Page 57 of Surprised By Love

“Part two? It’s not just dinner?”

“No way. I have big plans for us tonight. Vicki told me not to rush to get you back home. So I plan on taking her up on it.”

Josh smiles one of his pantie melting smiles, showing off his amazing dimples. I melt like a pile of snow after the warm sun hits it.

Chapter Twenty-One

Josh

Samgrabsthedessertmenu, and I place my hand over hers. “Part two of our date includes dessert.” I love the fact she isn’t afraid to eat in front of me. She has curves, and it’s a nice change of pace from the girls I’ve been with lately. Most of them are so self-conscious of what they eat, they barely eat what’s on their plate. Sam ate all her pasta and had a taste of mine.

She tilts her head at me. “Where are we going next?”

I grin. “It’s a surprise.”

“I’m not a huge fan of surprises, Josh.” She lets out a long breath. “Every year when I was little, I was the one who snuck around the house looking for presents at Christmas.”

I laugh, picturing her at Emily and Amelia’s age searching the house. It’s something I caught Emily do a time or two. I expect her to ask a million questions about what’s next, but she doesn’t.

“Fine,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest a few seconds later, noticing I’m not giving her any details. The gesture is adorable coming from here and it makes me want to pull her in close.

I remember Sam telling me one day at the diner she loves iconic movies from the eighties, so the plan is to go back to Sunset Creek to the Sunset Cinemas. Where they’re showing The Breakfast Club on one of the screens.

Ramona brings us the bill once we finish our meal. Sam tries to pay for her share, but I won’t have any of that. I asked her out, so I’m going to pay. “My grandfather would have my head if he heard my date paid for anything. I know it’s old school, but it’s how my brothers and I were raised.”

“Okay, this time. But, one day I’m going to treat you whether you like it or not,” she laughs.

The Sunset Cinemas is an old iconic cinema. It’s been around since the seventies, only holding two theatres. In one they show older movies, the other they show recent releases. I hope she’ll enjoy this surprise.

I pay for the bill and help Sam with her jacket when Ramona comes up to us, turning to face Sam. “Just so you know. It’s not gonna last. He doesn’t do long term, so if that’s what you’re hoping for, you are in for a big surprise.”

Before I could respond, she flips her hair and turns back to the kitchen.

“Again, I’m sorry about that,” I say, placing my hand on Sam’s lower back to escort her out of the restaurant.

She looks up at me as we reach the car. “It’s okay. You don’t have to keep apologizing to me. She’s jealous you took me to a great restaurant, called me baby and held my hand. I’m sure she wanted to be me tonight.”

I kiss her softly on the lips. “Well, I, for one, am glad it was you tonight and not her.”

Sam’s eyes light up when I pull into the parking lot of Sunset Cinemas. “We’re going to a movie?”

“We are. That okay with you?”

She reaches over and grabs my hand. “I’m so okay with that. I haven’t been to a movie in so long. What are we going to see?” she says, bouncing in her seat.

I love how something so simple as going to a movie is making her so excited. She is not like any girl I have ever dated, not that I can call what I’ve been doing since Christine dating. She enjoys the small things and is happy without the extravagant things most women I’ve met lately are into.

We enter the cinema, and she sees the poster for The Breakfast Club and squeals. She actually squeals. “Oh, my God. Please tell me we are going to see that?”

I nod, and she jumps into my arms. Taking me by surprise, I take a step back, not wanting us to fall. “I take it you like that movie?”

“I love it! It’s one of my all-time favourite movies. Are we getting popcorn?”

“Of course. What is a movie without popcorn?” I say, gently placing her down and I take her hand, leading her towards the concession stand.

“This place hasn’t changed at all,” she says, taking in the well worn red carpet and vintage concession stand.

Once in the auditorium, she squeals again. “This is so awesome. It brings back so many happy memories.” She stands at the top of the stairs looking around, smiling. Red and gold carpeting line the stairs. The seats are some sort of red velvety fabric. It is a far cry from the modern cinema in Pineridge Falls with their reclining leather seats.

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