“Lexi, I’m sorry they disapprove of you and your work,” he says in a low, gravelly tone. “They’re wrong, and it’s not fair to you.”
I breathe again and blurt out, “So, still up for a movie?”
“I’ll take any excuse to spend time with you. What kinds of movies do you like?”
“Uhm, you’re going to think I’m weird, but uhm, Action-Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction. I’m teamblow things up and make me laugh about it. Dani calls it disaster porn.”
“You have got to stop being so incredible. Favorite Science Fiction movie?” He’s leaning against the arm of the couch now, a little more relaxed again.
“You can’t ask a girl that! Probably Alien or The Martian. Yours?”
“Both excellent movies. I gotta go to classic Star Wars, though.” He narrows his eyes and asks, “Thoughts on Starship Troopers?”
“What? Why that movie?”
“I’ve learned a lot about people from their answer. My buddy Steve thinks it’s cinematic gold.”
“Okay, it’s fucking stupid, but decent when you’re high and just want to watch something dumb.”
“Right answer. Steve’s a fucking moron. So, do you have a movie collection or just streaming?”
I lead him to the cabinet where I keep my stash of DVDs. I like to display books, but DVDs are like strange relics from a long ago past—or just a few years ago. Thanks, streaming service. So, I keep those neatly tucked away.
He moves next to me, his hand on my hip, and part of me wonders if he’s actually reading the titles or using them as an excuse to be near me. I’m okay with either answer.
“Wait! Do you like horror?” I turn to face him, and the reality of how close he really is pushes my heart into overdrive. He nods, but I’m not sure he even knows what I just asked him. “H-Have you seen this one about the cute guy who ends up being some kind of crazy cannibal serial killer living a double life and selling people meat to the rich?”
He slowly shakes his head and for a moment, I think he’s about to kiss me.
“I, uhm, I think that’s become one of my favorites.” I’m stuttering, and the words keep leaving my mind before I can say them. “Or they just put one out about the Queen Mary, and we were right there today. Although I heard it was only good if you’re really baked.”
“Still got those edibles?”
“Yeah,” I squeak out.
“Both.”
“Both? Wait, you want to watch both movies?” I try hard to act surprised instead of giddy. I don’t think I should come across as too desperate, but deep down inside, it’s precisely what I am. “I mean, it’s just, it’s pretty late.”
“I’m a night owl, and like I said, I’ll take any excuse you give me to spend time with you.”
I take a minute to float back down to reality. I want to kiss him. I want him to kiss me. I would really like him to throw me on the couch and ravish me. But neither of us does anything but stare until we eventually sit beside each other awkwardly.
“Do, uhm, do you want popcorn or something to drink?” I ask, handing him my bag of edibles. I shouldn’t be this nervous, especially since I practically dared him to take one from my damn mouth earlier today. But that was before. He shakes his head with a smirk. “Good, cause I don’t actually have anything to eat.”
We’re a little over an hour into the movie when I try to shift and realize my foot has fallen asleep. I hiss at the pain from the pins and needles, and before I know what’s happening, he’s pulled my leg up into his lap and is giving me the most amazing foot massage I’ve ever gotten. I should be freaking out; I usually hate when people touch my feet.
“Oh, that’s not good. Don’t do it, girl,” he says to the TV, which I haven’t even looked at in the last two minutes since he picked up my foot. He glances over at me. “Can’t trust men. We’re the worst.”
I can’t even speak; I just nod at those blue ponds, staring at me and asking me to drown in them. After a few minutes, he puts my foot down and motions for me to turn my back toward him. As I turn, he takes my hips and pulls me backward so we’re closer. “It’s okay, Angel. I only bite if you’re into that.” He chuckles. “I swear I have got to be racking up some kind of record on terrible lines today.”
“I think it’s funny,” I giggle. It’s true; he’s had me giggling like a teenager all day. I didn’t know I still remembered how to giggle. Laugh, sure, you can fake those if you need to. But a giggle is real; it’s pure and innocent. It also feels good.
“Okay, take a deep breath and let it out slowly.”
I do as he says, and as I breathe out, his large hands on my shoulders squeeze my muscles, pushing down with his thumb. “Oh, my god.”
“Nice to know I still have the touch.” His warm breath tickles my neck, and I know he can feel my heart racing as he gently massages my shoulders. This man could take a knife, cut out my kidney, and sell it on the black market. I’m willing to take the risk so long as he keeps touching me. When he’s done, he lays back, pulls me down on his chest, and starts watching the movie again. “Do you want anything? We walked a lot today, and you might be dehydrated.”
