He looked up at her. “I bet you have another boyfriend by the fourth of July.”
She considered it. “Really? What are we playing for?”
Rob studied her for a moment. “If you don’t have a boyfriend by July, I’ll—” he took a deep breath, preparing himself, “watch a dance movie with you.”
“Deal.” Maizie laughed and shook his hand.
This was the kind of deal she would have made with Mack.
Why did you have to go Mack?
Her ice cream turned sour.
“Are you okay?” Rob’s concerned expression broke through her trance.
“Yeah,” she said. “Something just reminded me of Mack.”
A look of sorrow passed over Rob’s face.
“Come on. Let’s do something fun.” Rob grabbed her hand and pulled her up from her chair, ice cream in hand. They got in the truck and he started driving.
“What are we doing?” Maizie asked as he turned onto the freeway toward Richfield.
“They are showing Mack’s favorite Marvel movie tonight,” Rob said with a smile.
She let out a breath and placed a hand on his on top of the middle console. “This is perfect. Thank you, Rob.”
A blush crept up his cheeks. “Mack would want us to keep the tradition alive.”
The three of them had watched all of the Marvel movies together. Maizie only watched them because they were Mack’s favorite. And in return Mack had watched dancing movies with her and even placated her by trying some of the dance moves together. Oh, how she missed him.
Maizie smiled up at him. “I’m grateful to have a friend like you.”
Rob’s laugh came out high and stilted. “That’s me. A great friend.”
“Popcorn and licorice?” Maizie asked when they parked in front of the movie theater.
“And Root Beer.” Rob beamed and placed himself between her and the register.
“We can’t forget that,” Maizie said and pointed at something in front of them so she could slip a twenty-dollar bill into his pocket. He never let her pay for anything, and it was always a game to see if she could get him to take her money.
“Nice try.” Rob retrieved the bill from his pocket and stuffed it back into her pocket while ordering for them.
She had yet to actually win the game.
She took her drink and followed Rob into the darkened theater. Wishing, for not the first and not the last time, that Mack was here to enjoy it with her.
* * *
“Emi’s loving soccer.”Christian’s mom said when she called.
“Really?” He’d been doubtful when his mom mentioned signing her up a few weeks ago, but he was glad she wasn’t hating it.
“Yeah. She’s a natural. She even scored a goal in the last game.” His mom was practically glowing through the phone.
“Really? I should have been there.”
“No need. I got it on video. I recorded the whole game, so I’ll have to find it.”
