Page 64 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

The pizza boxes are mostly empty, the snacks picked through. Looks like the food portion of the evening is over.

“For bowling?” I ask.

That’s probably what AJ has planned for the rest of the night.

To my surprise, he shakes his head.

“Nope. There’s something else down there I didn’t show you.”

“Well, then yeah, let’s go downstairs!”

My enthusiasm is only half-authentic. I’m still stressed at the thought that I’m AJ’s dirty little secret.

Nicole, Daisy, Josh, Jack, and I follow AJ down the stairs into the basement.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. The last time I was down here, AJ and I had sex. That obviously won’t happen tonight because my friends are here, but my panties are wet anyway. Despite my worries about AJ, I’m still sexually attracted to him. Maybe we can sneak away from the group for a little fun…

My thoughts are interrupted when AJ takes us past the bowling alley through a door I hadn’t noticed before. It opens to a dark room with a huge, white screen on one side.

Not only does he have a bowling alley, but AJ also has a movie theater in his basement?

What doesn’t AJ have? If I lived here, I would probably never leave the house. I can’t believe he never uses that incredible kitchen upstairs. I’m sure he’s busy being a doctor, but still! A kitchen like that deserves to be used. Maybe he’ll let me use it sometimes. I could make so many incredible recipes with his shiny, new appliances.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Daisy says, stunned.

AJ laughs. “I’m not. I like movies.”

“Clearly. This is insane. The couches look comfortable.”

“They are. Sit wherever you want. I’ll make popcorn.”

I expect AJ to go upstairs for the microwave. Instead, he wheels out an actual movie popcorn maker and gets it going. This man is full of surprises, and I like it.

If only he liked me as much as I like him. If he did, we’d be in a real movie theater instead of in his basement.

“What do you guys want to watch?” AJ asks.

“Something funny,” Nicole suggests. “Keep the mood light.”

The rest of us agree, so AJ picks a comedy from his collection and gets it started in the projector. That’s right – he has an actual projector system setup. It truly is like a regular theater, except it’s protected from the prying eyes of real people.

Each couple chooses their own couch. AJ prepares three buckets of popcorn before joining me on one of the fluffy couches. It’s a lot more comfortable than the one in my apartment. I even like it better than the leather couch we made out on earlier.

I curl against AJ’s side as his arm wraps around my shoulder.

We’ve all seen this movie before, so we chat while it plays. I mostly stay quiet, only getting involved when someone talks to me directly. I was excited about this triple date, but now I feel weird about it. I’m not in the mood to pretend I’m okay with being hidden.

AJ plays with my hair as the movie goes on, but I’m hardly paying attention to anything. I just want to be in bed right now. Today has been more draining than I expected it to be.

When the movie ends, Daisy and Jack get up from the couch, both yawning.

“We have to get going. We only have our babysitter until eleven.”

They have about fifteen minutes to get home, which shouldn’t be too difficult. If they’re late, the babysitter charges a ridiculous amount of money.

“We should go, too,” Nicole says. “It’s getting late.”

All of us head up to the main hallway. Sensing that Daisy, Nicole, and I need privacy, AJ takes Jack and Josh into the den to show it off.

As soon as we’re alone, Nicole and Daisy squeal and hug me.

“Girl, you found a winner! I’m so happy for you!”

I fake a smile as best I can. “I’m glad you approve.”

Nicole sees through my mask. “What’s up? I thought the night was a success.”

I keep my voice low so AJ won’t hear. “I don’t know. Don’t you think it was weird that we stayed here instead of going out?”

“The guy has a movie theater in his basement,” Nicole says. “He’s not your ex; he’s a great guy. Cut him some slack.”

“I’ll try.”

“Seriously, Amber, it’s okay. I didn’t get the sense that he was embarrassed by you. I think you’re still hurt from your ex, and that’s understandable, but don’t take it out on AJ, okay? You seem to have a good thing going here. Don’t pull back because you’re insecure. Maybe you should talk to him about your feelings.”

Daisy and Nicole pull me in for a hug as the guys come back. AJ and I stand at the door and watch my friends head toward the subway stop a block away.

Today was a success, technically. I’m glad my friends approve of AJ. I just wish I felt the same.

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