Page 60 of When You Smile

Taryn’s eyes went wide. “Why do I feel like this is a test I’m about to fail?” she asked, shrugging out of her jacket. She accepted her glass, eyes on the screen that hung on the far wall. “Rom-com.”

“Is that what you would choose for yourself?”

A pause. “No.”

Charlie passed her a look.

“I’d be down for an action movie, but only if you’re interested in one, too.”

“Better.” Charlie climbed on the bed. “Let’s always be real with each other, okay? Hard for me too, sometimes, but let’s shoot for that.”

“A new pact. Done”

Charlie arranged the many pillows she had on her bed so they had a comfy little nook to watch the film that Taryn had found and selected for them on the menu. Just as they were settled and about to hit play, Charlie sat up. “What are we doing?”

Taryn quirked a brow.

“We don’t have popcorn with butter.” She widened her eyes and stared at Taryn for a beat. “What kind of heathens are we?”

“Awful, awful people,” Taryn said, then made a spitting sound. “Blech.”

“Be right back.”

Taryn grinned as Charlie scampered from the room. She quickly microwaved a bag of popcorn and promptly topped it with fresh Parmesan, her favorite addition.

“Popcorn and wine,” Taryn stated when she returned with the silver bowl.

“That sounds like commentary. I’ll have you know that it’s an excellent combination. There’s Parmesan on that popcorn, and the wine’s Italian. Bam. Perfectly paired.”

“If you say so,” Taryn said.

Charlie gasped. “The skepticism lacing your voice!”

“You’re attractive when you’re outraged.”

“I will be forced to tackle you. This is serious popcorn business,” Charlie informed her. “You’ve been warned.”

“That you’re defending the honor of a strange snack combination? Sure. Yeah. I hear you.”

“Strange?” Charlie leapt, and Taryn caught her, but she wasn’t fast enough to stop Charlie from getting a couple of fingers into her ribs for the tickle punishment she deserved. Taryn shrieked and squirmed.

“Say you’re sorry.”

“Never!” Taryn yelled, reversing their positions until she was on top. The smile fell right off Charlie’s face when she saw the image of Taryn looking down at her. The room went still, and Taryn slid off to the side, part of her body still covering Charlie’s.

“You know what?” Taryn asked. “Maybe it’s not such a bad combination after all,” Taryn murmured, holding eye contact. She seemed drunk on the moment and lost in their eye contact. Charlie was, too. She reached up and cradled Taryn’s cheek with one hand. They didn’t need words, she realized, as Taryn leaned in to it. Charlie smiled and shifted out from underneath, until they were lying side by side, facing each other. The top of her forehead was pressed to Taryn’s.

“I’m glad you’ve seen the error of your popcorn ways.”

“What’s popcorn?” Taryn asked.

Charlie’s laughter broke the spell, and they both seemed to breathe again. “Maybe we should watch that movie?”

“Yes. That’s all I’m thinking about. A movie. Desperately want to watch people interact on a screen while you’re nearby,” Taryn deadpanned and then tossed in a smile. It was such a classic Taryn response that Charlie translated expertly. She had sexier things on her mind, and to be honest, so did Charlie. The only obstacle was that she was entirely too nervous and in her own head to go there. She’d been sexually active since seventeen, and after the first time, she’d never been intimidated by sex. Yet the concept of her and Taryn did just that. What if she was bad at sex with a woman? What if she missed important signals or fumbled or was a disappointment? She wasn’t sure how well she’d handle that horrific outcome.

Charlie grinned. “Hey. Don’t underestimate the power of The Rock to deliver a really convincing performance.” She tried for levity because that made all of this less intimidating. But as they settled into the film, sharing the popcorn and sipping the wine, Charlie couldn’t keep her attention on much besides the fact that Taryn was next to her, and their thighs were touching while they watched a movie in her bed of all places. She’s in my bed. Charlie blinked, trying to follow the scene in which a helicopter was flying too low, but she lost the thread because Taryn shifted as she reached for the popcorn, and that pressed her in even closer. Charlie’s body flared, sending heat and a wash of sensation…everywhere. She stole a glance at Taryn’s profile, so perfect and sexy and gorgeous. What was she waiting for? What logical person would watch a movie in this moment?

Taryn clearly felt her gaze, turned, and met her eyes. She must have recognized what she saw in them, too, because she quietly took the popcorn bowl and set it aside. She brushed a strand of hair off Charlie’s forehead and looked at her, really looked at her. It made Charlie’s stomach muscles tighten as if she and Taryn were climbing the most terrifying hill on a roller coaster, not at all certain what was on the other side. Yet she wanted Taryn. She’d never felt more sure of anything.

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