Page 101 of No Way Home
I reached for my door handle, ready to eject myself from the vehicle.
“Hold up,” Bowen ordered, not seeming ruffled by the phone call at all. Then he hopped out to open my door. Cash did the same for Charlie.
Charlie turned in the passenger seat to talk to me. “Bowen missed your friend disclaimer, didn’t he?”
I sighed, shaking my head. “One hundred percent.”
My door whipped open, and Bowen extended his hand, eyes tangled with mine. Friendship, my foot. He thrust his hand closer, insistent.
Fine. He could play gentleman—basic chivalry felt like the least he owed me.
Once I was on my feet, I shoved my hands into my pockets for safekeeping. His expression fell and his shoulders hunched. I felt bad about that, but I would hand over my heart only when I knew it was safe.
A crack of thunder boomed, and one Mississippi later, a bolt of lightning lit up the sky, promising an epic thunderstorm headed our way.
We jogged across the parking lot and under the awning where tickets were sold.
“Two for the new Pixar at 6:10,” Cash told the cashier. Once Cash and Charlie had their tickets, Cash tipped his head toward the lobby. “We’ll meet you by the popcorn.” Thenthey were gone.
I stepped in front of Bowen really fast. “One for the new Pixar at 6:10.” I slid a twenty through the hole in the glass.
The cashier ogled Bowen, eyes in full cartoon mode, like I was invisible.
“Magnolia.” Bowen chuckled behind me, the sound making goosebumps spring up on my neck. “I’m buying your ticket.”
I pretended not to hear and tapped on the glass to get the girl’s attention. “One for Pixar, please.”
Bowen reached around me and slid his credit card through. “She’s mistaken. Two for Pixar. Thanks.”
The cashier’s eyes volleyed between us, uncertain what to do.
“We’re friends,” I tossed over my shoulder. “Remember?”
“Chivalry,” he said, like it was final.
“Boundaries.” I stomped on the toe of his shoe.
“Woman,” he said. “I’m trying to atone.”
“You can atone from the friend zone,” I huffed.
“Here you go,” the cashier said with a sweet smile. She slid Bowen’s card, two tickets, and my twenty back through the hole.
Bowen hooted triumphantly.
“Enjoy the show.” The cashier looked at me like I was nuts—and like if I didn’t want this hottie to spoil me, she’d gladly take him off my hands.
As we walked to the concessions, Bowen exaggerated a limp, wincing with each step, as if I’d crushed his foot.
I glared at him once we were behind Cash and Charlie in line. “That’s what you get.”
His face smoothed, and a smirk appeared, looking perfectly fine. “Sorry, not sorry,” he whispered, spearing me with those intense eyes. “I’ve waitedyearsto sit through ninety minutes of cartoons with you. Let me have this one, please.”
Heat crawled up my neck, and my heart stuttered so hard it felt like everyone in line could hear. “Okay,” I said weakly.
His smirk grew into a sexy, knowing grin, making my heart race even faster.
Charlie hugged their popcorn bucket, Cash scooped up their large soda and some napkins, and they moved to the side.
