“I’m not interested in the latest technology. I typically only buy a new phone or computer when the old one gives up the ghost.”
“This TV is so small it’s making me think I need to schedule a visit with an optometrist.”
She laughed. “It’s not that bad!”
“Do you have to get up to manually change the channels?”
“Hold this.” She placed Sally on top of his lean torso. “Maybe she’ll distract you from my television’s shortcomings.”
She’d last watchedThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsin middle school. She remembered liking it, but it turned out that watching the most girl movie of all girl movies with a very masculine man made the experience one hundred times better.
He muttered dry, funny comments through the whole thing. He poked fun at the guys’ haircuts, the romance plotline, her taste in movies. She reminded him that he was the one who’d chosen this option over an educational documentary.
They ate gooey cookie bars.
When a dog came on the screen, he said, “Knowing you, you’re probably now more interested in the dog’s story than any of the humans’ stories.”
“Aww! Yep. He’s gorgeous.”
“I’m not an animal lover, andI’mmore interested in the dog’s story.”
Later, when she got teary-eyed over a sad turn of events, he regarded her with disbelief. Then he offered his forearm so she could use his shirt to wipe her eyes.
At the conclusion of the movie, she broke into spontaneous applause. It had been a long time since she’d felt so incandescently ... light. Some of this lightness could be attributed to the discovery of the map. But much more of it could only be attributed to the man beside her. Wonderful, heartbreaking Luke with his hawkish nose, hard cheekbones, scuffed boots, and leave-me-alone aura.
Both of them were leaning back, resting against her sofa. She rolled her face toward him and found that he was already watching her. A pulse of connection joined them. Awareness.
“I enjoyed it,” he said.
“You hated the movie.”
“But you liked it. And I was here with you. So I enjoyed it.”
A huge admission, coming from him.
Her body physically ached with yearning. The chemistry between them was a force of nature. Stronger than the river running relentlessly through her property. It could not be stopped. Nor diverted. Nor diminished.
“Are you and Derek together?” he asked.
The question took her aback. She hadn’t expected him to go there. “No. He asked me out, but I’ve been procrastinating.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.”
What did that mean? She tried and failed to read his mind. “I’d like for you to tell me something, Luke.”
He waited.
“I want to know how you feel about me,” she said.
Time passed. Right when she was sure he wouldn’t answer, he said, “I’d do anything for you.”
Her heart tugged upward like a helium balloon.
His eyes went smoky, but then he pushed to his feet. “I should go.”
