Page 59 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Before we eat dessert," I say, "how about if we do the dishes and clean the kitchen? Lisa is going to come by in the morning to empty out the refrigerator and pantry."

After we finish loading the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen, we spend time tidying up the living areas.

"You know," Laila begins. "Lisa is going to come in tomorrow and clean this place from top to bottom."

"I know," I say, "but it makes me feel better to think she won't have that much to do."

"I open one of the kitchen drawers and pull out an envelope addressed to Lisa.

When I place it on the kitchen counter, Laila glances at it.

"That's a nice touch," she says, pulling herself up on the counter.

"Do you want some cake?" I ask.

"I do," she says. "Holly said it was the best part of dinner."

"Holly is six," I say. "What do you think?"

I hand her the last molten cake and a spoon. When she cuts into it, the melted chocolate oozes out of the center.

"Hmm, it's perfect," she says after taking the first bite.

"Looks like you're really enjoying it," I say when she closes her eyes.

"Here, have some," she says, offering me the next bite.

I accept the spoonful, and after I finish chewing, I nod.

"I agree," I say. "The chocolate center is warm and gooey. It's delicious."

When she smiles and stares at me, I say, "What?"

"You have a little bit of chocolate right here," she says, pointing at the corner of her lip.

"Right here?' I ask, pointing to the wrong side of my mouth.

"No," she says, "right there." When she reaches with her napkin to wipe my face, I stop her hand in mid-air.

"Right here?" I ask, pointing at my chin.

"You're being silly," she says, laughing.

I take the plate from her hands and put it to the side.

"You still have chocolate on your face," she says. "Let me get it."

I wrap my arms around her, pinning her arms to her chest so she can't move. She's giggling and wriggling, trying to free herself from my arms.

When she gives up the fight to free herself, I loosen the hug. She's staring at me, wondering what I'll do next.

"You look silly," she says.

"I still have chocolate on my lip?"

"Yeah, it's right there."

When she tries to touch it with her fingertip, I gently move her hand down.

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