“It’s a theater room. Don’t expect too much.”
I roll my eyes.
And just as I expected, it exceeds my expectations. It’s not a huge theater at all. It’s cozy and very Javonte with sleek lines, dark colors, and so many snacks behind a display case just like at the movies.
“I have to pay for these?” I point to the box of candy I want.
“In kisses.”
I giggle and grab his shoulders to bring him down for a kiss on his cheek.
“That’s it? You can only have one piece of candy out of the whole box.”
“How much candy will a kiss on the lips get me?”
“Half the box.” He answers fast like these are real prices.
“What about a little tongue?”
His chest rises and falls. “A little?”
“Give me my candy!” I swat at his arm. He laughs and hands the box over.
“Do you want to watch a movie or a show? You still watch all those dating shows?”
He sits next to me, hogging up the arm rest. “Is that judgement in your voice?”
“Nope. I watch those survival shows nonstop, and I’m convinced I could survive in Siberia for exactly six weeks.”
“I’ve never watched one. I’m down.”
Javonte sits up in his chair and taps on the tablet in his lap. The opening credits come on, and I burst into laughter. “You couldn’t survive five days out there.”
The look of offense on his face makes him look like a little kid. I laugh harder.
“You have no faith in me.”
“Javonte, you can’t hunt.”
“How do you know?” He’s really offended.
I try to stop laughing and fail as they introduce the survivalists, how long they’ve been preparing, and what they specialize in.
“I’m sorry. You’re a big strong man, and you sure can survive.”
“You’re being sarcastic,” he says, sitting back in his chair. “But I’m ignoring it and acting like your words are genuine. I could do it.”
We watch half the season. Javonte adds commentary on how he’d stalk the elk, store the meat, and build his shelter much better from the actual survivalists. He’s so serious, and it’s actually cute.
We both ended up falling asleep reclined in the theater chairs while the rest of the survivalist season watched us.
“Lily.” His soft voice and gentle touch on my knees wakes me up. “We fell asleep. You want to go lay down in the bed, or do you want me to drive you home?”
The thought of waking up completely and sitting in a car when I know there’s a very large, very comfortable bed close by makes the decision easy.
“Bed.” My eyes are still closed, and they don’t open when I feel myself being lifted into his arms.
I’m asleep again before he makes it out of the room.
