Page 16 of The Pitcher’s Proposal

A few blocks later, we pass a tiny theater with an old marquee advertising classic movies. I slow when I read tonight’s title. “Fun. They’re playing The Princess Bride.”

“Is it good?” Brendan asks. “I’ve never seen it.”

I look at him. “Seriously?”

He checks the showtime posted beside the door. “Shit. It started five minutes ago.”

“So?”

“So we’re already missing it.” He reaches for the door. “We’d better hurry.”

I laugh and follow him inside. By the time we’re slipping into two seats near the back of the dark theater, Brendan’s hand has found mine.

I let him keep it.

6

BRENDAN

Somewhere in the middle of the movie, Dakota starts laughing and leans into me, and I know I’m fucked.

I’ve wanted this woman since February. I’ve spent eight months looking for her when I walk into a room, finding excuses to talk to her, asking her out even when I knew she was going to turn me down.

I already knew one date wasn’t going to satisfy me. But I didn’t know how much worse I’d have it for her once I had her beside me.

Tonight has given me a few hours of Dakota without work between us. Now I want this every day. Dinner together after a long day. Her stuff at my apartment. Mine at hers. Waking up beside her and knowing I’ll get to do it again the next morning. All the ordinary shit I haven’t let myself think too hard about because, until tonight, getting her to agree to one goddamn date was challenge enough.

By the time the credits roll, I’m considering every possible excuse to keep this night going.

We follow the small crowd toward the exit while Dakota informs me that my opinion of the movie is wrong. Apparently The Princess Bride is flawless, and saying the sword fights are better than the romance has her passionately arguing the opposite.

“You need to watch it again,” she tells me as we step outside. “Clearly you weren’t paying enough attention.”

“I was distracted.”

She glances at me while buttoning her coat. “By what?”

“You really want me to answer that?”

Her cheeks turn pink, but she smiles as she looks away.

I take her hand as we start down the sidewalk. The idea of watching the movie again has already put another picture in my head. Dakota on my couch with her curvy legs across my lap. Me knowing exactly how she likes her popcorn because I’ve made it for her a hundred times. Her falling asleep halfway through and me carrying her to bed.

It’s after ten now. We head back toward where we met earlier, taking the long way without either of us suggesting it. We turn onto a quieter street lined with apartment buildings and closed shops.

Dakota tips her head back as we approach one of the taller buildings, studying the upper floors. “Wow. I’d love to live there.”

I start laughing.

She looks at me. “Why is that funny?”

“Tell me more.”

She narrows her eyes but keeps going. “I’d get the highest apartment I could afford, which would probably mean I’d have to drain my savings account and sell all my furniture. I’d sleep on an air mattress, but at least I’d have a view.”

I nod toward the building. “You know, that’s where I live.”

Dakota stops walking. “No.”