Page 45 of If You Were Mine
“How did this turn into two movies?”
“Because I’m special like that.”
He rolled his eyes, then gestured towards the dough I had ruined.
“Do you need help cleaning up?”
“No, luckily we close the bakery earlier than most places since we wake up earlier than the rest. Do you mind picking up Lucky? I can clean up here, and then meet you outside?”
“I don’t know if I like leaving you alone.”
“I’m an adult, Dorian. When are you going to remember that?”
He brushed his thumb along my jaw, and I sucked in a breath. “Wellesley, sometimes it’s all I can think about.”
And with that, he left to go pick up Lucky, leaving me wondering what the hell I was doing.
Because I was pretty sure I was about to have a date with Dorian Cage.
Or one very long night.
“He just touched her hand. Why do you keep giggling?” Dorian asked as we sank into the couch, our feet up on the coffee table. We had been here a few hours now, the evening long past. The moon had risen into the sky, and dinner was already eaten, and the dishes put away.
And now I had forced him to watch my favorite movie of all time. Because the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice was the best version. I didn’t care what anybody said. For the hand flex alone, I would fight for that right.
“You know why it’s so wonderful? Women didn’t touch men like that ever. Especially without gloves. And then she’s so surprised that he touches her at all, and he has to flex his hand when she’s not looking because he can still feel her warmth.” I put my hand to my chest and let out a dramatic sigh. “Between that and Bingley reaching for Jane’s ribbons on her dress at the dance, so many women love this movie.”
“I will say, I love watching you watch this movie. It makes the fact that I’m watching this damn movie worth it.”
“You love this movie too. Don’t lie to me.”
“It’s okay.”
“I promise that we’ll watch Shaun of the Dead after this.”
“Oh, we will be. I don’t care how late it gets.” He looked at his watch and grimaced. “It may be a midnight movie, but then you’re just stuck with me all night.” As soon as he said the words, a silence echoed between us, and I cleared my throat.
“Lucky is all settled on the dog bed that you bought him, so I wouldn’t mind that.”
What the hell was I doing? Was this me hitting on Dorian again? Well, fuck yes it was. But I had never been good at this, especially with the one person I’d been crushing on since I had turned eighteen.
“If you can take Shaun of the Dead that is,” he said dryly as he nudged me with his elbow.
Laughing, I leaned into him a bit more, resting my head on his shoulder. He adjusted, wrapping his arm around me, and I sunk into him. He smelled like Dorian, that sandalwood and cedar scent that just did things to me. My toes curled, and I told myself that it was just the movie. The ambiance.
We were just good friends, cuddling on the couch and watching Pride and Prejudice.
“Back in the day, I would sit on the couch with friends, take an edible because it’s Colorado and it’s legal here, and watch movies until the sun came up. Then I’d go straight to school, kick ass, and at some point, sleep. I have no idea how I made it through college.”
My lips twitched as I thought about Dorian in college, most likely with my brother, not sleeping.
“I’ve only had an edible once, and while it was fun to be relaxed, they mix with my meds now.” I hadn’t meant to say that, so when Dorian looked at me, worry in his gaze, I swallowed hard.
“I got sick when I was younger. Do you remember that?”
Anger clouded his features, and he leaned forward and paused the movie. I looked over at Elizabeth Bennett as she stared into the distance, one of the most beautiful shots in cinematic history, and swallowed hard. Because I didn’t think I’d be able to ever visit that place. That I’d be able to make that hike.
“I remember your brother said that you got sick when you were younger, and then you came to live with him. But he didn’t give me the details. Only that he was fucking scared.”
