Page 64 of The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook

“No, it’s fine,” Tyler said. His gaze held hers, steady and sure. “Emma knows you stayed over because you had a rough day and I didn’t want you alone. No pressure to be social—I just wanted you to know.”

The honesty of it made something in Robyn relax. It was probably the right way to handle it. Simple. Age-appropriate. No secrecy, no awkwardness.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “As long as she’s okay with it…”

“Okay with it?” Tyler’s mouth curved. “She wanted to make you pancakes in bed, but I told her she’d be late for school if she didn’t get a move on.”

“For the record,” Robyn said, blowing lightly over the rim of her coffee before taking a sip, “I’d take pancakes in bed any day.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tyler murmured.

As if on cue, the door creaked open again.

Emma appeared in the doorway with her hair in pigtails and wearing a bright blue hoodie with rainbow stripes, backpack already on. She looked between them without even a flicker of surprise, as if this was all perfectly normal.

“Morning,” she said, casual as anything.

Robyn’s stomach fluttered anyway. “Morning, Emma.”

Emma stepped one foot into the room, eyes bright. “Are you going to be here when I get home after school?”

Robyn shook her head gently. “Afraid not. I have to work at the bookstore.”

Emma’s face fell, then bounced back with quick determination. “Maybe you could come over after?”

“Maybe,” Robyn said, smiling, because it was easier than explaining adult schedules to an eight-year-old who ran on hope and snack packs. “But I promise I’ll see you really soon.”

Emma brightened at that like Robyn had handed her a signed contract. “Okay. Well, I gotta go. The bus is almost here.”

She crossed the room, gave Tyler a big hug that he returned without hesitation, then darted away again, already moving at the speed of a child on a mission.

“Love you, bye!” she called over her shoulder as she ran out.

Tyler watched her go with a soft look that made Robyn’s chest ache.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, setting his mug down and heading out to see Emma to the door.

Robyn sat in the quiet for a moment, both hands wrapped around the coffee like it could anchor her. The house felt softer now, as if Emma’s bright, rushing energy had left a warm imprint in the hallway. She could still hear the tail end of it: Tyler’s low voice, Emma’s quick footsteps, the front door opening and closing.

The bedroom door opened again a few minutes later, and Tyler stepped in with that same calm, settled presence he always carried, like he’d just put the world in its place and come back to her. His hair slightly mussed, his expression softened in a way that gave Robyn all the feels.

He crossed the room without hurry, sat on the edge of the bed, and brushed his knuckles along her cheek as if he was checking in without asking.

“You okay?” he murmured.

Robyn nodded, setting her coffee mug on the nightstand, though the truth was complicated. She was okay in this room. In this bed. With him. She was not okay in the rest of her life, which was still waiting to pounce the second she opened her email.

Tyler leaned in and kissed her. It was soft at first.

It didn’t stay that way.

Robyn kissed him back and let a small sound slip out when his hand tightened at her waist. She nipped gently at his bottom lip, testing. Tyler made a low, rough sound in his throat, like he’d been waiting for that exact permission. The kiss deepened, slow and hungry.

“We’ve got about two hours until you have to be at the store. Shower?” he murmured against her mouth.

Robyn nodded. A shower would be the perfect way to start the day that didn’t involve her brain sprinting ahead into catastrophe.

She nodded, smiling faintly against his lips. “Yeah.”