Page 34 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“I think I’m going to like movie night,” he said, wrapping his free arm around her waist. “What else happens? Any kissing?” He waggled his eyebrows as she stepped out of his embrace, laughing despite how, only hours earlier, she’d called them out about almost kissing.

Was it possible that he could make her less-than-fun moments laughable? He wanted to be the man who, when she thought her whole world was about to fall apart or get complicated, could simply walk through the door and make everything feel better.

Right now, the tense lines that had framed her mouth before he’d flown out to coach hockey practice were gone. But she had an odd expression in her eyes, as if she was puzzled.

“What?” he asked. “You have a funny look on your face.”

“I’m thinking.”

“You’re not thinking about kissing, though,” he mused. “Your expression isn’t dreamy enough.”

“I keep catching myself liking you.”

“Well, you should like yourfriends. And shouldn’t that be a dreamy look if youlikeme?”

“How’s this?” She clamped her hands together under her chin and batted her lashes.

Sassy. Just the way he loved her.

“Remind me again why I agreed to be friends?” he asked as he kicked off his shoes.

“You’re funny, Louis. Cocky, but funny. And you need someone to keep you in line. I’m that gal.”

“I prefer the termconfidentover cocky.”

He handed her the snack bag and she nosed through the contents. “What’s the tablet for?” she asked, lifting it out.

“I have some movies on it. You probably have something lined up already, though?”

“Are you trying to curb your bossiness?”

“How am I doing?”

“Not bad. Even though you did invite yourself over.”

He caught Hannah’s smile and he gave a small shake of his head before leading her to the kitchen, taking the bag back from her so he could make the microwave popcorn while she opened the iced tea.

When they were ready, they settled on the living room couch, the best seat in the house.

“So? What are we watching?” he asked. He caught sight of a framed photo on the side table and tipped it toward him to take a better look. Hannah and the boys mugging for the camera. He let out a chuckle and set it back again.

“Well,” she said slowly, “I usually choose a romantic comedy, and then the boys and I have a discussion afterward about respecting our partners and how communication is the key to any successful relationship.”

Louis tossed popcorn at her.

“Hey!”

“You’re a liar. I bet you watch animated kids’ movies each and every time.”

She smirked, and he chucked another piece of popcorn at her. In a flash, she opened her mouth and leaned to the side, catching it with a satisfying crunch. “Thank you.”

Man, she was sexy. With her mussed-up hair, sassy attitude and the way she rolled with the punches. Yet she wasn’t made of Teflon, and he knew that beneath the veneer was a vulnerable woman he needed to cherish and protect.

He opened a bag of chocolate-covered raisins and chucked one her way, but it bounced off her teeth. Hannah scrambled after it just as Obi lunged, his efforts hampered by the slippery hardwood flooring. “Raisins are bad for dogs. So is chocolate.” She grabbed it just in time.

“Sorry. You get it?” Louis asked, leaning forward to snag Obi’s collar.

“Yep.” Hannah popped the raisin in her mouth. “Five-second rule. Did you say something about supper?”

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