Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Those are the types of places our first official date should be at. Not this place.”
Reid reached for his hand and held it. “If we didn’t know each other, would you bring me here?”
He looked around and shook his head. “Honestly, no. It’s because of this.” He pointed to his chest. “That’s why we’re here.”
“Grayson.” She said his name softly. “We can go to all those places and still eat healthy. It’s all in what you order. No one’s saying you can’t have a nice meal; you just have to watch things more carefully. Would you like to go someplace else?”
He pushed his salad forward and nodded. “Yes, but first, we have tickets to the movies. The Heritage Palace is showing The Notebook. It’s been twenty years now.”
A wave of excitement coursed through Reid. She smiled brightly. “And you bought us tickets?”
Grayson blushed and nodded. “I knew it was your favorite.”
She tapped her feet on the floor and let out a squeal. “After the movie, we’ll go get dessert.”
“Aren’t you hungry?” he asked her.
“Yes, but let’s get popcorn.”
Finally, the smile Reid loved so much was back. Grayson cleaned away the disposable cartons and then held the door for her. Once they were outside, she put her hand back where he had placed it, and she realized then that they were almost like a scene out of her favorite movie. Only she and Grayson wouldn’t let seven years pass between them. He wanted to change things now.
The Heritage was one of the oldest theaters in DC, and luckily for Reid and Grayson, it was within walking distance of their complex. They often showed foreign and indie films. They didn’t have new releases or any of the box office hits. Reid and Melanie often went when she was in town, but this would be Reid’s first time with Grayson.
The circular ticket booth with a brass-framed window sat under a large marquee displaying the names and times of the two movies that were playing. Red carpet, and at one time probably velvet, greeted patrons before they went through two double doors to the lobby. The concession stand smelled of freshly popped popcorn.
Reid guided Grayson to the counter, where they ordered a large popcorn with butter, a box of hard-shelled candies, and two sodas. Reid carried the popcorn and handed the usher their tickets.
“Theater one,” he said as he ripped the tickets in half and gave the stubs to Reid. Because Grayson carried their drinks, Reid opened the door for them. He stuck his foot out, jamming it against the door.
“Ladies first.”
Reid beamed, and it was silly to do so. Grayson wasn’t the type of guy not to hold the door for her or carry things for her, but tonight was different. He wanted tonight to feel different. Reid chose the top row, in the middle. This was normal for them, anytime they went to the movies. Grayson was tall, and Reid always felt bad for anyone who got stuck behind him.
The seats were worn and uncomfortable. They weren’t there for comfort but nostalgia. Grayson set their drinks down on the floor and put his arm around Reid, tickling her shoulder. The problem with older theaters was that while they had upgraded their screens, they hadn’t upgraded the seats, and the pesky armrest was there. Last year, they’d gone out with Pearce and his then girlfriend to a newly remodeled theater where you could sit in a love seat or in an oversize recliner. Reid had fallen asleep after getting too comfortable.
After she’d handed Grayson the popcorn to hold, she opened the candies and dumped them in. “Give it a shake,” she told him.
“I forgot you like to do this,” he said as he carefully tossed the popcorn, creating a sweet-and-salty mixture.
“It’s been a bit since we’ve gone to the movies.”
“I don’t even remember the last one we saw.”
Reid gave it a thought for a moment and then shook her head. “Nope, me neither.” She brought her legs up, tucking them under her and to the side, which forced her to lean closer to Grayson. He placed the popcorn bucket in the pocket she’d created and relaxed a bit. When the previews came on the screen, he picked up a piece of popcorn and fed it to her. A first for them. And something she wouldn’t forget.
Halfway through the movie, Reid rested her head on Grayson’s shoulder. He angled his body the best he could to be somewhat closer to her and tried to drape his hand more over her shoulder. Every so often he would feed her popcorn, and when she found one of the candies, she’d give it to him.
When the last three minutes of the movie aired and tears started to fall, Grayson handed her a napkin and tried to hold her as best he could to console her. She glanced at him and, with the illumination coming from the screen, saw he had tears in his eyes.