Jamal's kitchen smelled warm and sweet as Jamal and Callan moved around, preparing breakfast, while the girls giggled and gossiped.
Jamal stood at the stove flipping pancakes with one hand while Josh stood beside him, observing and cheering him on.
Callan, who was squeezing oranges at the counter, tried not to stare at Emily too much, but his eyes kept drifting to her anyway.
But Emily was oblivious to the attention she was receiving from Callan. She was too busy chatting with Mari and Dawn.
As the guys served breakfast on the table, Mari looked around the room with a soft smile. "It's so good to be with you all again this way," she said, pressing her hand to her chest. "It's even better now that Dawn is here," she said, winking at Dawn.
Dawn grinned at her, loving her sunny personality.
Emily nudged Mari's shoulder. "You won't be disappearing again this way, right?"
Mari laughed. "Oh, I won't. I'm back for good."
