Page 55 of Space Balls: Houston, We Have Liftoff
He grabs a blanket off the back of an armchair and drapes it over me. “I didn’t realize it was a competition.”
“Duh.” I roll my eyes for effect. “Life is a competition.”
“Is that so?” Lifting my legs, he sits, dropping them back down on his lap, making sure they’re covered by the blanket. “Then I guess I’m already winning.”
I pretend he’s talking about being an astronaut. “Okay, astro-boy.”
But as he holds my eyes for a moment longer than I think necessary, I have a sneaking suspicion he’s not.
Fourteen
Splash Down
Rose
“The price iswrong, Bob!”
I point to Vance and celebrate my “win” with an awesome victory dance. He overbid on the showcase showdown, and I got within three hundred dollars. I wiggle my body as I jump from foot to foot, slapping the air in front of me like I’m riding someone doggy style.
I never said I was a gracious winner.
“Bob Barker isn’t even the host anymore.” Vance rolls his eyes. Something he’s probably doing more now than he ever did before he met me.
I tend to bring out the best in people.
“And I can’t believe you just quotedHappy Gilmore.” Vance shakes his head. “I’m pretty sure you weren’t evenalivewhen that movie came out.”
If he pouted any harder, he’d look like a blowfish.
Turns out, between this and the Fortnite battle last night, Vance isn’t a gracious loser.
I find that hilarious.
I stop air slapping and shrug, my cheeks hurting from smiling so hard. “Adam Sandler movies are timeless, old man.”
“I’m pretty sure there are a lot of movie critics that would argue that statement.” Pout forgotten, he shakes his head and grins.
I shimmy closer to him and bend forward until I’m nose to nose with him. “Stop looking at me,swan.” My imitation of Adam Sandler inBilly Maddisonis eerily accurate if I do say so myself.
“All right, all right, enough.” He holds out his hands, laughing when I change up my victory dance to the running man. “I guess it’s safe to say you’re feeling better?”
I take a break from dancing, a little out of breath. “I told you I did.” Flopping down next to him on the couch, I rub my tummy. “I just ate too much last night is all.”
“That’s good, then.” Putting his arm around me, he pulls me in. I let myself be embraced, enjoying the cuddle time.
Until I realize that I’m enjoying the cuddle time.
I stiffen, about to get up, grab my clothes out of the dryer, and beat feet when his arm tightens around me.
“You’re leaving?” There’s a resigned note in his voice that makes me pause.
I think about what he said at Thanksgiving, about how I’m always running out on him. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’m not sure if my emotionally stunted heart can handle cuddle time.
“I won’t leave.” I struggle to sit up. “But I do have a suggestion.”
He narrows his eyes like he doesn’t quite trust me. “Okay.”
Nervousness sets in, and I bite my lip. “Wanna go people watch?”
