Culinary Skills

Malik's feet move before he can think, taking a step towards her, his free hand instinctively reaching out as if to pull her close.

But then, the cold wave of reality washes over him and he stops, his hand frozen in mid-air.

_What the hell is happening to me?_ he thinks frantically.

He forces himself to look away, to focus on Zaria. He shifts the little girl in his arms, trying ignore the fluttery feeling in his gut.

"I see," he manages to say, clearing his throat shakily.

Looking only at zaria, he asks. "Did you have fun with Ms. Emerson?"

The baby squeals, her tiny hands reaching up to touch her father's face.

Malik's huffs, exasperated, but he presses a kiss to her soft cheek.

Robin watches the exchange, her heart aching with a mixture of envy and longing.

Malik turns to Robin, eyes refusing to meet hers. "Thank you for watching her," he says, his voice awkward.