Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Don’t you want any?”
“I’m good. I’ll make something else tomorrow.”
“If I promise to do the dishes again, can I come back for dinner tomorrow night?”
I laughed as I pressed the lids into place. “Sure. We can watch another movie.”
“Can I choose it?”
“Nope. That’s not how this works.” I set the containers on the table by his keys and hopped up on the counter to the left of the sink as he finished loading the dishwasher.
“So what was your favorite scene in Titanic?” I asked.
“I didn’t know there would be a quiz.”
I nudged his leg with my foot. “It’s not a quiz. We’re just talking about the movie. We’re exploring and comparing our feelings.”
“I’m not sure I had a favorite scene. What about you?”
“Hmmm, my favorite is probably the scene where he’s drawing her.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s looking at her the way she wants him to look at her. He’s seeing the real her, or at least a side of herself she hides from everyone else.”
“The naked side?”
“No! The side that’s showing her trust in him. She’s so vulnerable in that moment.”
“Got it.”
“But of course, I also like the scene in the car, where she says, ‘Put your hands on me.’ Or maybe the scene where he gives her the note that says make it count.” I sighed. “You just know that moment changes everything. I love a moment that changes everything.”
He reached for the dish towel and began drying his hands. “But if you keep doing the same things all the time and never take a risk, nothing will ever change. For example, I’d be playing shirtless lifeguards for the rest of my life—well, until I got too old to play them. Then I’d be playing the freewheeling, troublemaking uncle with good hair. And then when I aged out of that role, I’d be playing the well-meaning but clueless single dad whose kids end up teaching him all the important lessons in life.”
I blinked. “Wow. You’ve really thought about this.”
“In Hollywood, there just aren’t that many options once you’re a certain age. Unless you’re a big movie star.” He turned around so he was leaning back against the sink, his hands draped over the edge in a way that made his deltoids bulge against the sleeves of his T-shirt. “Which is why I’m hoping to change my luck. What about you? If you make safe choices all your life, where will you be?”
“Serving up the same old burgers, fries, and milkshakes at Moe’s, I guess.”
He shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“No?”
“No. You’re going to build a name for yourself. You’re going to do your own thing.”
“You sound awfully confident about that, Dashiel Buckley.”
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
And then some force of nature, some gravitational pull, was acting on the muscles in my body, and I found myself leaning toward him slightly. He lifted his chin, tilted his head. Our mouths were so close I felt his breath on my lips. Bells began to chime.
Wait, bells?
Startled, Dash and I jumped apart, and I realized it was the alarm on my phone, reminding me to take my birth control pill. Jumping down off the counter, I located my purse on a kitchen chair, dug around in it for my cell, and turned it off. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem. Guess I’ll take off,” he said, grabbing his keys and the leftover containers.
“I’ll walk you out.” I put a hand over my fluttering stomach and followed him to the front door on wobbly legs.
He stepped onto the porch, immediately looking down at his feet. “Soft spot here. You should maybe replace some of these boards.”
“Your dad said the same thing,” I told him with a sigh. “It’s on the list, along with repairing the railing. But first I have to finish painting the guest room. I got it all taped off and primed last week—I even bought the paint—and then I cut myself, so I can’t manage the roller.”
“I could help you paint,” he offered.
I laughed. “Are you that worried about your karma? You already accompanied me to the hospital, worked a shift at the diner, and took my car to have it fixed. How did you even get here tonight?” I squinted at the vehicle parked on the curb.
“Borrowed my dad’s car. Don’t forget agreeing to Show and Tell in Mrs. Fletcher’s second grade classroom at Paddington Elementary.”
I grinned. “When is that?”
“Next week. But I’m not offering to do this stuff for good karma, Ari. I’m offering because I genuinely want to help you.”
“I appreciate it. I just don’t want to monopolize the time you’re supposed to be spending with family.”
“You are family,” he said with a smile that melted my insides. “Anyway, thanks again for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” Those were the words that came out of my mouth. In my head were others. Don’t go. Kiss me. Stay the night.