loud enough for the entire table to hear.

“Kelsey came home with the cutest braid! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried doing the ‘Elsa Braid’ myself, and I just can’t get it right.

You have to teach me!” Heat creeps up my face as I feel everyone’s eyes on me.

Under the table, Luke rubs his boot against my leg, grounding me, even though he doesn’t look my way. I hesitate, but eventually, I respond, “I’d love to! Sadie actually invited the girls over so I could show them how to braid their Barbie’s hair. Why don’t you come over too?”

“Oh! Caleb can hang out with Luke while we have the girls. That sounds like fun!” Megan beams.

From across the table, Dean is watching me.

His smug expression sharpens the air between us.

I roll my eyes and look away. Suddenly, doubt creeps in.

Did I just overstep? It’s Luke’s house, not mine.

Sure, I practically live there, but that doesn’t mean I should be making invitations.

Did I screw this up? Luke hasn’t even looked at me.

Did he hear? Did he care? My stomach twists.

I get up, needing a breather. I check on Sadie, making sure she has enough quarters for the arcade before heading toward the soda machine.

I glance back toward Luke. He’s already looking at me.

His ocean blue eyes soften, and he gives me a slow side smile, one of those lazy, Luke Beckett smiles that makes my stomach flip.

I exhale, finally feeling like I can breathe again.

I smile back, tucking my hair behind my ear, and he tips his glass back before standing up.

I refill my soda and wait for him. Sadie and Kelsey race past us, heading to the restroom to wash their hands.

“Slow down, Sadie Girl!” Luke calls after her, before turning back to me. His voice is low, just for me.

“You okay?”

I hesitate. “Are you okay with me inviting the Grants over? You seemed upset. ”

Luke’s brows pinch, like the thought never crossed his mind. “Baby, I wasn’t upset at all.”

Relief floods through me.

“I was just giving you space to talk to Megan. I didn’t want to intrude.” He shakes his head. “I think it’s great you invited them. I’m excited to host them with you.”

The tightness in my stomach loosens. “Okay,” I exhale, taking a sip of my drink. As we walk back to the table, he links his pinky with mine, giving it a light squeeze before reluctantly letting go. God, I love him.

The restaurant clears out, and only a few of us remain.

Sadie is asleep in Luke’s arms, curled into him like she belongs nowhere else.

Caleb and Luke are talking about the Patriots— something about their offense this season.

I tune them out, watching Luke instead. The way he sits there, holding Sadie effortlessly, arguing about football, being a dad and a man I love all at once just does wonders to my soul.

It’s dangerously domestic. If I don’t get up now, I won’t want to leave.

I say goodnight, grab Luke’s keys, and head outside to warm up the truck.

Cara is already in my car, fumbling with the stereo buttons.

It’s freezing. My breath comes out in soft white clouds as I turn on the window wipers, clearing the glass. I pull out my phone and text Luke.

Truck’s warm. Come out when you’re ready.

A few minutes later, he steps outside with the Grants.

Dean trails behind them, quiet. For a second, I brace myself, but he doesn’t say anything.

Doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t even wave goodbye.

He just walks to his car. Luke doesn’t acknowledge him either.

I don’t know why, but it still unsettles me.

I climb out of the warm cab and meet Luke on Sadie’s side of the truck. He buckles her in, and she stirs, barely awake. Her sleepy voice is soft and small.

“I’m gonna miss you tucking me in tonight.”

“I know, Sweet Girl. I’ll miss it too.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, okay? First thing.

” She smiles sleepily. “Okay. Love you, Dayna.” My chest tightens.

“I love you too, Sadie.” I close her door gently so the warmth doesn’t escape.

Luke pulls me in, wrapping his arms around my back, pressing me against him.

His body heat seeps through my jacket, and I lean into it.

“I hate that you’re not sleeping next to me tonight.” His voice is low and rough, sending a shiver down my spine.

“I hate it too,” I admit, cupping his jaw, feeling the thick scruff of his beard beneath my palms. “We only have one more weekend before and it’ll be over until next October when she starts planning again.”

“She really goes all out for this, huh?”

“You have no idea.”

“Please text me when you two get home.” He leans in, brushing his lips against my ear.

“I’m gonna shower alone tonight, but I’ll be thinking of you in these skin-tight jeans.

” His hands slide lower, palming my ass as he tugs me closer, stealing a deeper kiss.

A giggle escapes me. “Oh, I absolutely will be texting you now.” We pull away, just as Cara leans against my car with crossed arms. “You done making out with my best friend, Beckett?” Luke smirks, loosening his hold on me. "Not even close."

“Let me know when you and Sadie are home safe.”

“I will, now go get in your car before you freeze out here.” Luke winks at me, his voice raised louder opening his driver side door he says, “Have fun tonight— good night Cara!”

Cara sends a wave towards Luke, “Night Becketts!” I laugh, slipping into the driver’s seat. With a final wave goodbye, I watch him climb into the truck, my heart aching in the best way. God, I miss them already.