Page 21 of Finding Her Strength

“Hope, have you put up any decorations in the new house?” Mom asks.

“There’s already some up from Quinn, but I was thinking about buying some others.”

“Oh, what a great idea. Make sure you get Levi’s help hanging them. You don’t want them to break if they fall.”

Hope’s brown eyes flick up to mine, apprehension and desire swirling in them. Seizing on Mom’s continued scheming, I say, “I’d be happy to help. Here,” I lean over to grab a business card from my wallet, “this is my cell, so give me a call when you’ve picked out some things.” I hand over the card, being careful to give her plenty of room to grab it without having to touch me.

“Thanks.”

“We need to head out,” Cooper says, looking as if he can’t wait another second to get Quinn home. He stands, taking their plates to the kitchen. Since dinner has been over for a while, we all follow suit, standing with our dishes to put them by the sink.

“Shouldn’t you be exhausted after the honeymoon, Coop? You just got back a few weeks ago. Maybe you’re not doing it right. I’d be happy to give you some pointers,” I tease. Cooper punches me in the arm as I laugh. I glance over at Hope, a blush blooming in her cheeks. When her eyes find mine, I can’t help but wink at her. Her smile grows, and I’ve officially won a gold medal for the evening.

Dad, Cooper, and I quickly clean off the table together as the girls talk. Something about this scene feels incredibly right. Like all the pieces of the puzzle are finally where they should be.

Cooper gives Quinn another look that says he’s dying to get her home, and a little niggle of jealousy worms its way through my stomach. What would it be like to have a person you want to spend all your time with? To have someone who, with just one look, knows exactly what you’re thinking. I stopped believing I was ever going to have it until I met Hope. Now, it feels like my future is only standing a few feet away.

My eyes find her across the room, laughing at something my mom is saying. I could watch her laugh all day and not tire of it.

“You should ask her out,” Cooper says from my left.

“I did; the ball’s in her court now.”

“When have you ever waited for someone else to tell you what to do?”

His words make me pause. He’s right. I’ve always been the one to jump in headfirst instead of waiting around.

“She’s different, man. Treat her that way,” Cooper continues, then slaps me on the shoulder.

“See you later, Levi.” Quinn gives me a quick hug, then walks over to Hope to say goodbye.

Cooper’s advice unlocks something in my brain. Hope is different from any other woman I’ve ever encountered, which means my actions need to be different than they normally would be. I’ve never had to work hard for a date, which only solidifies the point. My dating history has been flighty at best and playboy at worst. If I want Hope to know how special she is to me, I need to woo the shit out of her until she has no choice but to say yes.

“Hope, would you and Levi mind doing the dishes for me?”

“I don’t mind doing them by myself,” I offer, giving Hope an out.

“No, I should help since I got to enjoy the meal without making it.”

“Thank you so much, dear,” Mom says, leaving us in the kitchen alone. Her matchmaking tactics hit me the minute she leaves. She’s devious.

Hope and I work together to gather all the dishes, then make a game plan for how we want to tackle the massive pile. It looks like we’re going to be here awhile. Thank God.

“Popcorn or candy?”

“We’re starting this again?” She raises her eyebrow, one of my favorite expressions of hers.

“Of course. How else am I supposed to learn everything about you?”

Hope looks at me for a bit, almost as if she’s trying to get a read on me. “Popcorn for movies. Candy for road trips.”

“Interesting distinction. But I’d have to agree with both. Beach or mountains?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen either.”

“What? Seriously?”

Hope shrugs her shoulders, keeping her face blank. I make a plan right then to take her to a beach as soon as possible.

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