I glanced over at her. “We watching a movie?”
She batted her eyelashes. I mean, legit batted them before murmuring, “Maybe.”
Honestly, I couldn’t have cared less about the movie. If my wife wanted my attention for two hours in a dusty ass Louisiana theater, she could have it. I just wanted us right again.
“What we seeing?” I asked as I approached the box office.
“I got our tickets, baby. Come on,” she coaxed, holding out her hand.
Of course, I grabbed it.
The cinema was old-school with four screens, “Coming Soon” movie posters near the concession stand, and popcorn that smelled like I might chance slapping Joia Jones after a taste. Theory led me into Theater Two, but when we walked inside, the place was empty.
Completely empty.
I frowned. “I know your town small, but where everybody at?”
Theory bit her lip, suddenly looking shy.
“Targen—”
Before she could explain, Real appeared from the hallway in a red and white striped apron and hat, carrying popcorn. A smiling Everly was on his heels with a big drink.
“Welcome, nigga… and ma’am,” he greeted dryly.
I looked around me slowly, then at Theory.
“You rented out the theater?”
Theory shrugged one shoulder and fluttered those eyelashes again. “Maybe.”
Something warm began a slow spread through my veins.
“Shorty…”
Before I could finish, Real pointed toward the screen. “Movie starting.”
The lights dimmed, then the opening credits rolled. My eyes widened immediately.
“Jason’s Lyric?” I looked at Theory. “Ahh, shit,milaya. How you know this my joint?”
“It came up in conversation one day. I was happy to share the info,” Everly offered smugly.
My nigga was marrying a real one. Shorty had been helping me out above and beyond the call of duty. I fist bumped her.
Real snorted. “This nigga been pretending he hard for years. Whole time, his favorite movie is about romantic hood poetry.”
“He said, while dressed like a candy cane,” I responded dryly.
“When you put it like that, baby, it makes sense these two ended up together,” Ev said.
“I know, ol’Come live with me and be my looooveass nigga,” Real mocked dramatically.
Theory burst out laughing.
I pointed at him. “Get out.”
“Nah. Theater paid for through ten.”
