Page 59 of Small Town Sash

"Try to keep up," Hadley shot back with a grin.

The movie theater was cozy, an intimate setting perfect for their burgeoning connection. They settled into the middle row, the big screen promising unrestrained humor and romance. As the lights dimmed, Braden felt Hadley's hand brush against his, an electric jolt shooting up his arm. He tentatively reached over, fingers entwining.

Onscreen, slapstick antics unfolded, each gag funnier than the last but also bringing the main characters together in a special way. Their laughter echoed together, a symphony of shared amusement. During a particularly cheesy scene, Hadley rested her head on his shoulder, her hair tickling his cheek.

"Can you believe people actually fall for that stuff?" she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.

"Every day," Braden murmured, the truth of his words surprising even him.

Their shoulders touched, her body curled into his side, and he pulled her just a little bit closer. Every chuckle vibrated through him, the connection sparking like a live wire. When their eyes met, laughter subsided into something softer, something real. For a moment, they were the only two people in the world, caught up in the romantic whirlwind onscreen and between them.

Braden's laughter tapered off as the credits rolled, the echo of Hadley's giggles still bouncing around his chest. The theater slowly brightened, nudging them back to reality. He stretched, feeling oddly light.

"Best date movie?" he teased, side-eyeing her as they stood up.

"Top five, at least," Hadley replied, playfully bumping his shoulder. "But the company made it the best."

"Smooth," he said with a chuckle. His heart did this weird somersault thing that he wasn't used to.

Outside, the night had settled in comfortably, stars winking above the slumbering town of Woody. They strolled together, their steps syncing without effort.

"Tonight was..." Braden started, searching for the right word.

"Nice?" Hadley offered, tilting her head, the streetlights catching the blue in her eyes.

"More than nice." He stopped walking, turning to face her. "It was real."

"Real is good," she agreed, her smile reflecting something that felt like hope.

"Real is scary," he confessed, his voice dropping a notch. "I'm not used to this."

"Used to what?"

"Feeling like...like I don't want the night to end," he admitted. "Like I'm falling?—"

"Look out," Hadley interrupted, pointing behind him.

Braden spun around but only found empty air and a poorly placed trash can. Turning back, he caught the mischievous glint in her eye. "You're terrible," he said, but he was laughing, and it felt incredible.

"Got you," she beamed, pride dancing across her features.

Braden shook his head; he couldn't remember the last time he felt this light-hearted. Lke a shadow, however, the thought of his impending departure crept up on him, dimming the glow.

"Hey, you okay?" Hadley's voice pulled him back.

"Yeah, just...I go back to the air base soon. In a week, actually," Braden blurted out, the words tasting bittersweet.

"That soon?" Her eyes searched his.

"Duty calls," he explained. "It's who I am."

"Sounds intense," she said, her tone softening.

"It is," he sighed. "Just wish I could freeze this moment."

"Let's not think about next week. Let's think about now," Hadley suggested, reaching for his hand.

"Right. Now." He squeezed her hand, grounding himself in the present. There was something about Hadley that made him believe it could work, that they could make the moments matter.

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