Page 61 of Love, Rekindled

We sit down and she grabs the popcorn. I forced her to share a drink with me, part of the fun is reaching for the cup at the same time, and the lights dim.

Now I just need to keep my hands to myself.

CHAPTER 8

Gretchen

He’s so close.

He’s so close and all I want to do is reach my hand over and take his, but this isn’t a real date. This is him trying to teach me, and I need to remember that.

It’s not like he likes me. He feels bad.

I’m so stupid.

I can’t believe I let myself start to wish otherwise. When I was getting ready today, I kept wondering if he’d think I was pretty or if he liked my hair up or down. I fussed over everything.

My nerves are shot and my muscles are tight. I’m crazy because this is Ben. The boy who used to eat dinner at my house every week because my mother likes him more than me. He’s the kid who watched movies in my bedroom and made fun of me the entire time.

He makes a yawning noise, lifting his arms over his head and then around my shoulders.

I let out a giggle and lean close, my voice is a whisper. “Smooth.”

His lips brush my ear. “Wooing. I’m wooing you.”

I bite my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. “It’s working.”

“Good.”

If this is how dates are supposed to be, I’ve been missing out. He’s so sweet by opening doors, helping me out of the car, paying for the movie and snacks. I lift the arm rest between us, tucking my leg up and nestling into his chest.

His body locks and then releases a second later. I don’t look up at him, instead I force myself to focus on the crappy movie playing. My pulse spikes when a few minutes later, his fingers begin to idly play with my hair. Almost as if he doesn’t know it’s happening.

This was our thing as kids.

We’d watch movies and snuggle.

Now we’re adults. I’m ridiculously attracted to him, and this has danger written all over it.

The movie ends and I realize I missed the entire ending. I laid on his chest, with my eyes closed, enjoying the way his hands felt on me.

Pull it together, Gretchen.

“Did you like it?” Ben asks as we walk out.

“Sure.”

He laughs. “I knew you weren’t even watching!”

Shit. Now I’m busted. “It was stupid!”

“God you’re still the same in so many ways. You never watched the movies when we were kids and you would pretend.”

I definitely did that. I was comfortable then and apparently now.

“Whatever. You’re the same too.”

“How?”

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