“Sal,” Janice chided.
“What? You never sucked the batter off a spoon?”
“That’s a salmonella risk.” I laid my elbow on the armrest, accidentally brushing his sleeve, and smiled. “I’m not saying I don’t do it, but–”
“See?” He beamed, gesturing. “Mashed potatoes are buttery, garlic fluff meant to be sucked up like ice cream.” He mimed slurping up the contents of a bowl, his tongue flapping about.
Why did he think we needed a visual representation of how to eat ice cream? I chuckled, covering my face. The edge of my fingertips tingled. He was so silly. So easy.
“You’re nasty,” Ash teased.
He raised his chin. “I don’t hear Janice complaining.”
Ash and I scoffed. He froze, then widened his eyes at me in the dimming lights. “I didn’t mean sexually. I was just saying–”
“Previews are starting.” Janice elbowed him in the side.
“Sorry.” He grunted and angled over the armrest.
Why didn’t they lift that? He’d be sore if he stayed that way for an hour and a half.
“It’s fine,” I whispered, nudging his arm.
Janice shot me a sharp look. No talking, right. I adjusted my cap and exchanged a side-eye with Ash.
She arched her brow as if to say, ‘See what I mean?’
I nodded. ‘Yes, unfortunately.’
Those two were not on the same frequency.
The movie wasn’t a masterpiece by any means, but it was sweet and funny, which was all it needed to be.
“I’m worthy of love,” the main female lead insisted.
That part wasn’t so funny. But she messed up, figured it out, and still found her happy ending. If only life was that easy. Input effort, output healthy relationships.
I shuffled out with our group as they chatted about the movie. Would I ever see them again once I quit? Maybe I should join more online gamesand make friends that way. But that could be such a time–and sometimes money–suck. Plus, once I stopped playing, it wasn’t the same with my guild or whoever. And guys could still be weird about it.
Sal gasped and took off towards the spider mech. “Oh my god, have you seen this thing? It’s so frickin’ cool. We’ve gotta take a picture.”
“No.” Janice chuckled, crossing her arms. “That’s not going on my Must Love Mimi post.”
“Ash, Zero, please?” He pressed his hands together.
She jerked her head at me. “She’s not into spiders. I’ll come in with you.”
Janice sighed and aimed her phone.
Ash stayed stationary, widening her eyes as if frozen in the hopes the widow wouldn’t notice her. Sal mimed running away, mugging the camera in fear, then glee.
What the hell was he doing? I smiled and shook my head. Maybe it wouldn’t kill me to have one photo of my failure as enjoyed by some friends. I pretended to check my phone, but opened the camera app instead. Was it okay to take a pic?
My hands shook as I raised the phone to get a better angle.
“Hey.” Ash nudged Sal and pointed at me.
My lip twitched up. “Say ‘arachnid.’”
