Page 22 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“I don’t understand the joke,” I admit after one very awful scene. I hope to glean some kind of deeper understanding of what apparently makes this movie so incredible. But Sarah looks up at me in shock. My chest tightens, hoping I didn’t just insult one of her favorite movies.

“Joke? The joke is that this is an awful movie,” Sarah says with a smirk.

“Oh, thank goodness,” I sigh. “I was worried I was missing something.”

“Nope. It’s just bad all around. That’s why I love it,” she says. Sarah lays her head back on my shoulder and sighs dreamily. “Everyone put their all into this film, and it still came out so bad. You have to admire that sometimes. They tried and somehow failed so hard they succeeded.”

I let that nugget of wisdom wash over me. Even if you end up failing this hard, somewhere out there is someone who will see you for what you are instead of what you aren’t. I like that. Something about the sentiment lightens my heart, and I suddenly start to actually like the movie.

I tighten my grip around Sarah’s shoulders, holding her close to me as we laugh at the contrived plot together. The couple gets married at the end, with the final joke being a pot-bellied pig catching the bride’s bouquet. It makes no sense and comes out of nowhere, and we can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

“And that’s how they end it?” I ask as the credits roll.

“Right? Not the couple living happily ever after. But with a pig that was never in the movie, because the one shot that established her existence was cut.” Sarah’s still laughing and her eyes are glowing with tears, cheeks red as strawberry soda. She wipes the tears away with the back of her hand and notices her watch.

“Oh, this is about when the kids eat dinner,” she says.

“Mm-hm, it should be done by now.”

Despite that fact, we sit there a little longer. Sarah gazes into my eyes as some cheesy soft rock love song plays over the credits.

It’s too perfect an opportunity not to take. I lean in and kiss her.

Sarah moans gently, pushing back against my lips with her own. It’s warm and soft and absolutely electrifying. The contact sparks an explosion of buried feelings throughout my body, and all of my instincts scream to take her right here and now.

But I don’t want to push her this quickly. So I pull back and brush my hand against her cheek. We can always discuss this further after dinner.

12

SARAH

“Hey guys, it’s time for dinner!” Noah announces, bursting into the theater. Greg and I quickly lean apart from each other. The warmth of his sudden yet welcome kiss is lingering on my lips.

“We’ll be right there. Make sure everyone washes their hands,” Greg yells back to him.

“Really? Why?” Noah asks. Greg’s face goes red in embarrassment. I have to imagine keeping up appearances when you’re a little bit wild inside must be difficult.

“Just do it,” Greg replies.

“Okay. But hurry before the burgers get cold!”

I cover my mouth to hide a laugh of familiarity. “I struggle to get Mia and Ethan to brush their teeth. I get it. Vampire kids have very sensitive teeth, and brushing can feel weird to them. Yet it’s just as important for them to have good dental hygiene.”

Greg nods in agreement, but I can tell this is more a matter of nurture over nature. I’ll try not to judge him too harshly.

We arrive in the dining room and find a plate of food in front of seven chairs. Each has a burger, fries, and a small salad. A perfectly balanced meal for kids. I’m delighted he thought of all three of us. Greg’s plate has a triple patty burger. He looks worried as he glances between his and my single patty.

“You can have more if you want,” he says quickly. “It’s just, you know, werewolf appetite.”

“This is perfect,” I say. And it is. The burger looks incredible.

“I want a triple patty burger,” Noah says, looking over his single one with disappointment.

“You can have another burger if you’re still hungry after you clear your plate,” Greg replies.

“Even the salad?” Noah asks with derision.

“Yes.”

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