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“You’re a good daughter.”
“That’s what I’m telling myself.” She looked at Harrison. “Let me guess. You’re here to see It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Harrison laughed. “Nope. The new cartoon. Come with us, Reggie. It’ll be great.”
“Harrison, Reggie has her own plans.”
His son’s expression fell as he nodded slowly.
“I just thought it would be fun if she sat with us.” He paused, then brightened. “Reggie, would you like to pick the movie?”
“Good one,” Reggie said with a laugh. “I would very much like to sit with you, and I pick the cartoon.”
“Really?”
Toby looked at her. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. I can see It’s a Wonderful Life later. It’s not as if I haven’t seen it before.”
Harrison jumped up and down. “Yay! Dad, can I buy the tickets?”
Toby handed over his credit card, and Harrison raced toward the ticket machines.
Toby returned his attention to Reggie. “Thank you for indulging him.”
“I really don’t mind. It’ll be fun.”
“I can tell you haven’t been to a movie with a bunch of kids in a while. Fun isn’t the right word. Loud works. Very loud.”
“I will endure.”
He found himself wanting to offer to take her to the Christmas movie of her choice later in the week. Something with just the two of them. Like a date.
Only he didn’t date—not ever. He wouldn’t chance getting involved. That would mean putting Harrison at risk, and he never went there, not anymore.
Harrison returned with the tickets. They went inside and found seats. They’d barely finished taking off their coats when Noah and two other boys raced over.
“Come sit with us, Harrison,” Noah said eagerly. “We’re all the way up front.”
“Dad, can I?”
“What happened to watching the movie with Reggie?”
Harrison turned to her. “Please?”
“Cast aside for friends. I’m crushed.” She softened the words with a smile. “I’m fine with it if your dad is.”
Toby stood up so Harrison could slip past him and go with his friends. “Come find me as soon as the movie’s over.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad.”
The boys hurried to the front of the theater. He looked at Reggie.
“It’s a Wonderful Life might not have started yet.”
“I’m committed now.” Her smile faded. “Unless you’d rather not sit with me.”
“I appreciate the company. If I’m by myself, then I’m that creepy old guy, alone in a kid’s movie.”
