“Come on. Let’s go.” I step out of the car, rounding the hood to open her door, and she hesitates before stepping onto the gravel.
She threads her fingers through mine.
I didn’t offer it to her because we’re in public, but she’s taken it, anyway.
“Pick your poison, Snow. Pizza, tacos, dumplings or…ice cream?” I scrunch up my nose and chuckle, throwing my arm over her shoulder. She raises her hand to take mine again, and sinks into me.
“All three. Ice cream for dessert.”
We stop at every truck, collecting a serving of each before we head back to the car, arms loaded with food.
“What movie is showing tonight?” I ask, taking my first bite of the cheese pizza that rests on the dashboard of Cassandra’s car.
“Well, it’s a double screening, actually. Considering my best friend’s husband owns it, I put in two suggestions and they both happen to be playing tonight.” She grins without saying another word. “I was planning on inviting you when I got back from Katie’s.”
“Are you going to tell me, or are you going to leave me hanging?”
“It’s time for you to get to know me in the way I know you. One screening is my favorite movie, and one is yours.” She wiggles her brows.
“Let me guess. The Notebook or the Titanic?” Cheap shot, I know. But most women go feral for those movies.
Not Jenna, though.
She shakes her head in response.
“Nope. She’s The Man. Now be quiet, it’s about to start.”
Chapter thirty-eight
Jenna
Amanda Bynes and ChanningTatum in a soccer rom-com? Yes, please.
If I wanted to annoy Cole, I would recite every single line of this film from start to finish, but he’s grown on me a little too much for me to willingly annoy him.
Nobody ever did for me what he did today.
Not my friends in high school.
Not even my first boyfriend.
They all stood idly by and watched as my mom tore me to shreds.
Cassandra never had the chance because I refused to allow the two of them to be in a room together. But I’ve got no doubt that if I let her, she would unleash what she’s kept inside for the better part of the last twelve years.
Ever since I was old enough to understand what my mom’s words meant, I never allowed myself to be in a position for her to judge me publicly.
Hell, I never wanted her to judge me at all.
I always made sure to dress in a way that suited my size. I made sure I never ate in front of her, and if I did, it would be a basic salad without the dressing.
I’d even drink my coffee black in her presence. No cream, no sugar, and definitely not the caramel drizzle.
I’ve dealt with enough shit from her in every aspect of my life, but never had she questioned the legitimacy of a man’s feelings for me until today, and Cole took it in his stride.
He played the part like the actor he is, and I went along with it, because I wanted so badly to believe that everything he said was true. Not being judged for the clothes I wear, my food intake, or how I like my coffee—it’s the absolute bare minimum, but for me, the bar was set so low until Cole attached it to a green flag and waved that thing around like it was so normal.
Even strangers I walk past in the street do a double-take if I’m wearing something that doesn’t suit my body type—like it’s any of their business.
