He read the instructions and turned on the faucet.
“I didn’t tell you to do that,” Casey said.
“Oh.” He paused. “Am I doing this right?”
“You missed a step. Come here.”
He walked toward her.
Casey pulled him close, wrapped her legs around him, kissed him once, then
whispered, “You won’t get another until I determine if the pancakes are good.”
“This is my first time, you know,” William told her.
Casey laughed.
“Now, add two cups of water to the mix.”
Casey swatted him playfully as he turned. He jumped, grinning, then filled the cup
with water and returned to the bowl.
Casey turned her head away, not acknowledging him. William put on his best frown.
Casey glanced at him from the corner of her eye and giggled.
“You really want that kiss,” she teased.
“I wouldn't be making pancakes if I didn't,” William said.
William finished stirring the mix and waited for approval. Casey inspected it and
shook her head. “Too lumpy. Try again.”
William stirred the mix for another few minutes. She nodded, apparently satisfied
this time. He placed the bowl on the counter to wait for Casey's next instructions.
“We probably should’ve turned on the stove and heated the pan first,” she said,
glancing at the back of the box. “Medium heat, Will.”
William switched on the wrong burner. He didn’t want Casey to think he did it
accidentally so he moved the pan to that burner.
“So now we wait,” Casey informed him. “You're doing a pretty good job so far.”