Page 48 of Return to Me Always

Not this question. I hated this question. "Well," I started, "I like the Lord of the Rings movies." They both nodded. "And Star Wars." Again, nods of agreement.

"But what's your favorite?" Ben asked.

Oh, goodness. "Okay. But you can't make fun of me."

"No guarantees," Tyler said with a teasing grin.

"Come on, Kat. Just tell us."

"Ugh, fine. It's The Sound of Music."

To their credit, they didn't laugh, but Ben's face was turning red in an effort to hold it in.

"I know. I know," I said. "It's just my mom and I watch it together every year, and she always sang the songs to me as a kid. And—"

"It's a good movie actually," Ben said, his face now just a bright pink.

And because I'd had too much damn whiskey, I had to open my mouth again. "But really, my all-time, absolute, definite favorite is..."

They stared at me, waiting, while I wondered why I just had to keep on talking. I couldn't stop myself from blabbing, could I?

"What is it?" Ben asked.

What the heck? They'd probably never seen it anyway. Most guys hadn't even heard of it.

With a sigh, I admitted, "Well, it's The Notebook."

"What's that?" Tyler asked, confirming my suspicion.

Ben's jaw hit the floor. "You haven't heard of it, mate?"

Tyler shook his head.

"It's only the most romantic movie ever in the history of all movies," Ben said, shocking me.

"You really think so, Ben?" I asked.

He let out a big chuckle. "My ex made me watch it once. But aye. It totally got me, and it's definitely better than Tyler's."

I looked at Tyler and asked, "Why? What's yours?"

Tyler was glaring at Ben but answered me anyway. "Into the Wild."

"What a surprise. A movie all about hiking." I couldn't help laughing as Tyler's glare turned to me now.

"Hey, it's a great movie with amazing scenery."

The ending popped into my brain. "Wait. Doesn't the guy die at the end?"

"Exactly!" Ben cracked up. "That's what I always say."

"It's still inspiring," Tyler argued, taking the whiskey bottle from Ben and pouring more.

"I can see your point. But still," I said. "What about you, Ben? What's your favorite?"

He thought for a moment as he watched Tyler fill up our cups. "It's a tie. GoodFellas and Godfather."

"Ben's a wannabe mobster," Tyler said, laughing.

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