“You’re taking me to the movie theater to watch a thriller?”
“Yes.”
“Do you hate me or something?”
Nate chuckled.
“Now why would I hate you?”
Maddy scowled. “So it’s not enough to watch it on a perfectly normal TV where I can turn down the volume and squint my eyes when it gets too scary. No. You want me to actually watch it on a giant screen with an ear-splitting sound system that will make me want to run for the hills. Are you happy with yourself right now?”
Nate’s lips were tight as he tried to bite back his laughter.
“You’re adorable.”
Maddy preened a bit and then promptly sighed in resignation.
“Are you at least going to tell me what we’re watching?”
“Nope. It’s a surprise.”
A half-hour later, they were standing outside the movie theater.
Nate was the one to head towards the ticket office–since he didn’t want to give away what they would be watching–and Maddy headed for the snacks stand. She went for a simple popcorn and soda combo since she didn’t see herself having much appetite.
Nate, on the other hand, looked pretty pleased with himself.
The bastard.
Though he did gently propel her towards their seats with a hand on her back, so she guessed she could forgive him.
As they made themselves comfortable, the preview trailers started rolling in, full of action and comedy clips. Maddy had always loved watching the previews. The soundtracks always pumped her up for the actual movie.
As the lights went dark, the opening scene started playing and the beautiful music hit her ears, Maddy frowned hard.
“Um...” she turned to look at Nate, who looked smug for some reason. “Are you sure we’re in the right screening?”
Nate’s smug expression dissolved into one that made her heart speed up, its beat drumming in her ears. “I’m sure.”
“But this isn’t a thriller,” she almost whispered the words but Nate still heard her.
With an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer until he was cradling her in his warmth. “I know.”
However, Maddy couldn’t peel her eyes from his.
“This is a Christmas movie.”
“Mhm.”
“It’s sweet and romantic and not scary at all.”
Nate continued to watch her softly.
“Do you like it?”
Maddy shook her head, feeling the sting in her eyes.
“No, I don’t like it. I love it.” In fact, ‘The Holiday’ was one of her favorite movies.
