And who cares if they do? [ There’s a little bit of delight in his voice, there, from the idea of furniture shopping with Matt again, now in the way that he’d let himself daydream about a little most of the times before.

Then he laughs again, this time tinged with just a little bit of residual embarrassment. ]

Oh, I was struggling with the chapter all right, and too embarrassed to tell you what I was stumped on. But that’s because it was you. It seems like both of us were really good at the what, just not always the why.

[ His voice goes soft and fond, a reflection of the smile he’s got on his face. ]

I’m still in the stage where just having you there is enough of a special occasion, Matty. Surprise me?