Page 75 of Unspoken Hearts
She pulls me towards the brightly lit concession stand with menu boards, a popcorn machine and a drinks stand.
Looking at all of the options, I feel Reid standing behind us. His energy alone makes my heart hammer.
Grayson lets out, “Popcorn and chocolate is the only way to go.”
Laynie nods in agreement, turning back to him. “But it has to be peanut chocolates.”
“Duh,” Grayson drawls.
Reid makes a noise, and I peer up at him as he rubs his stubbled jaw. “I like snakes.”
I gasp, smiling widely and lightly pushing him in the arm. “Snakes are my favourite.”
Pale eyes blink down at mine, and Reid’s grin widens.
Grayson’s narrowed gaze flicks between the both of us, and I smile up at him, trying not to let Reid’s words affect me. “Snakes are the best lollies.”
He looks back at Reid before grumbling, “You two can enjoy those atrocities while I have my peanut chocolates with L.”
“Fine.” I poke my tongue out at him before biting down on my lip.
I can’t believe Reid likes snakes as well.
Grabbing our snacks and tickets, we all make our way upstairs to the top. This movie theatre is an old renovated stage show building. The walls are decorated with intricate carvings, painted cream, gold and light green, which match the extravagant ceiling and chandeliers.
We sit up on the balcony, which I think has a better view of the big screen that used to be the backdrop for the theatre. Large speakers now hang from the wings, and the chairs that used to be old fabric ones are newer and leather. The stale smell of popcorn mixed with vintage ink and dust mingles in the air as we file into the front row where we can prop our feet up onto the railing.
I shuffle down the row, following behind Delly, Laynie and Grayson. Reid is right behind me, quietly following as Sawyer and Cole take up the rear. Holden stayed home with Aspen and claimed that they needed some more bonding time, but I’m fairly sure he just needed space from his brothers.
Placing my bag down on the floor, I sit back in the comfortable seat. Reid holds out the cup of popcorn to me. Taking it, I peer up at him and smile easily. He always has that effect on me, like he can sense when I’m tense and somehow calms me with a simple grin. But I like his grin.It’s warm and masculine, lighting my body with wild flames of heat like a wildfire burning deep within.
Toes curling in my boots, I let out a small, “Thank you,” before looking down at the bag of lolly snakes in his hands. “You’re in charge of the snakes, then. And please save me a pink one. That’s my favourite flavour.”
He frowns ever so slightly before his words surprise me. “I thought caramel was?”
I feel my cheeks blushing bright pink as I blink at him.
How does he remember that?
I shake my head. “That’s with ice cream, but there’s no caramel snakes, although now I wish it was a thing.”
“Oh, right,” he breathes out, sounding a little embarrassed. He opens up the bag and holds it for me. I look in and pull out a pink one, grinning ear to ear before tearing off a bit and swallowing it with a piece of salted popcorn.
My eyes shut with pure bliss before looking back at his light eyes watching my every move like I’m the most fascinating thing. “You have to mix them,” I tell him, ignoring the way my skin prickles all over. “That way you get both the sugar and the salt in each bite.”
Pausing for a moment, Reid follows my lead, popping both in his mouth. He groans lightly. “You’re right. That’s the best way.”
“See.” My brows rise as the lights dim in the theatre.
Settling into my chair, the movie begins, diving right into a battle between two sets of cowboys, with horses galloping and dust spraying. Loud music vibrates my chair. I feel myself getting sucked into the scene.
I reach for more popcorn. A hand hits mine, and I freeze, eyes dropping to see Reid’s hand digging into the popcorn. It sends sizzling nervesracing through my blood and I try focusing on the fight scene, but all I can think about is how alive my body feels next to his.
Swallowing, I try controlling my drumming heart rate when I feel him leaning over, mouth brushing against the shell of my ear. It instantly makes my insides bloom with heat.
“Sorry,” is all he whispers.
His tone is soft and smooth, like warm drizzled honey. I look up at his straight face—handsome, chiselled and sombre. My gaze drops for a second to his lips, wanting to kiss them once more, but I rein myself in.
