“And what do you have going on in yours?”
“Not sure I should say yet. Maybe after the fourth Christmas movie I watch with you.”
I laugh. “Four whole movies, huh?”
“Yup. I’m upping my movie-explaining game today, and I’m here to prove how much better I am than that damn robot.”
He doesn’t have to prove anything. It doesn’t matter how badly he describes things, he’ll still be my preferred choice. That robot doesn’t make me feel all giddy inside or have me thinking about kissing another person for days on end. “Okay. Let’s go, then. Drum roll please.”
He makes a beat with his mouth and a smile cracks my lips. “The movie today will be . . . ahem . . .” I pretend to clear my throat. “Elf.”
“Oh, and here I thought it was going to beIt’s a Wonderful Lifeor another classic.”
“Hey,Elfis a good movie.”
“If you say so.”
“Does this mean you’ve seen it?”
He huffs a breath. “Kind of.”
“Ah, one of those movies someone you know had on in the background some day long ago.”
He laughs. “Something like that.”
“Want me to pick another?”
“No. I want you to pick what you want, and you did. This is your vacation and I’m merely here to help you enjoy it more.”
“Didn’t know that was part of the app services.”
“It is now. At least whenever it’s taking place between me and you.”
My heart flutters. He’s blatantly flirting. There’s no mistaking that. Is that allowed on here? Is this an ongoing occurrence for him? This could be just him as a person. Travis sometimes flirted while saying he didn’t mean to. Like with our neighbor. Gosh, I was so stupid. This isn’t Travis, though. No. Far from it. This is someone who makes me feel like I did before. Like I’m capable and not some burden.
“Ah, so I get special treatment?”
“Yes, and you never know, you could end up making me like this movie.”
“You think the people around you make a difference?”
“I do.”
“Okay. I’ll take that challenge.”
I get the movie going and pause it ten minutes in when I grow thirsty. We laugh, exchanging jokes as I walk to the fridge. I’m about to grab a bottle of water because it’s easy and then Rafael asks me if I ever had Mexican hot chocolate before.
“No. Is it any good?”
“The best. Has a cinnamon taste, and it’s a bit richer than the regular kind.”
“I’ll have to try it.”
“Yeah. You definitely should,” he says swiftly.
“And now I want hot chocolate, but all I have is the Walmart brand for the Keurig.”
“Better than nothing,” he quips, and I turn the camera toward the counter as I open the drawer in front of the machine.
