So painful because it won’t last.
“Let’s go inside and watch a movie,” he suggests.
I nod, fighting to rein in my emotion.
He releases me and checks to make sure the fire is fully out.
Once we’re back inside, we make popcorn and settle onto the sectional with a puffy blanket over us.
I glance at him. “What’re we watching?”
“Only the greatest Christmas movie ever.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“Yeah, that’s a good one, but not the best.”
He furrows his brow. “What? Everyone knows it’s the best.”
“Not hardly.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“An Affair to Remember.”
He makes a face. “Never heard of it.”
I turn to him. “What? Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr. It’s the best! So touching. I’m always bawling by the end.”
“Yep, same with me inIt’s a Wonderful Life. When that Christmas branch jingles and Zuzu says, ‘Teacher says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,’ I can’t hold back the tears.”
“That is a good part. I also like where Clarence says, ‘See, George, you had a wonderful life.’”
“Actually, he says, ‘See George, youreallyhad a wonderful life.’”
Laughter circles my throat. “Okay, I stand corrected.Really.”
“What’s so great aboutAn Affair to Remember?”
“It’s the greatest love story ever! There’s too much to tell, you’ll have to watch it.”
“Okay? Double feature?”
A smile plays on my lips. “Double feature it is. I’ll even let you watchIt’s a Wonderful Lifefirst.”
“How generous of you.”
“Yep, we’ll save the best for last.” I throw him a grin.
He laughs. “Alright. I’m game.”
His phone rings. I immediately tense, wondering if it’s Zoe.
He pulls it from his front pocket and frowns.
“Zoe?”
