Page 77 of Okay, Cupid

“For you? Of course.”

“Let me get my laptop.”

I move out from under Cal, careful not to wake him as I slip a pillow under his head and pull the blanket around him, then move to the chair next to the couch, remote in hand. It’s easy to just hit “Start From Beginning” and pause while I wait for Huy, listening to the sounds of him wrestling with himself on the other end of the line.

“Are you okay over there?” I ask him.

“It’s harder than you might think to do things one-handed, okay?”

“Sounds to me like you need to try harder.”

“And it sounds to me like you should bite me.”

“Ouch, hit a nerve, did I?”

I can practically hear his smile through the phone.

“Are you ready now?” I ask him.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Okay … hitting play in three …” I start.

He continues, “Two.”

And at the same time, we say, “One.”

• • •

“Do you see Miranda as the villain?” Huy asks as the ending of the movie approaches.

“I think Andy’s a villain for littering in that fountain,” I tell him. “Honestly, I’ve watched this movie enough times to wonder if there really is a villain.”

“No villain? I thought stories had to have those.”

“I mean … sure, Miranda is tough. But it’s proven that she’s only that way because she cares about what she does, and she wants the same from the people around her because it’s so important. She keeps people at a distance to protect herself. Andy, she just wants to follow her dreams. And sure, the dude is hard to get along with, and he could be less whiny, but I don’t know. I don’t think he was really wrong either. I’d be mad if someone forgot my birthday.”

“I think I can see that,” he says. “When is your birthday?”

“Why?”

“I’m curious.”

“Only if you tell me yours.”

“Deal.”

“March fifteenth. Your turn.”

“August eighth.”

Huy being a Leo makes so much sense, and I don’t even subscribe to the zodiac thing.

“So, wait, you think a story doesn’t need a villain?”

“No. Not a real one at least. Sometimes the circumstances are the real bad guy.”

“Then what is there if there’s not a villain?”