Page 11 of Curves of Steel

Settling onto the picnic blanket while Dan goes in search of popcorn, I banish the thought.

Or try to.

It’s harder than I’m ready for.

But it’s ridiculous, right? To feel so inexorably drawn to a person within moments of meeting them?

We’re not in a romance novel. This is real life. Rules and rationality apply.

At least, I thought they do. Now? I’m not so sure.

Dan returns with two heaping paper bags of popcorn just as the sheet affixed to the side of the school building flickers to life in the light of the projector. I’m relieved that we won’t have to talk much for the next few hours.

I’m afraid of how much stronger my feelings for Dan might become.

A movie is safer. Especially this movie. The movie rolls and the music plays and the film title appears on the sheet: Power Rangers.

I try to stop myself, but I can’t help it. I snort.

Dan turns to me. I’m pleased to see his cheeks turning red.

“I, uh, didn’t check to see what movie was showing,” he stammers.

I snort again. “Clearly.”

“However,” he continues, eyes sparkling, “this is a classic film from my youth.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Is that so?”

He nods solemnly. “Vintage, really.”

My snorts turn into full-on giggles. “If you say so, old man.”

Dan winces. “Do you want to leave?”

He’s giving me an out. I could use the excuse of the movie to get out of here.

To my surprise, I don’t want to.

I snuggle close to him on the blanket, inhaling his scent of pine and wood smoke. “Oh, I don’t know,” I say in a teasing tone. “I want to see what happens.”

With you, I add silently.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders. I scoot a little closer, loving how his warmth and steadiness pull me in. I feel safe with Dan, I realize, even though I’ve only known him a short while.

Far safer than I ever felt with Donny.

Is this what love could be like — what itshouldbe like? I’d honestly never considered it. I’d always thought I was the liability, that I was the one making things difficult.

Maybe love doesn’t have to be hard. Maybe it could be as easy as leaning into a man that smells nice and who makes you feel safe, and seeing how far that takes you into forever.

Looking up at Dan with his grizzled jaw and gray-speckled hair and kind eyes, I smile to myself. A girl could get used to this.

Dan

Inever thought watching the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers could be so damn scintillating.

Not that it’s the Rangers that’s got my blood up, of course. It’s Michelle.

---