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“We can enjoy the movie and have heat.”
“There’s a hot tub in my apartment we can check out later.”
“That would be nice.” I dumped the candy on a table we’d been using in the back of the room for our things. “I’m going to grab some sodas.”
Aiden nodded. “The projector equipment isn’t in, so I brought down the portable one we use in the great room. I’ll get the movie running. Any requests?”
I thought about it for a few seconds. “Something holiday related. I could go for a Christmas movie.”
“One Christmas movie coming up.” Aiden flashed me a grin, and I wondered if I’d be able to keep my hands to myself while the movie played.
I went upstairs and stuck my head in the fridge for a few seconds, trying to cool my overheated body.
There was a handsome man waiting for me downstairs. He hurt me, but I didn’t see any traces of that guy now. He was steady and true, and it made me wonder if I could let go and enjoy myself with him for one night.
I knew I was being foolish, thinking I could do anything with Aiden and keep my heart separate, but I wanted him too much to stay away from him.
I grabbed a couple of sodas. In the theater, the opening credits for Miracle on 34th Street were paused on the screen. There was a small popcorn maker on the table now.
“Did you buy this recently?” I asked him, not remembering having seen it before.
“I thought it would be good for nights when we don’t want to use the concession stand.”
Except it wasn’t big enough for the Monroe family much less a packed theater. What was he thinking when he purchased it? That he’d be using this for a date night with someone else, or was he thinking about me? “Who did you intend to use it with?”
“I’m not seeing anyone if that’s what you’re thinking about,” Aiden said as he scooped kernels and dropped them into the machine.
My shoulders tensed. “I wasn’t.”
Aiden assessed me for a second before pouring the butter. “I thought we could use it when we tested the projector.”
He’d bought the candy and the popcorn machine for us to spend this time together. It was like reenacting our dates as kids. Except this time, we were the only two people in the theater. “Are you ready to watch? I have a remote for the projector.”
“Well, that’s handy.” I grabbed the sodas and candy and followed him down the aisle to the middle of the theater.
“Does this work?” Aiden asked.
“This is perfect.” We sat next to each other, arranging our food on our laps. “Should we add cup holders? Or will that not look right with the old chairs?”
“People expect it. No matter the age of the theater.”
He hit Play on the movie, and we settled back, eating popcorn out of one bowl. Each time our fingers brushed, I couldn’t help but sneak a peek at his face. Usually, he was focused on the screen, but every once in a while, he winked at me.
When we’d eaten our fill of popcorn, we moved onto the Junior Mints. “This tastes like our teen years, if that makes sense.”
Aiden chuckled. “You know what it reminds me of?”
“No. What?” I asked despite my better judgment.
He set the box of candy and my soda on the ground, and he cupped my face. “It reminds me of how you used to taste like popcorn, butter, and mint when we kissed.”
I sucked in a breath. Was he going to kiss me?
His eyes heated. “If you don’t want me to kiss you, tell me now.”
I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them again, I said, “Do it.”
He lowered his lips to mine, and his tongue swept into my mouth. His hand moved from my chin to my hair, where his fingers tangled in the strands.
