Page 43 of Forever

“Cena?”

“Dinner, Coach.”

“I don’t know as much Spanish as you,” I said and ruffled his hair.

“It’ll be ready in just a minute,” Brooklyn said.

“Do you want to pick out the movie tonight while your mom finishes up?” We’d been doing movie marathons almost every night the past week. Yes, I felt bad about missing out on Halloween. But I loved snuggling up to Brooklyn on the couch.

Jacob nodded and ran out of the room.

Brooklyn pushed around something in a pan with a spatula.

“You know…” I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “It’s nice having homecooked meals every night.”

She leaned her head back and looked up at me. “Well good, because I like cooking for you every night. But are you sure you want to watch movies tonight?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm.” She turned off the stove and turned toward me. “There’s nothing else you want to do?”

“Nope.”

She raised her eyebrow at me.

“I’m happy right here with you and Jacob.”

“I know. But your mom texted me about the Halloween party. To see if we’d changed our minds.”

“I’m sorry. I already told her we weren’t coming. You don’t have to text her back. I’ll call her.”

“I already texted her.”

“Oh. Well, good.” I wasn’t sure what she wanted me to say. That I wanted to go? That I was sad we were missing out on a fun night with our friends? I cleared my throat. “Dinner smells amazing. Let me get the plates.” I stepped around her but she grabbed my hand.

“I told her we were coming,” she said.

“Wait, what?”

“I don’t want to miss out. I’m not going to waste any more days.” A smile spread across her face.

I picked her up and twirled her around.

Her laughter filled the room.

“Oh, shit,” I said and put her down on her feet. “We don’t have costumes.” Well, that wasn’t entirely true. “Actually, I do have your old Sandy costume.”

“Why on earth do you have that?”

I shrugged. “Mr. Pruitt let me keep a few of your things. I think it’s at my parents’ house.” A lot of her things were there.

“I’m very curious about what other old things of mine you kept. But Sandy doesn’t exactly fit the theme of this year’s party.”

“Right.” It was comedies and romcoms this year. “I’m sure we have something…”

“I actually already have it covered.”

“You do?” How long had she been planning on going?

---