“Hey you,” I say as he reaches me and pulls me into his side, planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he answers breathlessly, walking us toward the usher. “I’m sorry I’m late.” I hand the usher our tickets, and he directs us to movie theater seven.
Taking my hand in his, Hayden brings our connection to his lips and gently kisses my knuckles, eyes trained on me, his smile boyish with so much charm.
“Well, no need to worry”—I pat my oversized purse that is like a red flag to a movie theater attendant looking for smugglers—“because I brought the candy and drinks.”
“Daredevil, I love it.”
We choose seats in the very middle, a few rows from the top. They’re great seats, and I’m surprised they’re still available.
Situated, Hayden doesn’t let go of my hand, not even when I bring out the candy and offer him a Junior Mint. And for some reason, he seems all shook up.
Leaning closer to him, the light of the pre-movie commercials casting a glow over us, I ask, “Are you okay? You seem kind of not yourself.”
“All good,” he whispers, squeezing my hand.
I don’t buy it.
“What happened? There’s something you’re not telling me, and I don’t like it.”
Sighing, he leans in close and says, “I went to the wrong movie theater and when I realized it, I was so worried you might think I stood you up, that I sped here, was pulled over by a cop—of course—and then spoke to the guy for longer than I wanted because he recognized me. I had to take a selfie, he excused me from the ticket, told me to slow down, and now I’m here.”
“Why does that frazzle you?”
“Because.” He kisses the back of my hand again. “I didn’t want you thinking I ditched you. This is your first real relationship, and I don’t want to set a bad precedent of what to expect.”
He’s so sweet, how could he ever make me think sourly of him?
Lifting up the armrest that divides our seats, I scoot in and drape his arm over my shoulder, snuggling in close. Reaching up, I kiss his jaw. Two pecks on his scruff, my lips lingering. “You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me. I grew up in a large household, so I can handle a lot.”
“I know.” He kisses my forehead and talks into my ear. “But it’s my job to set the bar high so no other man has a chance . . . and so thatlargehousehold doesn’t want my neck.”
His teasing tone makes me poke his rock-hard stomach, causing him to laugh into my ear.
Chills.
Crazy, wonderful chills spread over my body.
He makes me feel so . . . brand new. Like he’s awakened a part of me I’ve never known before. He’s introduced me to a personality I didn’t know existed within me. Someone who can be content, thrilled, exhilarated all at the same time. A woman who doesn’t necessarily depend on a man, but allows him to take care of her because hetreasuresher. Someone who doesn’t need to shed her clothes to get a man to like her.
He’s shown me my worth. But what about him? He makes it impossible to not feelsatisfied, adored.But what does he need from me? Am I giving him everything he needs? I don’t want him to feel as though I don’t give. But how?
* * *
“Iknow, I know.” Hayden is sitting on his couch, pulling on his hair, shirtless, shorts hanging low on his hips, with a boyish smile lighting up the room. “I miss you too, Mom, but I’ve been a little pre-occupied lately.”
Our game of Boggle was put on hold when Hayden’s parents called. Cringing, he apologetically said he had to answer since he hadn’t spoken to his parents in a while. It was cute watching him dodge their questions, sidestep his mom.
“What has been consuming my time?” He looks directly at me and smiles openly, not even hiding his happiness. “A girl.”
From his phone, there is a lot of chatter, like his mom is freaking out in excitement, but it’s muffled, and I can’t quite decipher what she’s saying.
“Yes, a girl. Is it serious?” Scratching the back of his neck, he answers, “Yeah, it is.” He pauses. “She lives in Binghamton, yeah, where I am right now.” Another pause. “Racer introduced us.” His smile grows; his eyes soften. “Incredibly beautiful, Mom. You will love her.” Licking his lips, he motions with his finger for me to come closer. I shake my head no. “Great personality. Super smart. She’s a nurse and she’s actually sitting right next to me. Want to talk to her?”
What?
Uh . . . no.
