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Bennett scooted his chair closer to the table, to her. “You could, you know. You can hole up here with me and we can watch the world pass us by while we drink wine and cuddle and do crossword puzzles till we grow old.”

“You know, I actually wished for that earlier today? But we have jobs, Bennett. And people who are counting on us.”

“Ah, forget ’em. They can handle life without us. Tell me it isn’t a little tempting. You, me, crosswords, forever.” He took her hand only to discover it trembled in his. He kissed it.

“Bennett, don’t.”

“Okay, fine. I don’t like crosswords, either. We can play dominoes or something instead.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Thanks. I’ve worked long and hard to get that way. I blame my brother for most of it.”

She giggled. “How about we start with that movie you mentioned and go from there?”

“Good plan, Newman. Only after this delicious dinner you cooked up. I think my mom might kiss you for finally getting me to eat peppers and asparagus.”

Dinner went smoothly. Perfectly, in his opinion. Maggie talked about her time in San Antonio, about starting the business and the work it took to get it to the successful venture it was today.

Everything he was curious about, they discussed, and her willingness to open up to him said more than the lease papers did. A fragile peace settled over him. He could do this, the whole taking their time thing. If it meant nights like this, learning more about the woman he cared about, then yeah. He could take it slow.

Except he almost changed his mind when Maggie’s arm kept brushing against his while they cleaned up.

“You don’t have to do this,” he said. “You cooked. I clean. That’s the rule.”

“Whose?” she asked, flicking soapy water on his shirt. He smiled and flicked some back.

“My mom’s. I dunno. Everyone, right?”

She laughed and he tucked the sound away for later.

“No, not everyone believes that. But I’m glad you do. Still, I want to help. This is nice.”

It was. Her beside him, their bodies brushing against one another while they washed and dried in comfortable silence—it was his idea of heaven, and he was living it.

When the dishes were put away, a frenetic energy buzzed in Bennett’s chest.

“Want to watch that movie?”

“It’s getting late,” she said, but her eyes were bright, and she nibbled on her lower lip.

“Your choice. There’s a new rom com we can stream. Something about a doctor who hates his boss but finds out she’s his secret crush online.”

“Like You’ve Got Mail?”

“The one with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan? Yeah, I guess so. But hopefully with some blood and gore since it’s in a hospital.” He winked at her.

“Of course. I was worried there for a sec when you suggested a rom com.”

“I kinda liked the latest Ryan Gosling flick. Let’s just say I’m coming around to them.”

Maggie took a couple hesitant steps toward the couch. “Just when I think you’re done surprising me, you go and say something so jaw-dropping I don’t think I’ll recover.”

“Is that a good thing?” he asked.

“Very. Okay. Put it on, but if I get sleepy, can we rain check the rest?”

“Of course.”