Page 72 of Finding Forever

“I’ll speak to him.”

Dave shook his head. “Don’t. He cares about you.”

Beth looked unconvinced. “Was that all he said?”

Dave hesitated. He hadn’t intended to tell her the rest tonight, but avoiding it suddenly seemed pointless. “He wanted to know if I was serious about you.”

Beth’s fingers went still around her glass. “What did you say?”

Dave held her gaze. “I said yes.”

For a moment, she didn’t speak, and he wondered if he’d said too much. Then a small smile appeared on her face. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

Beth smiled. “I like that answer.”

Relief loosened something inside him. Dave reached across the table and held Beth’s hand.

“I told Ryan I like you,” she admitted.

Dave rubbed his thumb across the back of her fingers. “You did?”

“A lot.”

The simple admission warmed his heart. “That’s useful information.”

Beth grinned. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“I’ll try not to.” Reluctantly, Dave let go of Beth’s hand. They finished dinner talking about the weeks ahead. Kayla’s wedding was getting closer, and Beth still had the table favors to finish. Dave was sending a team to help decorate the arts center, and to check the exterior railings before the opening day.

When their plates were empty, Beth straightened her cutlery. “I can’t believe we’ve nearly finished remodeling the arts center. It’ll feel strange not seeing Hank and his crew there each day.”

Dave was glad the arts center was almost finished, but he’d miss going there for totally selfish reasons. “I’ll miss seeing so much of you.”

Beth held his hand. “Me, too.”

Dave tightened his fingers around hers. “Then we’ll have to find other reasons to see each other.”

Beth’s smile slowly returned. “I think we can manage that.”

“So do I.”

After clearing the table, Dave rinsed the dishes, then stacked them inside the dishwasher.

“I’ll get the tablecloth,” Beth said over her shoulder as she walked back into the dining room.

While she was gone, Dave helped himself to a cookie. The center was still slightly soft, with crunchy pieces of walnut and more chocolate than any sensible recipe required.

When Beth returned, she leaned against the counter. “What do you think?”

Dave didn’t know where to start. They were delicious. “You could open a bakery and sell nothing but these. They’re the best cookies I’ve ever tasted.”

Beth smiled and pushed the container closer. “Have as many as you like. I can make caramel ones next time.”

Dave stopped chewing. “Next time?”

Beth picked up a cookie. “Assuming you invite me back.”