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He slowed down almost theatrically.

“Not that slowly.”

“You’re difficult to please.”

“I’m trying to prevent a flour explosion.”

“We’ve already had one.”

She tried to stir, and the dough became thick. Noah reached for the bowl. “Give it to me.”

“I can do it.”

“I know. Give it to me anyway.” He stirred while she added the remaining flour.

Then Claire opened the expensive chocolate chips and ate one. Or two. Noah caught her.

“Those are for the cookies.”

“They’re for me.”

“We bought them specifically for the cookies.”

She ate another. “You should have bought more.”

He reached for one. Claire pulled the bag away. “Those are for the cookies.”

“That rule changed quickly.”

Then they both snacked on a few while pretending they were not.

Noah added the chocolate chips.

“That’s enough,” Claire said.

Noah added another handful.

“Noah.”

“It smelled right.”

“That excuse does not work twice.”

“Fine, it felt right.”

“Baking is not a feeling.”

“I know, I know, it’s a science.” He looked at her, and a smile spread across his face. “You’re cute when you’re bossy.”

Claire’s mouth twitched. “Focus.”

Claire tried to make every cookie the same size. Noah made one noticeably larger.

“Why is that one enormous?” she asked him.

“That one’s mine.”

“That isn’t how shared cookies work.”