"I do more than say them—I mean them."
"Nicer things even than you used to say," she mused.
"And I mean them even more—if that is possible."
"You are spoiling me with compliments."
"I want to spoil you."
"Why?" she asked, a bit startled.
"Because it pleases me to do it—and," leaning a little closer, "because you deserve to be spoiled in the proper way."
"I didn't deserve it—once," she answered.
"You're a different woman from what you were—once, Stephanie."