Page 20 of The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

While the popcorn had been popping, my stomach had been growling with hunger. But as soon as I sat down on the couch next to Jake, probably much closer than was necessary if he had any personal space issues, I didn't feel hungry. Or thirsty.

Jake didn't have the same problem. He thanked me and ate most of the popcorn in the first five minutes. Which was good, because the awkwardness between us was so tangible it was like we had another person hanging out with us. Maybe I should ask Awkward if it wanted to go to the masquerade ball with me since lately we seemed to be spending so much time together.

But as the movie went on, it started feeling normal. Not awkward. Comfortable, almost. I mean, I was still totally aware of him, of the heat that seemed to emanate from his arm and leg and how it made my leg and arm feel all tingly in response, how every time he shifted I held my breath for a second and had to will my heart to slow down.

Then, as always, I got totally caught up inPride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy was walking across the field toward Elizabeth Bennet. So romantic. It was one of my favorite scenes.

Jake started laughing. "He's not coming for you, you know."

I realized that I had moved forward so that I was sitting on the edge of the couch, and I was leaning toward the television. Embarrassed, I replied. "Obviously." I scooted back and crossed my arms.

"Stuff like that never happens in real life," he informed me.

I didn't know what to say in response that wouldn't make me sound like a total sentimental sap. I have this huge thing for romantic movies and their heroes. I would never admit that I couldn't help but get caught up in scenes like that one. I mean, there was Darcy all masculine and hot, striding toward her, coming to claim her. It made my heart all twittery.

The movie finished with the requisite happy ending and I caught myself before I finished sighing. Jake raised a single eyebrow at me and I said, "What? I can't help it. I like romantic movies."

"So, if I'm getting this right, you can basically sum this movie up in," he paused to count in his head, "Nine words."

"Nine words?" I scoffed as I turned the TV off.

"Yeah." He held up his fingers and started counting off the words. "He likes her. She likes him. They find out."

Hearing one of my favorite stories broken down like that made it seem silly. "You just missed the point completely," I felt totally defensive. "There is so much more to it than that."

"Like what?" he asked.

I was going to tell him exactly what, but he chose that moment to stand up and stretch. His muscles strained against his shirt and my mind turned to mush. He looked at me and I realized he was waiting for an answer to his question, but in that moment I couldn't have even told him my name.

"I don't know, but it hasn't been around for two hundred years without there being more stuff to it." I picked up some popcorn that had fallen on the floor and put it back in the bowl while Jake wandered over to our movie collection (my dad loved collecting DVDs and Blu-Rays even though he never, ever watched them).

"I know you think it's lame, but isn't that kind of the basis of all romantic stories? They like each other and then they find out?"

"That's why action movies are better," Jake said as I put the empty soda cans into the bowl.

"Yes, I suppose romantic movies aren't as subtly nuanced a plot as say, things blowing up and bad guys getting killed."

"You just described fine art," he said with a teasing glint in his eye. His fingers trailed through across the DVD cases and he said, "You weren't kidding about the romantic movie thing. Somebody likes John Hughes."

Not many people could name John Hughes as the director of movies likeThe Breakfast ClubandPretty in Pink. I was impressed. "Um, yeah. That would be me. Although that man totally ruined high school for me."

"Not like the movies, huh?"

"Not in the slightest, unfortunately."

He held up a copy of one of my favorite movies,Sixteen Candles, and said, "My mom's a huge fan of John Hughes too. She actually named me after the guy in this movie."

"Jake Ryan?"

"That's literally my name. Don't wear it out."

I thought my throat might close in. "Your middle name is Ryan?" My voice came out strangled sounding. He nodded.

How did I not know this? Jake Ryan ofSixteen Candleswas like the perfect man. And my Jake was named after him. Oh my Buddha, I loved him even more now. I knew it was a stupid reason to love him more. I was constantly amazed by the depths of my own shallowness. Wait. Could a shallow person have depths? Whatever. He was named for Jake Ryan. Loved him!

"My dad was mad when he found out, but by then it was too late. I tried to watch it once but…" he shrugged and put the DVD back on the shelf.

I found my voice. "Are you serious? That has like only the most romantic ending of a movie ever."

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