I like the result. Still reads well. Hence this proposition:
May a setting be added to show the number of likes ON TOP of the heart sign, partially on top of it? If this setting is ON, the text is not shown, e.g. “5 likes”. Instead, it is only shown on mouse hover.
Unlikely to be a setting but maybe down the line a custom theme can do this. This change would be a violation of Fitts’s law. Try clicking on this hyperlink .
Keep in mind touch devices do not have “mouse over”