“And you can include audio recordings, if you like, by pressing…”
In the lobby, we find a long bench and lay my mother down.
“Stay here, I’ll go find help.”
I nod, fanning her with a program.
A few minutes later, she stirs, fluttering her eyes open as her hands flail weakly.
“Oh,” she murmurs, her voice faint. “I’m so embarrassed!”
“Don’t be,” I say, still fanning her. “You probably just got overheated.”
“Not that!” she snaps, swatting away the makeshift fan. “That!” She jerks a hand toward the doors, her face pale with outrage. “Your brother. What on earth is he thinking?”
I feel my cheeks heat up, but I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. “I guess he’s looking to capitalize on the dating market.”
“Call me a cab, Molly,” she demands, pushing herself onto shaky feet and clutching at her pearls. “I’m going home. I won’tcondone that… the… your brother! What will your father think when I tell him? What will the school board? My goodness!”
I press my lips together, trying my absolute hardest not to laugh. Considering how much Hendrix donates to the school each year to make sure Dad and Mum are looked after, I have no doubt they won’t care.
Mother flaps her hands again, clutching at her neck. “I mean, my goodness, Molly. There were penises on the big screen. Did no one think to warn us?”
Don’t laugh, don’t laugh, don’t laugh, don’t?—
When the cab arrives, I help her into the backseat, closing the door behind her. I wave as the car merges into traffic, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Well,” a familiar voice drawls behind me, “tonight has certainly been… interesting.”
I turn to see Josh leaning against the doorway, his grin devilish. He looks ridiculously handsome in his suit, and that wicked smile of his is both familiar and unsettling in a way that makes my stomach flip.
A strange warmth bubbles up inside me, a tingling sensation I haven’t felt in a very long time. I stubbornly push it down.
“Would you say…” I pause, struggling to get the word out without laughing. “Stimulating?”
We stare at each other for a beat before bursting out into uncontrollable laughter.
I double over, clutching my stomach as tears roll down my cheeks. “Oh God. The look on her face,” I gasp, wiping at my eyes. “What is he thinking?”
“Did you see your aunt?” Josh asks, trying to catch his breath. “She was nodding along like it’s the best idea she’s ever heard.”
I throw my head back, laughing even harder. Aunt Violet probablydoesthink it’s genius—she’s been married and divorced more times than Elizabeth Taylor.
We finally pull ourselves together, but the laughter leaves a warm buzz in my chest, and I can’t help but smile as Josh looks at me, his eyes still sparkling with amusement.
“This night will definitely be one for the books.”
Josh smirks, his voice teasing. “And we’re only halfway through. Should we return?” He holds out his arm and I slide my hand into the crook.
“Yeah, I really want to see what comes next.”
“That’s what she said.”
I groan, rolling my eyes.
Walking back into the room, I realize almost immediately that I’ve made a huge mistake.
“Is that—?” I freeze mid-step.
