Page 77 of Undone

“Daddy!” a shout came from the other room. “Are you coming?”

“Yes, G.”

As she moved away, my heart pounded against my ribs. I wanted more. I craved it—but pushed that thought aside.

Just casual.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Noah - August

PHOTOGRAPH - ED SHEERAN

The smellof coffee filled the kitchen as I watched Gracie pull a chair over to the counter, her eyes wide with excitement.

Dorian grabbed a mixing bowl from one of the lower cabinets.

“Alright, G. You ready to show Noah how we do pancakes in the James household?” Dorian asked, ruffling her hair.

Gracie beamed, her cheeks still pink from the morning chill outside. “I’m ready, Daddy! Noah, do you know how to make pancakes?”

I chuckled, tying an apron around my waist. “I think I can manage, but you might need to teach me your secret tricks.”

She hopped off her chair, grabbing a whisk with the seriousness of a chef. “Okay! First, we need our ingredients. Daddy, you are the only tall one here. Can you reach everything?”

Dorian reached into the pantry, pulling out a few containers and setting them on the counter.

“Flour, eggs, milk, and a little magic,” he said, glancing at me with a wink.

Walker whined from where he was instructed to stay outside of the barrier of the kitchen. I grabbed a treat from my bag, and he retreated to his bed with a small sigh.

Gracie was already busy cracking eggs into the bowl, a bit of shell falling in. I stepped closer, leaning over her shoulder.

“Oops, looks like we have a little extra crunch in there. Let’s scoop it out.”

Gracie giggled as I fished out the shell, her small hand brushing against mine. “I’m not the best egg-cracker yet, but I’m getting better.”

“You’re doing great,” I reassured her. “Besides, pancakes with a bit of a crunch might be a new invention.”

Dorian chuckled from across the counter. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of innovation.”

As Gracie continued to mix, flour puffed into the air, coating the counter and splattering a bit onto her face. She gasped and giggled, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand, leaving a trail of white powder.

“Oops!” she exclaimed, her giggles contagious. I couldn’t resist leaning over and tapping her on the nose with a bit of flour.

“Now you really look like a chef,” I said.

Gracie let out a loud laugh, but before I could react, Gracie grabbed a handful of batter and tossed it at me.

“Now you do too!” A playful gasp escaped me as the flour hit my apron.

“Oh, it’s on now!”

Before I knew it, Dorian joined in, flicking a bit of powder in my direction.

It was almost surreal, like a scene unfolding on a movie screen. So simple, yet so real. I let my fears and doubts fade into the background, allowing myself to savor the time with two people I had come to care for more than I ever expected.

I watched Gracie, who was laughing so hard she held her side, flour in her hair, on her clothes, everywhere.

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