"I thought I'd make a little snack," she said pleasantly, slowly descending the stairs, taking care not to spill the bowl of popcorn or the glasses of iced tea on the tray. "I didn't know if you were hungry, but I'm kind of hungry myself."
"Thanks," said Dave, managing a smile for her. "Smells good."
"Oh, I know," she said, and then she closed her eyes for an instant and inhaled deeply. "I love the smell of hot buttered popcorn."
"Me, too," said Dave.
She brought the tray to him and he lifted the bowl of popcorn from it. He placed the bowl in his lap, then took a glass of iced tea in each hand.
Darlene leaned the empty tray against the side of the sofa, then sat next to him. She drew her legs up underneath her, snuggled against him; she accepted one of the glasses and sipped at t
