Page 80 of After All This Time

I love when she’s annoyed at me.

Dani’s basket is basically a ghost town and so is mine.

I’m so full, but I want that damn ice cream, especially because she has to buy it for me.

Valerie walks over to us. “Guess you guys were hungry?”

“You could say that,” Dani says.

“Ready for the check?”

We both nod and look at each other.

If she thinks she’s paying for this, she’s out of her mind.

Valerie goes over to the touchscreen to print out our check, setting it down in between us.

“You’re not paying for this.”

“Noah.”

I shake my head. “Do I need to remind you again of what you’ve done for my family?”

“No, you don’t.”

“Besides, you’re buying me ice cream. It’s a win-win situation.”

“Yeah, for you.”

“You’re. Not. Paying. For. This,” I repeat.

“Fine.” She furrows her eyebrows, sinking in her seat.

“You’re not actually upset about this. Are you? If you are, I’d be happy to have you pay for lunch and my ice cream.”

“No, you’re offering to pay, so pay.”

“You’re mad.”

“I am not.”

“You do this thing with your face when you’re mad.”

“Shut up. No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. Your eyebrows furrow, your mouth turns into a frown, and you cross your arms in front of your chest.”

“Stop making shit up.”

“You’re doing it right now!” I laugh. “I know it’s hard to not think about Lizzie. Having an intense case of writer’s block probably doesn’t help either. It’s nice to spend time with you and not scream at each other.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s nice.”

“You guess?”

“What do you want me to say, Noah?”

There are so many things I want to say to you.

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