Lukas's stomach chose that moment to growl.
Not a polite, easy-to-ignore rumble. A long, demanding, fully committed announcement that had no interest in being subtle about itself.
They both looked down at it.
Melody pressed her lips together for exactly one second before the laugh came out of her mouth, bright and unrestrained.
She bent slightly at the waist, her arms gripping her stomach. It was a genuinely beautiful sound, and it was entirely at his expense. But he didn't mind.
"I wish there was a restaurant out here somewhere," he said, looking around at the dark forest with complete seriousness. "Just a little place between the trees. Somewhere we could sit down and have a little meal. Now that's a business idea."
Melody sighed, the laugh fading into something wistful. "That would have been perfect." She paused. "Especially if it was a steakhouse."
Lukas looked at her. "You really like steak, huh."
She nodded. Not once. Several times, with full commitment.
