Page 65 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

“Sometimes two people just fit, and all they’re waiting for is a little nudge to get them to see it.”

She never breaks eye contact with me, just goes on staring like she can find answers to other questions there. Daring more than I thought I might tonight, I slip my hand beneath hers where it rests on her leg and twine our fingers together.

The softest, smallest smile touches her mouth, and her hand tightens in mine.

It’s more than enough.

A minute or two later, I turn my attention back to the movie and find Willa grinning at us.

So. That’s going to be fun.

When Christopher and Ava Donnelly show up to collect their children, Willa is nearly zonked out. Finn’s been quiet for a while, either getting sleepy or really missing his video game systems. Georgia helps them collect all their things, and I just sort of stand around superfluous.

“Miles,” Ava says, as though we have secrets between us. “It’s so good of you to help Georgia with the kids.”

“I’m always happy to have pizza and watch a Muppet movie,” I joke. Incidentally, the joke is true.

Christopher’s thin smile doesn’t carry much warmth. “How is the bookstore doing this quarter?”

“Dad!” Georgia calls from where she’s stuffing Willa’s sweater into a backpack. “You don’t need to ask about that.”

“It’s a valid question I’d ask of any small business owner.”

She glares, herding the kids to the door. “Then you should rethink your small talk.”

Ava laughs as though they’re always like this. From what I’ve seen, they mostly are. “Kids, say thank you to Georgia andMiles.”

The emphasis makes me think that seeing romance everywhere runs in this family.

The kids do as they’re told, and Willa throws her arms around each of us. Finn is somewhat less affectionate but no less grateful.

“See you both tomorrow,” Ava calls as Christopher ushers the family out of the apartment.

Once they’re gone, Georgia closes the door and leans against it, facing me, her hands behind her back. “Scale from one to ten, how bad was it? One is the worst night ever. Ten is practically tolerable.”

I shrug. “I’d say an eight. Minus a point for the marinara incident, and one for how much of Willa’s food I saw while she ate it.”

“Feral animals have better table manners. And you’re way too generous with your points system.”

“I had a good time.” Aside from all the distance between us right now.

“I’m sorry we didn’t do the practice date like I said we would.”

“I really don’t think I’m as hopeless as you seem to imagine I am.”

Her mouth curls just a touch. “Maybe not.”

Normally, at the end of an evening together, we just go our separate ways. Say thank you for dinner or the movie or whatever and carry on. Tonight, we stare like we don’t know how to close out our time together. Or, wishful thinking, maybe neither of us wants it to end?

“We could still go through the end of date stuff,” she says. “Since we’re basically here now.”

That’s an intriguing possibility. “What do you have in mind?”

“You know. Do you ask to see her again? Do you play it cool? Do you kiss her?”

The word “kiss” on her lips sends a spark of adrenaline through my system. I take a step closer. “In this case, I ask to see her again.”

She nods as though mentally ticking a box somewhere. “And, um…the kiss?”

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