Page 63 of Hunting Justice

“Do what?”

She tapped her chair. “This.”

He folded his hands on the table and gave her his full attention. “Because you’re special and should be treated as such.” The air conditioner kicked on and filled the otherwise quiet room with a soft hum. He reached over and smoothed the crease between her eyes. “You’re thinking too hard.”

She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “I don’t get it.”

“You will.” Jonah smiled and returned his focus to work.

He heard her huff, then the click of keys.

Thirty minutes later, research complete, Jonah stored his computer. “Ready for dinner?”

“Beyond ready.” Noelle leaned back in her chair. “I’ll make spaghetti.”

“No. I want to take care of you tonight.” He moved to the cabinets and pulled out the ingredients for the quick-fix meal.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. Consider this our first date.”

She spun on her seat. “Date?”

He chuckled. “I can’t exactly take you out to a nice restaurant or to the movies, but I can make do here at the house.”

“I guess.” She folded her arms. “What can I do to help?”

“Absolutely nothing.”

She shook her head.

He crouched next to her. “Tonight is about you and only you. I want you to relax and enjoy. That’s your job for the evening.” He’d never seen her pout before, and he found it adorable. He tapped her nose. “Go find a movie for later. I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.”

The bewildered look on her face kicked his plan up a notch. Noelle had no idea how to navigate a simple date. A combination of sadness on her behalf and delight that he had the opportunity to introduce her to dating played tug-of-war within him.

He could not mess this up. Jonah laughed. No pressure there.

* * *

Noelle had chosen a comedy for herself and Jonah to watch, and her stomach ached from laughing so hard. She snuggled deeper into Jonah’s embrace, enjoying the tenderness and affection. So different from their typical evenings together where they sat on opposite sides of the couch and talked. The man had exceeded her expectations of date night. Of course, those expectations had limits due to her lack of relationship experience. She could get used to more evenings like this one.

Jonah’s hand caressed her arm. “What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Hmm. Wouldn’t you like to know?” She bit her lips to keep from laughing at his expression.

He rolled his eyes. “Come on, spill.”

“I’m happy. Tonight is exactly what I needed. A wonderful dinner. A funny movie. And a great guy who makes me feel special.”

Jonah’s chest rose and fell. A smile spread on his gorgeous face. He leaned in. “You are special.”

And cue awkward. He’d kissed her once. Did he plan to kiss her again? Did she want him to? Yes…no…maybe.

“Elle, relax. I’m not going to kiss you.”

Her entire body sagged. Their first official date, and he didn’t want her. What had she done wrong?

“Please, don’t do that.”

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