Chapter 3 - The Linen Collar
Lily buried her face deep into the warm nook between Mark’s neck and his crisp white shirt collar.
Her tiny hands, sticky with melted sugar and butter, clutched the lapels of his navy suit.
Her small body convulsed against his ribcage, her hot tears soaking straight through his cotton shirt.
"Daddy..." she gasped, her little lungs struggling to catch a single full breath.
"Daddy... I didn't mean to burn the star."
Mark pressed his right palm flat against the back of her braided head, holding her close to his heart.
He stroked her hair once, twice, his thumb wiping a smudge of flour from behind her ear.
"Shh," Mark murmured into her hair, his voice vibrating deep inside his chest.
"I have you, Lily. I’ve got you."
Across the island, Vanessa straightened her shoulders, her short dark hair falling back into place.
She smoothed the front of her beige blouse with trembling, tense fingers.
"She’s out of control, Mark," Vanessa said, her voice rising to cover the tremor in her hands.
May you like
"She ruined the pan. She doesn't listen to anything I say."
---
