“Casablanca,” he said, pouring wine into a tumbler.
“Are you kidding me?” A shiver ran down her back as she reached for the glass. “Thank you. I’ve watched that movie over a dozen times with Lil! Oh, man, did she love Ingrid—she was her favorite movie star of all time.”
“Is that so?” Noah asked, meeting her eager eyes.
“Have you seen it?” Dahlia leaned closer yet.
“When I was a kid, maybe.” He looked inward, pouring himself a glass. “You really like this movie, huh?’
“Here’s looking at you, kid. Does that ring a bell?”
He cocked his head in confusion.
“It’s from the movie.” Her voice trailed off as if she were disappointed. But in what? So far, they’d been in sync with just about everything. So what if he didn’t like old movies as much as she did?
“I know it.” He laughed, interrupting her hopeful thought. “Everyone knows that line. It’s like the most famous movie quote of all time.”
“Just checking.” She scoffed playfully, exhaling slowly.Phew.No problem here, at least not for now. Part of her wondered if she was purposefully seeking signs of capability. Perhaps that would make her feel more at ease about their age difference.
“And the song.” He started whistling the tune to “As Time Goes By.”
“What talent. Bravo. Bravo.” Dahlia clapped as her laughter bubbled over, realizing being with him felt as easy as Sunday morning.
They sat there on the blanket as the world around them went about its natural summer rhythm. They were in their own little bubble. One she hoped would never pop. In one look, she was lost in the depths of his tender gaze. Noah held her chin between his fingers, as if he was going to kiss her with his perfectly manscaped mustache. That was until they heard, “Noah,” in the distance. Suddenly, his eyes widened as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t, and he threw on his baseball hat and sunglasses like he wanted to be anonymous.
She wondered what the abrupt shift was all about. But it quickly dissipated when she saw how cute he looked in a baseballcap. Dahlia spotted what looked to be Gretchen in the distance. “I think it’s your sister.”
“Oh, phew.” He relaxed his posture and took off his sunglasses.
Dahlia could feel her forehead crease. Did he not want to be seen with her? Dahlia couldn’t conceive of that being the truth, but how well did she know him? Plus, he could have been rethinking the age thing. Something had felt different right off the bat with him, but could she fully trust the unexplainable pull that felt magnetic and electrifying? It had been her experience that if something felt too good to be true, it usually was. But that didn’t have to be her and Noah.
“Hey, you two.” Gretchen walked over in her cute maxi dress and messy bun.
Noah sprang to his feet and hugged her. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“I live here, remember?” Gretchen deadpanned.
“Right.” Noah nodded.
Dahlia took a double-take. Seeing them side by side, she saw the resemblance, especially in their eyes. They both shared the most stunning blue eyes she’d ever seen. “Hi, Gretchen.”
“Hey.” She gave a little wave to Dahlia. “So, what are you kids up to?”
“Watching an old movie. Want to join?” Noah scanned the crowd behind her as if to see if they noticed his name being shouted across the lawn.
Selfishly, Dahlia hoped Gretchen would say no. She wanted Noah all to herself.
“Nah, I’m meeting someone for drinks.”
Dahlia felt her shoulders fall in relief.
“You are, are you?” Noah said with a cheeky grin.
“Get your head out of the gutter. She and I are just friends.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Noah said, nudging her arm.
“Well, I’ll let you two get to it,” said Gretchen.
