Lex nods. “Somewhere you’ve been wanting to try.”
“Oh, is it the fancy-as-hell Mexican place?!”
He doesn’t answer, but his smile fades, and something ticks in his jaw.Oh, no…
“I’ll pretend I didn’t guess,” I offer sheepishly.
“Can we just share a small popcorn? And something to drink,” I say.
“There’s champagne waiting for us in the room,” Lex explains.
“Then that’s perfect.”
“If you will follow me,” the old man says once we have our small popcorn, before leading us to the auditorium. It’s as beautifully ornamented as the lobby, and just as empty. Lex really went all out and booked the whole place for us, didn’t he? On the stage, the red curtains are closed and, before it, a large white screen.
The man leads us to two seats in the first row of the VIP area, where two tables have been set on each side. One holds a bottle of champagne in a bucket full of ice, the other one, an enormous bouquet of bright-colored tulips. I look up at Lex, positively shocked by how incredible everything is.
Jesus fucking Christ.This man can have all of me after this. Every part, even my ass if he wants. I don’t care. I’ll endure the pain.
We sit down in the comfortable armchairs, and the man opens the champagne before pouring us two glasses. Once we have them, he leaves us alone to stand at the end of our row, waiting.
“To my favorite date in American history,” Lex offers as a toast, presenting his glass to me.
“You’re insane,” I whisper after I’ve tapped mine to his. “This is way too much.”
“I had a lot of free time on my hands.”
“Again, we need to find you a hobby that isn’t me.”
I take a sip, the fine bubbles tickling my tongue. The lanterns dim around us, plunging us into semi-darkness. Then a projector starts, and the white screen comes to life.
I’ve seen this movie so many times, I recognize it as soon as the first frame starts. “Are you serious?!” I exclaim, turning to Lex. “Toy Story?”
“I figured you didn’t get to see it in the theaters, since it came out before you were born.”
“Well, you were right.”
“This is an original reel, from ninety-five. I thought digital would ruin the idea.”
“You’re insane,” I say again, already absorbed by the story. Lex grabs my hand and settles it on his lap, tangled in his.
Oh, this is definitely my favorite birthday ever. Though I wish my favorite movie wereCitizen Kaneor something, because renting out such an incredible place to watch a Pixar movie feels a little sacrilegious.
At some point during the movie, shortly after Woody and Buzz meet, Lex produces a flat package from somewhere and hands it to me. It’s neatly gift-wrapped, and it instantly claims my attention.
While he holds my glass for me, I open it. There’s just enough light to make it out. It’s a sketch of a scene we just saw, professionally framed.
“Is this… What is this?”
“It’s from the storyboard.”
“The storyboard?”
“They draw every frame before making a movie, to—”
“I know what a storyboard is, Alexander. This is from…Thismovie? For real?”
“Yes.”
