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Patty sent us a mock glare. “Stop,” she mouthed.

I showed her the phone. She read the last message and bit her lip to keep from laughing.

The monster attacked a coastal city, although most of the destruction happened beyond the frame. Actors screamed while staring in slightly different directions. A building collapsed before the creature touched it.

Sloane: That building lacked confidence.

Hudson: Structural anxiety.

I pressed my lips together.

Two seats away, Grandma Ruth shushed us even though we hadn’t made a sound.

I tucked the phone against my leg and tried to focus. That lasted all of four minutes.

The military launched a missile at the creature despite the scientist yelling that explosions would make it stronger.

The explosion made it stronger.

Sloane: Who could have predicted that?

Hudson: Not the twelve people who were warned directly.

I covered my mouth with my hand.

Hudson leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. The contact was probably accidental, but neither of us moved away.

Warmth spread along my arm. I became aware of every place our bodies touched through clothing. Shoulder. Elbow. His knee against mine.

It made my stomach flip in a way that had nothing to do with the lie I was living and everything to do with the man beside me. For months, he’d been words on a screen, a steady presence checking if I’d eaten or taken a breath. Now, he was broad shoulders and a heat that made me want to lean in until there was no space left between us. It terrified me how easily I wanted to sink into it, to pretend for just one night that I actually belonged here.

Caldwell appeared halfway through the second act. He stood near our chairs holding his sketchbook, his hair mussed and eyes heavy.

I smiled up at him. “Need a seat?” I whispered.

He nodded.

I shifted the blanket and opened my arms. Caldwell climbed carefully onto my lap. He was heavier than expected, all long limbs and sleepy trust. I wrapped the blanket around him as he sat on my knees, his eyes trained on the screen.

The scientist discovered the monster responded to whale songs. Caldwell watched for several minutes, then reached one hand toward Hudson.

Hudson understood immediately. “Want to switch?”

Caldwell nodded.

He moved from my lap to Hudson’s with the practiced ease of a child who knew he would be received. Hudson settled him against his chest, adjusted the blanket, and continued watching the film with one hand resting on Caldwell’s leg.

The sight reached all the tender parts deep inside me.

There was no embarrassment in Hudson’s care. No sense that Caldwell’s need interrupted the evening or demanded explanation. He simply made room.

Eventually, Caldwell sat up and looked around for Julie, who was several chairs away beside Hilary. Julie opened her arms. Caldwell crossed to her and curled into her side.

After another minute, he lifted one hand and made a sign. Both palms pressed together, then rested near the side of his face.

Bed.

Byron stood before Julie could ask anyone. “I’ll take him.”