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He fished around in the bag and came out with an orange bag. “You’d better believe it.”

“You know we can’t have sex after this date,” I said.

“This isn’t a date,” he said. “It’s a platonic work event. Like I said: keep your hands to yourself, ma’am. And stop ruining the movie! The beginning is important.”

I propped my feet up on the seats in front of me, cracked open my soda, and smiled as we watched the black-and-white film in happy silence.

28

Cole

I was sitting at a coffee shop, waiting for my friend to arrive, when Rhett sent a group text to me and June.

What now?I thought while opening my phone.

Rhett: Hey captain, did you hear about the extremely sweet movie date I took June on?

Me: Movie date? What are you, sixteen?

Rhett: I’ve got the sexual stamina of a sixteen-year-old, old man.

Me: I’m only three years older than you.

Rhett: Which is basically ancient. How’s that knee treating you?

June: Play nice, you two. You’re both young, fit athletes.

Me: Don’t encourage him. His ego’s already too inflated. What movie did you see?

Rhett: Young Frankenstein. I had Danny the A/V guy play it on the screen in the arena. It was EXTREMELY sweet.

Me: You already said that.

Rhett: It was worth mentioning twice. That’s how sweet it was.

June: It was indeed a very sweet date. Complete with snacks.

June: In fact, it was almost as good as the dinner date you took me on.

Rhett: HEY WAIT NO

Me: Say more things about how great our date was!

June: I especially liked that it was at a restaurant. And not at work.

Me: That was also my favorite part. Going out to eat an adult dinner, at an adult table.

Rhett: I don’t like this game anymore.

Me: Surprise surprise, Rhett Lawson can dish it out but can’t take it.

Rhett: My ego is destroyed. I’m going to retire and become a bartender back in Savannah, where they appreciate me.

June: Enough teasing. You’re not allowed to leave the team.

Rhett: Because you would miss my rugged good looks and irresistible charm?

June: No, because you’re a lot better than James, the second line right wing.