"Here," Cadence said, placing a small, carefully cut slice of mango cake on the table in front of her. "I made this for you. Don't you love it?"
He untied his apron slowly, folding it over the back of the chair with what he probably thought was casual grace.
Melanie stared at the plate for a long moment. Her fingers curled into her palms, nails digging into the skin. Then she looked up and gave him a thin, polite smile.
"Actually," she said quietly, "I used to like mango cake. Not anymore."
Cadence frowned and shook his head, almost like he was disappointed in a child. "Mel. I know you're angry with me. But how can you say that you don't like mango cake just because of me? That's not fair." He gestured vaguely at the kitchen behind him. "I've been controlling myself, haven't I? Just like I promised you. I didn't hit you. Not even once. Even though you've been... well, you've been pushing me a lot these past few days."