Page 98
We must have caught a stray patch of snow or something, because the car skidded a sliver. A split-second later, he straightened us. I swallowed, mouth bone dry, at the way his fingers splayed wide and bit into the wheel, while I fought to keep my thoughts from straying into entirely inappropriate territory.
To my relief, he turned up the music, and my head tipped back in the seat, a familiar comfort washing over me as I stole little glimpses of him handling the car with enviable ease, curve after curve.
His hand draped lazily on the wheel as the scattering of lights grew thicker, telling me we were approaching the city.
His eyes slid sideways, catching me looking, and his mouth curved into a half-smirk that turned my ears scarlet again.
Chapter twenty-nine
Mia
When the large neon-red letters spelling out “Cinema” signalled our arrival and the roar of the engine died down, my hand automatically moved to open my door.
He clicked his tongue. “Wait.”
With a sideways glance, he got out and opened it himself.
I stared at his outstretched palm and his unwavering gaze on mine, and a mix of emotions flooded me, each more dizzying than the last.
“Thanks,” I murmured and placed my hand onto his warm one, feeling like the world was shifting under my feet.
The scent of fresh, buttery popcorn hit me first, making my mouth water at once. A large screen hung above us, flashing with the movies playing tonight.
We followed the narrow patterned rug to the snack area, where the sticky sweetness of spilled cola was stronger.
“Bucket or barrel?” he asked, grinning.
“Bucket is fine,” I chuckled.
Two boxes of popcorn and two soft drinks hit the counter, and of course I dug my heels in, plucking out my wallet and fully intent on fighting him on it.
He rolled his eyes, though the corner of his mouth twitched. I expected him to dismiss me or cleverly say he’d somehow paid in advance from the car, but no.
“Is it that important to you?” He stepped closer and waited until I met his gaze.
His earnest, curious expression nearly buckled my knees, but I forced myself to nod. He searched my face for a few heartbeats, and my chin tipped up as I braced for an argument, but he only retreated and held up his hands in mock surrender.
“All right. Thanks for treating me,” he said, light and playful.
Before I could blink the shock from my lashes, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, setting my entire face on fire. I mumbled a “you’re welcome” and rummaged in my wallet, buying for time.
What’s going on with him?
Little bulbs framed the posters lining the dark red walls of the hallway, and neon signs were peppered throughout, each indicating a different screening room.
The same carpet muffled our footsteps as we shuffled towards the glowing number seven, snacks in tow. Warm lights spilled from the ceiling and from along the walls, making it easy to navigate the red velvet maze crowded with large groups of friends, couples, and lone movie enthusiasts alike.
The padded chairs groaned and sank comfortably under us as we settled in and still, my heart hadn’t stopped doing somersaults in my chest.
His attention slid sideways to me as he turned and arched in so I could hear him through the excited buzz around us.
“Is everything okay? You seem… tense.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, shifting in my seat.
“I’m… a little nervous,” I admitted, a touch testy, like saying it was a defeat of sorts.
“Hey,” he murmured, voice kicking up goose pimples where it brushed the side of my neck, “if it’s too scary, we can leave.”
