Page 37 of The Way We Collide

He hands me a small remote. “You tell me. This was your idea.”

“Okay, well, back home when we had trouble sleeping we’d watch a movie.” I turn the familiar remote in my hand, pressing the home button with my thumb. “What streaming services do you have?”

“All of them.”

Of course he does. He only watches football, but he has every streaming service.

“It really is a shame you live in LA and you’re completely ignorant of cinema.”

“Cinema?” His brow arches. “That sounds ominous.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll get you up to speed… starting… here.” I quickly pull upThe Princess Bride. “Haddy loves this one, and it’s just long enough and quiet enough that she should be asleep by the end.”

“The Princess Bride?” He gives me such a grimace, I almost laugh.

“You’ve seen it?”

“No, but it sounds like a chick movie.”

My brow lowers, and I can’t resist. “Would you say it sounds like akissingmovie?”

Hendrix watches me suspiciously as I start the show. It opens with the scene of a little boy holding a game controller and sitting in his bed.

“Whoa, look at that video game! What even is that? It’s so primitive.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I glance over at him, and Haddy is rooting around, moving into his side so she can rest her little head on his chest.

It’s really cute how comfortable she is with him already. He has no problem with her either, even helping her get into a position that’s comfortable for them both.

“This movie came out in 1987,” I say softly. “It’s a Rob Reiner joint.”

“Rob Reiner?” He looks at me, and I have to hold back from groaning loudly.

It’s so sad. He literally knowsnothingabout film.

“Rob Reiner was a major movie director. He started out as an actor, playing “Meathead” in the TV showAll in the Family, but he made the transition to film withThis is Spinal Tap, which led to Christopher Guest making all his mockumentaries.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Hendrix shakes his head.

“He also madeStand by Me?Misery?” Nothing. “Where Kathy Bates hobbles James Caan with a sledgehammer?”

“Whoa… That sounds pretty gnarly.”

Exhaling heavily, I wave him away. “It doesn’t matter. Haddy lovesThe Princess Bride, and she’s only been here six months. You’ll catch up.”

The grandfather bursts onto the scene, and Hendrix exhales a little chuckle when the grandson balks at the ancient fabric-covered hardback book after which the movie is titled.

We watch a few minutes longer, and Hendrix shifts gently in my direction.

“Speaking of brides, I start training camp on Monday, and I’ll be pretty much gone every day, all day, for two weeks. Then preseason starts, and it just gets busier.” My brow furrows, but he continues. “If you’re serious about this marriage thing, we’d better do it a-sap.”

“Oh!” My stomach tightens, and I sit straighter in my seat. “Right. What do we need to do to get married here? Blood tests?”

“Nope.” He shifts back to facing the screen. “I did some half-assed Google research, and we can get a license in thirty minutes. So basically as soon as you’re ready, we can head to the county clerk’s office. They’ll even provide the witnesses.”

“What about a prenup?” My voice is quiet.

His lips twist, and he looks at me. “This is about securing your trust fund, right?” I nod, my insides tense. “I trust you.”

---