Krem nodded, picking up his bottle again and taking a sip of it to match hers. He let Adaline lead him to her couch and sat with her, near enough so that they were close but without crowding her space unnecessarily. He could smell her fragrance from this distance, or perhaps her soap; either way, it was clean and fresh and pleasant. His fingers itched to gently push her hair back behind her ear, but he contained himself, holding his beer bottle with both hands.

He smiled at her softly. "I won't be offended, you know. If you change your mind after tonight, about seeing me again. I might even still make you lemon cake."