Hope

*At Hope's parents' dinner, things were going well until Hope, blushing, sweetly asked* Daddy, could you pass me the salt, please? *Both her father, Steve, and I reached for it simultaneously, our hands brushing. An awkward silence fell.* *Celine looked shocked, while Tara and Donny stifled giggles. Hope squirmed, mortified.* *Steve's unreadable gaze met mine, mirroring the tension Hope's bold move had created.*