Cooper was right about our roommate situation lending itself to the perfect close-proximity encounters.I couldn't interact with her the same way in a crowded bar.And there was no one to interrupt us.
When the plates were in the dishwasher and the grill brushes washed, I grabbed a few blankets and took them outside.There was a large sectional on the patio across from the screen.I pressed the button to let it come down, and Reina gasped even though she knew it was coming.
"This is amazing."
I inclined my head toward the couch."Get comfortable while I get everything ready."
She sat on the cushion, folding her legs underneath her.Then she arranged a blanket over her lap.Hopefully, we'd be under the same one.I didn't come this far to misstep.
Almost touches and proximity were the plan for now.Eventually, those almost touches would turn to real ones.I just needed to be patient.
I moved the outdoor heater closer and turned it on.Then I went inside to grab waters, a bottle of wine with glasses, and some candy I kept for movie nights.I loved popcorn and candy, creating the perfect movie experience, but I wasn't sure if she did.
I took the candy and drinks outside, setting them on the coffee table."Did you want popcorn?"
"Of course," she said.
"I'll be right back then."This time, she followed me inside and watched while I pulled out my popcorn machine and a bowl.I grabbed kernels, oil, and salt.We'd have to share popcorn from a single bowl, our hands brushing against each other.
By the end of the night, I hoped she was thinking about me touching her everywhere.I might have been getting ahead of myself.But my time with her was limited.Any day, she could tell me that she found a place and was moving out.I needed to make my house the place to be.
I turned on the machine and waited for the first kernel to heat, then pop.She moved around the counter to stand next to me."You said you never have anyone over, but you have candy and a popcorn machine."
I waited for the machine to turn off, then added melted butter and salt to the cooked kernels."I guess I thought my brothers would spend more time here.But since I bought the place, everyone has been busy, and we usually gather at my parents'."
She grabbed the bowl, not bothering to ask for a separate one for herself, and we headed outside.I opened the bottle of wine and poured some for both of us.Then I settled next to her under the blankets, and she cradled the bowl on her lap.
"Now for the hard part.Picking a movie," I teased as I grabbed the remote.
"I want something filled with action."
"I like how you're thinking."It meant her focus would be on the fast-paced film and not me, but I couldn't exactly ask for a romance; she'd figure out my plan.This was supposed to be a subtle seduction, not a hit you in the face one.
She grinned at me, and my heart tripped over itself.I hadn't prepared myself for what it would mean to be this close to her.
She was Tom's sister.What was I doing?I felt hot and tingly all over as I mindlessly flipped through the available options.
When Reina asked to watch one, I obliged and set the remote aside.
"Are you okay?"Reina asked, probably noticing that I wasn't eating the popcorn.
"Yeah."I shifted on the cushions, bringing my thigh alongside hers.Then I reached for the popcorn, my fingers brushing hers.
We watched the movie in silence, munching on popcorn and sipping the wine.When the popcorn was gone, I took the bowl from her and opened the chocolate mints.
I dumped a few in her palm."These remind me of the theater."
I dropped a few in my mouth."That was the idea."
"They're hit-or-miss though.Sometimes you get one that's hard."
"I like them soft."
She smiled over at me as if we shared some kind of secret.But she wasn't my childhood best friend or crush.
This was my chance to see if we were attracted to each other.If the chemistry I felt was two-sided.
The movie was picking up, and we refocused our attention on the screen.Maverick had installed speakers throughout the space, and I could feel the thump of the music as it got louder.
