"Really?" Her face glows at the compliment.
"Absolutely. Best sous chef I've ever had."
A movement at the kitchen entrance catches my eye. Jules Sinclair stands there, watching us with an unreadable expression. How long has she been there? Her meeting must be on break.
"Mommy!" Mia rushes toward her, proudly displaying her flour-dusted apron. "I'm a sous chef! That means I'm second in command of the whole kitchen!"
Jules smiles. A real smile that transforms her face completely. For a moment, I glimpse the woman beneath the polished executive exterior, and my heart does an unexpected flip.
"I see that." She brushes flour from Mia's cheek. "Are you behaving yourself?"
"She's been incredible," I chime in, wiping my hands on a towel as I approach. "A total natural in the kitchen."
"We made cookies with whole ingredients," Mia announces proudly. "It's educational because it teaches chemistry and patience!"
Jules raises an eyebrow at me, but there's a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Chemistry and patience, huh?"
"And math," I add with a straight face. "She's practically done a semester's worth of fractions this morning."
"Is that right?" Jules kneels down to Mia's level. "Are you having fun?"
Mia nods enthusiastically. "Can I stay with Declan for the rest of the day? Please?"
Jules glances up at me, hesitation clear in her expression.
"Your meeting runs until five, right?" I offer. "Mia can help me prep dinner, and then maybe join you for the actual meal?"
"I don't want to impose..." Jules begins, but her voice lacks conviction.
"It's not an imposition. Honestly, she's making my day more interesting." I smile at Mia. "Plus, I need someone to teach me about educational activities. Apparently, I've been wasting my time cooking for fun."
That earns me another glimpse of her real smile, brief but stunning.
"Alright," she concedes. "But only because I don't have alternatives at the moment." She turns to Mia. "Remember the rules, okay? And I'll come check on you whenever we take breaks."
"I promise," Mia says solemnly, then rubs her hands together. "Can we make more cookies?"
"After we prep the actual food," I remind her. "Cookies are dessert, remember?"
Jules straightens, brushing imaginary wrinkles from her blouse. "I should get back. The team is waiting."
"We've got this," I assure her. "Go run the world."
She looks at me for a moment, something unspoken passing between us, before nodding briskly and turning to go.
"Oh, and Ms. Sinclair?" I call after her. "There might be a plate of educational cookies in the conference room when you get back."
She pauses, glancing over her shoulder. "Thank you," she says simply, but I catch the flash of real gratitude in her eyes before she slips away.
After she leaves, Mia tugs on my apron. "Mom never lets me bake at home."
"No? Why not?"
"She says it's too messy and inefficient. And we don't have time for inefficient activities."
I look down at this little girl, so hungry for creative freedom and simple joys, and feel something protective stir in my chest.
"Well, you're in my kitchen now," I tell her, ruffling her hair lightly. "And here, messy and inefficient are my middle names."
