“Thank you,” I managed out, “For everything,”
“It’s all good,” he made his way to the door but paused with his hand on the handle.
I wondered if he was going to turn around and walk over to me. I wondered if he would take my hand and kiss me the way he did in that motel room. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since it happened and I wonder if he has thought about it since then. I did say it was a mistake.
“I’ll be back by 7,”
“What?” I was confused as to why he was telling me when he would be back.
“You need time to process all this and I know you’d rather not do it in front of me,” without another word, he was gone.
I did need to process but thankfully I did not cry. A few drops of tears were all I was going to spend on Joseph Greene. Against my better judgment, I mainly sat in bed thinking about what had transpired betweenNathan and I.
I didn’t realize how long I sat there thinking about it until Nathan knocked on my door. He was still in his outfit from earlier and when he saw me he raised a brow.
“Are you ready or do I have to drag you out of bed?”
I was tempted to stay in bed and see whether he would actualize his threat but all the fight in me had worn out so I stood to my feet and allowed him lead me. I wanted to ask where we were going but I also liked the silence that settled around us.
It wasn’t awkward or heavy, it was calm and peaceful and some part of me just wanted to bask in it. My life is always on the go, it is full speed ahead and sometimes I just want things to slow down and relax.
We walked for a while before I saw the large theatre screen and the dozens of lawn chairs around it. Nathan led me to the snack booth where he paid for popcorn, chips and M&Ms. He also paid for the tickets all the while I was just staring at him.
He led us to some chairs off to the side. They were close enough that we could see the screen but far enough that we wouldn’t be disturbed by anyone else.
We took our seats and he placed the popcorn bowl between us but handed me the M&Ms. I thanked him and we sat in silence while everyone else took their seats. Chatter filled the small area but it was like we were in our own little bubble that was undisturbed.
“Do you remember the second time we met?” he asked and I wasn’t expecting the question so it took me longer than it should have for me to respond.
“That was when you poured your beer on me.”
“Technically, you bumped into me.” I opened my mouth to argue but he stopped me, “But that isn’t why I asked.”
“Why did you ask if it wasn’t to start an argument?”
“You were there with Olivia right?” I hummed, “How was the night before you bumped into me. You can just give me one word.”
“It was fun. I mean it isn’t really my thing but it was fun because she was there.”
“That’s what it smells like,” when I looked at him in confusion he explained, “I could describe every single thing that I can smell but you wouldn’t get the full experience. It’s the way the smells come together. It’s like a night out with friends that you were dragged to. It’s overwhelming and slightly annoying but it is also warm and somehow there’s nowhere else you would rather be.”
All my life I was never bothered by the fact that I couldn’t smell. It wasn’t like I had a sense of smell and lost it so there was never anything to miss. But for the first time ever, I wanted to experience things the way he did.
I didn’t think it was possible to feel nostalgic for something that you never had but here I was wishing that for once my nose would work and I would be able to experience things to the max just like everyone else.
I had to force the emotion down my throat as I spoke, “You don’t have to do this all the time you know.”
“I know,” he said before adding softly,“Mais le regard sur ton visage quand je le fais en vaut la peine.”
The lights went out and the movie started to play. Nathan reached under his chair and pulled out a blanket that I didn’t even realize was there and he placed it over my body.
“Aren’t you cold?” I asked but he waved me off, “We could share. We would have to pull our chairs closer but I would hate to have to drag you back to the inn if you get hypothermia.”
“Careful sunshine or I might think you care about me.”
“Hell would have to freeze over first.” I retorted but my words had no bite to them.
The blanket was on the smaller side so we had to sit right next to each other for it to cover us both. Our shoulders were brushing and so were our thighs but something about it just felt right and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
