“I had no idea it was so involved.” She nodded then broke apart in giggles. Leave it to Nolan to turn everything into a production.

“Well, obviously, that’s why I’m here to teach you!”

“Obviously,” she said, unable to hide her excitement and unwilling to even try. Nolan’s enthusiasm was infectious, and she was eating it right up.

After a bit more rummaging, he grabbed the bags and headed for the sliding glass door.

Harmony rushed forward to open it for him and, in short order, they had a modest fire flickering before them. Virginia had also lent them two folded camping chairs to use for this backyard adventure. It seemed that woman was prepared for any eventuality, and Harmony felt grateful for it and to her.

She sat now with her knees pressed together and the roast stick dangling loosely from one hand.

“Are you ready?” Nolan’s eyes shone brighter than the fire. She wondered if this whole thing was providing him with the chance to relive one of his favorite firsts as well.

She nodded and pointed her stick toward the sky. “Marshmallow me up, baby.”

And although Harmony was very careful with how she positioned her stick, her marshmallow broke into flames almost immediately after setting it near the fire.

“Whoa!” Nolan cried, blowing it out for her and unwrapping a package of graham crackers as quickly as his fingers would allow. “That’s okay! The burnt bits add flavor,” he told her as he pressed a graham cracker square on either side of the marshmallow and pulled it off her stick.

Harmony unwrapped the waiting Hershey bar, added a slab of chocolate, and then took a giant, appreciative bite. “How can something so simple be so wonderful?” she mumbled around her very large, very delicious mouthful.

“That’s the beauty of the s’mores, and of life, too,” he said with a goofy grin. “Okay, so you’ve had the classic. Now you need to have the alternate. The only difference is that you make it with a peanut butter cup instead of pure chocolate.”

“Sign me up for one of those,” she said eagerly, relieved she’d chosen not to eat much at the potluck since she now planned to dine on s’mores until her stomach couldn’t take it anymore.

The alternate s’mores were just as delicious as the originals. Harmony was glad Nolan had decided that making desserts over the fire would be the perfect way to end their special day together. This was one first she regretted not having much, much earlier in life.

“Ready for the original? It’s my own recipe that I just developed today, actually.” He looked so excited she could hardly stand it. Had he always been this adorable, or did her newfound trust add an extra layer of attraction that hadn’t been there before?

“Ooh,” she gushed, enjoying herself immensely. “What’s in it? If it’s as good as the others, then I’m in.”

“It’s definitely just as good,” Nolan promised. “It’s also totally different.”