“The foot-stomping was an accident,” I say. “Promise me you’ll give her a chance. All you have to do is ask her to marry you and you get your happy ending! Don’t you want your happy ending?”

He hesitates.

“Hi, guys.” Beauty appears at the door to the kitchen. “I picked out a book for you, Abby. I have it in the other room.”

“Oh, thanks,” I say.

“I picked out one for you, too, Mr. Beast,” Beauty says.

Mr. Beast looks up in surprise. “You did?”

“I know you said you’re not much of a reader, but in this book, the main character is a chef and there are recipes sprinkled throughout the book. And some magic.” She blushes. “You don’t have to read it if you don’t want to. But I was looking for books for Jonah, and I thought you might enjoy this one.”

Mr. Beast also blushes. “Thank you,” he says.

“Isn’t she thoughtful?” I say. “And sweet! So sweet!”

“Very thoughtful,” he says.

“Did you give a book to Jonah?” I ask.

Beauty nods proudly. “I did. It’s called Blue. It’s about a boy and a crocodile.”

“That sounds perfect for him,” I say. “Is he reading it?”

“He said it looked boring but a deal’s a deal and he promised to try it.” She grins. “He’s been reading for at least forty minutes now.”

“He has?” I’m shocked. Jonah never sits still and reads. Wow.

“Do you need help?” Beauty asks us.

“No, we’re good,” Mr. Beast says. “It will be ready in a few minutes. We’ll come get you. Thank you again for the book.”

She smiles. “You’re welcome.”

“See?” I say after Beauty leaves. “I told you she likes you!”

He shrugs, but I can see he’s also smiling.

When our stir-fry is ready, we bring the food out to the table.

I pop my head into the living room, where Jonah and Beauty are both reading books on the sofa. “Jonah, Beauty, lunch is ready.”

Neither of them looks up.

“Hey, Jonah?”

No response.

“Jonah?”

He turns a page. “Hmm?”

“Lunch!”

He nods.

“Are you coming?”

He nods.

“We made chicken stir-fry.”

He nods again.

“It’s chicken and ketchup stir-fry,” I say to get his attention.

“Uh-huh.”

“With ketchup ice cream.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Dipped in ketchup.”

No response.

“Jonah!” I call out. “I guess you like the book?”

He looks up for a second and then looks back down. “I do! I really do! But I only have two chapters left! Can I read at the table?”

“Sure,” I say, surprised.

He brings his book to the table and almost trips as he walks.

Beauty sets down her book and joins us.

Jonah sits in his seat and continues to read.

“This is delicious,” Beauty says, taking a bite of chicken stir-fry. “Mr. Beast, you’re really a terrific chef.”