Page 44 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

Tiffany shakes her head. “No, if I take a nap and still don’t feel well, I’ll go down there myself.”

“I hope it’s not something serious,” I say, grabbing the comforter and pulling it over her shoulders.

“You always know how to take care of a girl. Why don’t you go take care of yourself now? Do something not on the Breakup list.”

It’s been so long since I’ve done something not related to the bucket list, that I’m kind of lost as to what to do. I pick up the small book listing all the events on the ship, flipping through to find something I feel like doing. Alone. Because no matter what I do, I end up doing things by myself. And as much as I want to hope Kenzie, Evie, and Millie will live in my home forever, they’ll find guys suited for them and leave me. I’ll be the old lady with the cats. Except I’m allergic, so maybe I’ll have dogs or bunnies or something.

I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to figure that out during the sad, lonely years.

“Would you be bugged if I go to a movie? I think they’ve got a new one out that I’ve been wanting to see.”

“Knock yourself out,” Tiffany says, covering her face with the pillow.

Instead of working to get all dolled up, I pull on a pair of jogger sweats. Comfort and buttery softness are only the beginning of the love I feel for them. Also, the elastic waistband is amazing. I pull on a t-shirt and then a hoodie.

“How do I look?” I ask Tiffany, more as a joke than anything.

“You look comfy. I should probably change into something like that so I can sleep better.”

“What can I bring you?”

“Drew.”

I chuckle. “Sorry, unless he’s developed some superhero-like flying capabilities, we’re a bit far for him to catch up with us.”

“I know.” She sits up long enough to look me in the eye. “Rachelle, go have fun tonight.”

I scoff, knowing that watching a movie is more like my old self than the person I’ve been trying to become through the Breakup Bucket List, but sometimes I need that safe place. Like a recharging station. I’m not trying to completely change myself, just strengthen the sections that are weaker.

The walk to the theater isn’t long, down a couple flights of stairs. The movie theater room connects to what sounds like the musical, since I can hear it from the hallway. I like those, but I’m not in the mood for singing and dancing just now.

Inside the theater is a small concession stand and I grab a popcorn and a lemonade. Another perk to this place is I don’t have to pay anything extra. That definitely helps my wallet when it comes time to head home and face reality.

I take a seat in the exact middle seat of all the rows, a quirk I’ve always had. I enjoy being able to glance at the screen and know things are right on.

The lights dim a minute or two later, with only about six or eight other people in the theater. Of course, they’re all couples.

I slide down in the seat, wondering how I’d made it to this point in my life. As long as I’m finished wallowing by the time the movie is over, I’ll count it as a win.

What am I going to do about a job when I get back? And will I be okay if Landon marries someone else?

This is probably why I’ve never been to a movie by myself.

Light enters the room as a door opens at the back, but I can’t see a face because of the silhouette.

There is shuffling but I stare at the movie in front of me, trying to push away the emotions and sadness overtaking me.

I must’ve mixed up the movie times because this isn’t the one I thought would be playing. As the main character graces the screen, I recognize it from commercials I’ve seen over the past several months. I love Sandra Bullock and have been hoping she’d make another movie, but a second-chance romance isn’t sitting well. Maybe I should grab my tablet and read on deck. That might save me from an eruption of emotions ready to pour out of me.

Footsteps behind me start up again and a movement out of the corner of my eyes causes me to turn. The movie is dark until a bright light shines out on a football field. The reflection and light reveal Landon walking toward me. I glance behind him, sure Savannah will be there.

He takes the seat next to me, grinning like he’s just won a major award.

“What are you doing here? And how did you know it was me?” I whisper loudly.

“Dani and I went to watch the musical next door, and I couldn’t handle it. I figured I’d come see what was playing in the theater and then spotted you. I always look in the middle of the theater, just in case you’re in your usual spot. Where’s Tiffany?”

It takes my brain a few moments to register his question as it’s still caught up in the fact he looks for me. I guess having a specific spot isn’t as weird as I thought.

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