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My head snaps to him. That’s… more perceptive than I’d give him credit for.

Sophia and Blanche sneaked off and are running all over the meadow again, chasing after falling leaves. Dick tugs on his leash, but Kieran's got a tight grip on it now.

"You don't need to answer. I know I'm right." He grins. This one does reach his eyes and holy fuck I think I’m in trouble. "I'm still offering it, anyway. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."

“I’m not sure how wise it would be to ask my brother’s ex for help.” I bite my lip. That slipped right through my brain to mouth filter.

His eyebrows shoot up. "Seriously?” He chuckles. “Do you know how long ago and how barely existing our relationship was?"

"I don't care." I cross my arms in front of my chest, the ease of our prior conversation gone. "You're a fool for breaking up with him, as much as I'm concerned."

"What if I told you I didn't?" His expression switches between offended and amused. "It was a mutual decision."

“Which is what couples say when it very much wasn't, but they don't want people to butt into it,” I point out with an eye-roll.

"Well, the offer stands."

Suddenly Sophia comes darting back and hides behind my legs. Probably a scary leaf.

"I think that's our cue to go." I lean down and clip her leash back in. "Are you done, Sophia? Did the others annoy you? Oh, you poor baby." I scoop her up, which is a lot more manageable for me than a golden retriever would be for anyone who’s not a giant, muscular guy whose tattoos suit him annoyingly well.

"Anyway, good meeting you, Kieran. I'll see you around."

I don't wait for his reply before I call the others over, clip in their leashes and walk off. He might not be who I expected, but I’ll be damned if I let that change my mind. He’s still my brother's ex. Still completely off limits.

Even though the glance under his usual cheerful surface is really damn intriguing.

Chapter 5

Kieran

“Caleb.” I hold up one of the most delicious pastries I've ever eaten and stare at him with hearts in my eyes. "Adopt me." I shake my head. "I'd say marry me, but I'm pretty sure Lauren would kick me in the nuts."

We’re both sitting at the counter, watching Caleb work and, in my case, sipping on my coffee. I’ve been here for a hot minute, and Lauren joined me approximately three seconds ago, right as I tried to make Caleb my new dad.

"I would never," she breaks into a giggle and nudges me with her elbow.

"Seriously though, these are..." I stare at the buttery goodness in my hand, full of awe. "Heaven in the form of a pastry."

"Let me try." Lauren snatches the roll out of my hands before I can hold it out of her reach, squealing when it almost falls apart. "Point deduction for structure." She teases Caleb with a wink and takes a bite.

As soon as the flavor of the pumpkin spice caramel with roasted walnuts and a hint of apple hits her tongue, she lets out a happy sigh.

"All the points for taste," she says with a full mouth, her eyes rolling back in her head. I motion for her to give me the rest back, and she glares as if I just told her Santa isn’t real.

"Don't steal Kieran's food," Caleb scolds her playfully. Out of nowhere, he produces another plate with an even bigger roll and sets it down in front of her.

Rude. I want girlfriend privileges too.

"Did I ever mention how great it is to be the best baker's girlfriend?" She sighs dreamily as he turns around to make her coffee.

"Then why did you steal mine?" I stare at the ruins of it on my plate and pick up a fork to continue eating it.

"Relax." Caleb nods toward his kitchen. "There's another tray in the back."

"Can I just buy the whole thing?" I shoot him a pleading look. "Now that I've tasted heaven, I might die of sadness if I don't have at least one per day. Please." Seriously, these things are good enough to get me out of rainy-day-slumps. I’ll need a hundred to make it through the winter.

Caleb rolls his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitches.