Page 35 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“Bachelor supper. Popcorn.” He turned the screen of his tablet so Hannah could see the title of a romantic comedy. “How about this one?”

“Are you sure you’re up for a discussion about relationships and gender roles?” she teased.

“Maybe we could skip deciphering all that and just enjoy it. Or make out.”

He laughed at her expression. She should be put off by his jokes about kissing, but her cheeks grew pink every time and made it much too tempting to stop. Besides, he figured she might be disappointed if he did let up.

“I’ve wanted to see that one for a long time,” Hannah admitted.

“I hear there could be some scary parts, like a breakup,” he said seriously. He slung his right arm across the back of the couch and tipped his chin toward the space beside him. “If you need to move over this way, I’ll protect you.”

“You’re funny.”

“Not cocky?”

“Not always. Just ninety-nine percent of the time.”

From his side of the couch he heard Hannah’s stomach rumble.

“Interested in pizza?” he asked.

“I’m on a budget.” She held up a hand. “Don’t say it.”

“Say what?”

“That I should fight for more hours at the day care, even though the other mom...” Hannah shook her head, as if her argument didn’t matter, that he wouldn’t listen to it. Which was true. In Louis’s mind she was equally deserving, and nothing else mattered. She needed to stop giving up something as vital as her financial independence.

He scooted closer.

“Hey,” he said softly. Hannah faced him, arms crossed, ready for a lecture. “I like that you’re kind, generous, and think of others. Those are good qualities, you know.”

Blinking, Hannah stared at him. “And...?”

He felt like she was waiting for him to call her complaisant—putting the needs and wishes of others before herself. Studying her, he could see that she already felt ashamed for not standing up for herself financially, and that his pushing might cause her to feel worse about herself rather than motivate her to do more.

“And what?” he asked gently.

“We’re long overdue for an argument, so go ahead and say it.”

He sighed.

“Come on, we’ve spent several fight-free hours together and I know what you’re thinking,” she said.

He scooted even closer, his arm still slung over the back of the cushions. He was near enough that he could feel the heat from her leg, her torso. He slowly brushed a thumb down her cheek. “Even though I don’t always understand you, I think you’re pretty special.”

“And?”

“And that’s all.”

She stared at him for a long moment, as though watching for a tell that would show her he was lying. A flicker in his eyelids, a fidgeting hand.

But he wasn’t lying.

“That’s all?” she whispered.

“Well, one more thing.”

She sat straighter.

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