My pulse kicks up like it does every time I think about having Rika all to myself.
"Sir, are you asking me for company or is this some indecent proposal?" she says primly, but her mouth twitches and her pupils dilate.
I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "I have every intention of being completely and totally indecent with you."
"Noah!" She laughs and shoves me away. "How scandalous!"
"Positively scandalous," I repeat, grinning. "And very indecent."
She rolls her eyes, but she's smiling as she takes the popcorn bowl.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Wait." I catch her hand before she can escape. "There's a condition."
Her eyebrows lift. "Oh?"
"You have to give me your vote for the movie tonight."
Rika's mouth drops open in mock outrage. "That's cheating!"
"All's fair in love and movie night," I say solemnly.
"That's not how the saying goes."
"It is now."
She narrows her eyes at me, but I can see the laughter bubbling underneath. "Fine. I’ll side with you on movie choice. But I get to pick what we do later."
Heat floods my body at the implication. "Deal."
I seal it with another kiss, this one deeper, my hand cupping the back of her neck. Rika makes a soft, needy sound and pressescloser, and for a moment I forget we're supposed to be keeping this secret.
Then Zoe's voice carries through from the living room. "Are you guys making the popcorn or growing it from scratch?"
We break apart, both breathing hard, and Rika's face is bright red.
"Coming!" she calls back, her voice only slightly unsteady.
I grab the popcorn bowl and follow Rika into the living room where Zoe and Matthew are already sprawled on the couch, arguing over the blankets. The coffee table is covered with snacks: candy, chips, juice boxes for Matthew, and a bottle of wine Rika and I will share.
"Finally!" Zoe announces dramatically. "I was about to file a missing persons report."
"Sorry, sorry." I set the popcorn bowl down in the center. "Your mom was negotiating popcorn distribution rights."
Rika shoots me a look but doesn't contradict me.
Matthew immediately lunges for the bowl, and I intercept him gently, ruffling his green hair. "Easy, buddy. There's enough for everyone."
We settle in. Matthew sits on my left, Zoe on Rika's right, Rika in the middle, close enough that our legs touch under the blanket. The opening credits roll, and Matthew snuggles into my side with Mr. Gears tucked under his arm.
And I feel myself falling just a little more. I want this to be mine. I want Matthew's weight against me, I want to hear Zoe laughing at a joke on-screen.
It feels like a family.
Myfamily.
And God, I want it to be real.
