Lucas sat in his office, his phone resting on the desk in front of him.
He sighed, guilt gnawing at him as he finally picked it up and dialed the number. The line barely rang before a familiar, sweet voice answered.
“Daddy!” Lily’s excitement radiated through the phone, and Lucas’s chest tightened.
“Hey, princess,” he said softly, his lips curving into a small smile despite himself. “How’s my favorite girl?”
“I’m good!” Lily said, her words rushing out like a burst of sunshine. “Guess what? Mia let me bake cookies today!”
“Oh yeah?” Lucas leaned back in his chair, imagining her little hands covered in flour, her determined expression as she worked. “How’d that go? Kitchen still standing?”
“Barely!” Lily giggled. “Mia said I made a huge mess, but the cookies were so good, Daddy. You’
