"Need any help?" Luke stands right behind me, breathing warm air down my neck as Finn giggles with Grams in the other room.

I grip the countertop tightly, stilling at the closeness of his body, and let the water run over the dirty casserole dish. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply, the salty-sea smell mixed with Luke's natural scent bringing me back to an easier time.

"Hello? Earth to Dylan?" Luke chuckles and I turn immediately, my eyes flashing to his face, speckled with sun-kiss freckles.

"I'm fine." I answer abruptly, blinking away the memories. That damn smile. He knows what he's doing. "I don't need anything."

Dinner was a rambunctious affair - Finn isn't a fan of green beans, but Luke tried really hard to keep him polite. It was funny to see Luke having a difficult time, nearly losing his patience but somehow remaining kind and soft spoken with the boy. A boy who Grams has quite the soft spot for, I noticed.

But every so often, I caught Luke looking at me. Really looking. When he noticed me noticing him, he'd only smirk or wink, immediately playful and entirely confusing.

Shaking my head, I wipe down the casserole dish and set it aside to dry.

No leftovers though, I chew my lip and remind myself to make another stop at the grocery store. Luke apparently loves green beans. Of course.

"Do you ever get tired of saying that?" He cocks his head to the side, dark hair disheveled from his baseball cap now sitting at his spot at the table. His spot. I hate that I've seen him sitting there enough to claim it as his.

Glancing at the empty seat at the head of the table, I feel a painful clench in my chest. At least he's not using that chair.

Luke grins, dimples popping in his smooth, tan skin and my heartbeat quickens.

Get it together. This is Luke. Luke fucking Henson.

"If you're so worried about me repeating myself," I sigh, maneuvering around his body to put away a stack of plates. "Don't make me have to."

The stack of plates shifts in my hands, still damp from washing, and Luke bumps into my body to catch a falling dish. Steadying me by placing a large hand on the revealed small of my back, his skin is rough from manual labor but soft enough to ignite sparks under my skin. Still touching me, he rests the plate in the correct spot in the cabinet and peers down at me seriously.

Sighing, I stack the rest of the dishes and brush his hand away, stepping back to create some distance in the small kitchen. I meet his eyes and raise my chin defensively, but don't speak, worried my voice will come out shaky and give me away.

Letting his hand drop from where it's trailed to my hip, Luke frowns slightly before half-smiling, the energy between us fizzling into friendly chatter.

"Finn really likes you. The second you were out of the car he started going a mile a minute,"

Despite myself, I soften at the mention of my newest friend, uncrossing my arms. "I like him, too."

Leaning back against the sink, Luke trails his eyes up my body slowly. My breath hitches in my throat, my hands finding the countertop behind me to rest against.

What is it about Luke that riles me up so much? Shit, I'm not a stupid girl anymore. Get. It. Together.

Snapping back to reality, I look at the clock over Luke's shoulder. "It's late. Finn must be getting tired."

After listening for just a moment, I make out soft snores - either from Grams or Finn, I'm not sure. Chuckling at that thought, I tiptoe around the corner to find the toddler curled in Grams frail lap. Both of their eyes are closed, chests slowly rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

My own heart lurches at the sweetness of it all. If I'd been carrying my phone, I'd take a photo. But the incessant ringing the past few days has left me to leave it tucked away in my room.

"Finn also really loves Miss June," Luke whispers in my ear as he passes. A shiver runs up my spine but I ignore it, instead too focused on how he gently bends and scoops Finn into his arms. In one fluid motion, he stands, Finn never even blinking an eye.

Tucking Finn's head under his chin, Luke places his baseball cap on his head and nods towards the door.

"I'll be going then."

"See ya," I wave lamely, following him to the door.

With one last glance, Luke tucks Finn into his car seat and hops into the van. Waving another time, I close the door behind them and make my way back to Grams.