Page 46 of Finding Forever

Beth nodded. “That’s great.”

Her gaze stayed on Dave a little longer than it would have a week ago, and Sunday night came rushing back. He remembered the warmth of her body against his. The surprise of finally kissing her after wondering what it would be like. And then Beth kissing him back.

There was no uncertainty about whether she was attracted to him anymore. What Dave didn’t know was what happened next.

Beth smiled at him, and Dave had the ridiculous urge to kiss her again.

Right there in the middle of the arts center.

With Hank watching.

Probably not his best idea.

“I’ve got a meeting with Natalie soon,” Beth said. “But before I meet her, I need to check a few things here.”

Dave smiled. “Okay.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. There was something different between them now. Dave could feel it in the silence, in Beth’s lingering smile, and in his own inability to think of anything sensible to say.

A hammer suddenly hit the floor behind them.

Beth jumped.

“Sorry,” Hank said.

He didn’t sound sorry. Dave gave him a warning look.

Beth laughed. “I’ll leave you to it.” She started toward the office, then glanced back at Dave. “I’ll see you later.”

“Sure.”

He watched her walk away. Dave knew Hank was probably watching him watch Beth, but he didn’t care.

Beth disappeared into the office, and the scrape of sandpaper filled the room again. It lasted less than a minute.

“Did something happen between you two?” Hank asked.

Dave kept his attention on the trim. “What makes you think that?”

Hank laughed. “Your face.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my face.”

Hank shrugged. “I didn’t say there was. You just look ridiculously happy.”

Dave picked up his pencil. He should have known there was no point trying to hide anything from Hank. They’d known each other too long.

“I kissed her.”

The sanding stopped.

When Dave looked up, Hank was grinning.

“Good for you.”

There was enough genuine pleasure in his voice that Dave smiled. “Thanks.”

Hank studied him for another second. “And?”