LILY

The little ding whispered through the wind and pulled our attention to the oven.

“It's ready!” Emma screamed happily. I made my way to the oven, a glove in hand as I pulled out the hot, steamy muffins.

The sweet scent oozed out of the oven and enticed our tastebuds.

I placed it on the kitchen island as they hurried closer. Adrian stood behind me—so close I could hear his heavy breathing, feel the rise and fall of his chest, and for a second, his scent of leather and oud seeped through the muffin-thickened air and straight to my bones.

I exhaled hard, trying—and thankfully succeeding—to pull myself together....