Page 73 of Nanny for the SEAL

He grins right back at me, ensuring everything is comfortable for the movie.

“You’ve never been to a drive-in? Oh, man. You’re in for a treat. Speaking of…” He reaches down by my feet and pulls out a bag I hadn’t noticed. “Snacks. We can get some popcorn, too.”

A happy squeal escapes me, and I step out of his car to meet Xaden around back by the trunk. He gets to work putting the seats down, and we are all set up to lie down in the back and watch the movie through the rear window.

We’ll be snuggled up and cozy with all the blankets I’ve brought with us, and there are enough pillows pilled up back here to make sure we’re totally comfortable.

“Have you brought Daisy to these?” I ask as Xaden climbs in next to me.

“Umm, a few. We have to wait until this time of year when it gets dark earlier because I can’t be keeping a preschooler up until eleven at night, you know?”

Laughing, I nod. “Oh, right. That makes sense. Well, when she’s older.”

“For sure. Besides, this particular movie isn’t exactly kid-friendly.” He raises his brows before lying back and opening his arm up for me to join him.

“Which one is it? You still haven’t told me.”

Xaden grins, pointing at the screen, and I roll my eyes.

“You bum.”

But soon enough, the movie starts, and I see that Xaden has brought me to a double-feature event of the most ridiculous-themed horror movies of all time.

If you can even call them that.

“ThankskillingandBlack Friday, huh? Jesus, these look so bad!” I laugh, tossing a gummy worm at him.

“That’s the point!” He chuckles, popping the candy into his mouth and chewing. “And hey, if you like ‘em, there’sThankskillingTwoand a third one, too.”

“Why on earth would anyone make more?” All I can do is laugh, and as the first movie starts rolling, it continues through the crappy graphics and terrible dialogue.

It’s perfect.

From the comfort of the car, we can yell at the screen as the characters continue to make bad decisions, and the tasty treats are passed back and forth, including a massive thing of stadium-style popcorn that Xaden picks up.

I snag the thermos of hot apple cider I brought with us and refill my cup asThankskillinghits its peak.

“Am I seriously watching a turkey spirit that’s been killing people use a sheriff’s face as a disguise? Who the hell would buy that?”

Xaden laughs, and we both devolve into a fit of unstoppable giggles as the foul-mouthed Turkie causes more mayhem than I can even believe.

“Oh my God,” Xaden heaves in a breath, struggling to speak through the laughter, “he’s so dumb. What the hell? There’s radioactive waste now?!”

It’s all too ridiculous to be taken even remotely seriously, and I find myself having so much more fun than I could have imagined.

Pretending to eat me like the turkey, Xaden nibbles my neck, and I shoo him away, chuckling so hard my ribs hurt.

With that, the first movie is done, and we’re moving on toBlack Friday, which is about zombies.

The absurd action continues, but I’ll admit that this one is slightly better. The effects are practical, which makes it look better than that evil turkey, and it’s not hard to imagine a bunch of zombies fitting in at a Black Friday sale.

“I’m glad that Bridget and Mason could watch Daisy. This isnotappropriate for a kiddo.”

Just as I say it, blood spatters over the violence-filled shopping center of the movie, and my stomach turns.

Xaden laughs, but as he turns to me, his brows pinch together with concern. “Not a fan of gore? You’re looking a little green around the gills.”

I turn away from the screen, grimacing slightly. “It’s usually not a big deal. I guess I’m just off today or seeing that turkey did some bad things to me. Equally likely.”

---