Page 24 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

“Where next?” she asks.

I nod toward the theater across the street.

Her eyes follow the motion. “The movie theater?”

“Yep. New horror movie’s playing.”

“Stalker,” she deadpans.

I shrug. She loves slasher films. Her social media made that clear. She’s been talking about this one for weeks.

I lean down so my mouth is close to her ear. “I think you secretly like that I stalked you.”

Her breath catches, and she shoves me back. “Get over yourself.”

“Come on. We don’t want to miss the previews. I know how much you like those.”

I wink and drape my arm over her shoulders. She lets it happen. By the time we reach the ticket line, she slips out from under it and threads her fingers through mine. I smile to myself but don’t look at her. She steps a little closer.

At the ticket window, I say, “Two for Camp Summerhill.”

The kid behind the glass looks at me. He does a double take when he sees Katie.

“Ms. Miller!”

Here we go again.

“Justin,” she says, letting go of my hand. “Hi.”

“You watch horror movies?” the kid asks.

Katie shrugs. “Uh, yeah. They’re fun.”

His attention drifts to me. I can practically see the moment he realizes I’m not only standing next to her. I’m with her.

“Is this your boyfriend?”

Katie turns to me, eyes wide. The question hangs there for a second. I step forward and lean toward the ticket window, one hand resting casually on the counter.

“Here’s my card, kid.”

The card slides through the slot. The kid takes it slowly. I straighten and glance down at Katie. When I straighten again, Katie’s still looking at me. Waiting for me to correct him. I don’t. He slides the card and two tickets back through the slot.

“Enjoy the movie.”

Katie gives him a tight smile. “See you Monday, Justin.”

Before the kid can say another word, she grabs my wrist and pulls me away from the window. I let her. Mostly because watching Katie Miller panic in public is quickly becoming one of my favorite hobbies. By the time we reach the lobby, she finally releases me and turns around.

“Next time,” she says under her breath, “we are going to a different town.”

Next time. I put my hands in my pockets, a slow grin pulling at my mouth.

“Next time?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Oh, please. Don’t act like you didn’t know there was going to be a next time.”