The warmth of his touch stayed behind, faint but undeniable. “Actually,” I said, regrouping, “I was just going to take him for lunch now and then home for a quick nap. We’re going to Elle’s house for a barbecue dinner.”
“Mama, can Caleb come with us for lunch?” Lucas’s voice was bright and hopeful.
I turned toward him, surprised by how easily he’d attached himself to Caleb. He’d always been friendly, but this felt… different. “Baby,” I said gently, “you’ll have to ask him if he would like to.”
Caleb smiled down at him without hesitation. “I’d love to.” He opened the trunk and pulled out a car seat.
I raised my eyebrows.
“Nieces and nephews,” he explained easily.
Of course.I strapped Lucas in, making sure the belt sat properly across his chest, then slid into the passenger seat.
“Where should I head, Little Man?” Caleb asked as he pulled away from the curb.
Lucas bounced in his seat. “Uncle Lucy’s Diner!”
The moment we walked in,the servers greeted Lucas and me by name.
Caleb glanced around, taking it all in.
Uncle Lucy’s Diner was one of those places that felt stitched together with familiarity—run by a husband-and-wife team, staffed by young people who genuinely liked being there. Their Donut Ice-Cream Sandwiches were practically famous online, but it was the food that kept people coming back.
As we settled into our booth, I felt Caleb watching me—not in a way that made me uncomfortable, but in a way that made me aware.
While Lucas devoured his food, chatting endlessly, I caught Caleb studying him. Then me.
I could almost see the questions forming behind his eyes.
My phone rang, cutting through the moment. I answered quickly.
“Hi, Elle. I’m at Uncle Lucy’s with Lucas and Caleb.”
We exchanged a few details about the party that night before she asked to speak to Caleb.
I handed the phone to him.
He looked surprised but took it. “Hi, Elle. How are you?”
I watched his expression shift as he listened.
“Yes… okay. That’s kind of you, thanks. I’ll see you tonight.”
He handed the phone back to me, searching my face. “Elle’s invited me to join you both at the barbecue tonight. I hope it’s okay.”
Lucas fist-pumped in his seat.
I sipped my iced tea, smiling, even as something uneasy flickered beneath it. This was becoming… more. More than I’d anticipated.
Just then, an elderly woman from the next table approached us, smiling warmly. “You look like such a wonderful family,” she said. “God bless you.”
I opened my mouth to correct her immediately, but Caleb’s hand rested over mine.
“Thank you,” he said smoothly. “It’s very kind of you to say that.”
Lucas giggled.
I froze. My eyes widened, my pulse skidding.
