Page 22 of The Expiration Date

“I guess I’m just surprised you have a favorite romantic comedy. Or that you watch romantic comedies at all. It’s my favorite, too.” I stretch my arm as far as it can go to reach the bowl of popcorn.

“Now, what kind of actor would I be if I didn’t try to watch the best films of all time?” He does have a point. “You know you can move closer to the middle of the couch if you want some popcorn. I don’t bite.”

I know this is true. I don’t know why I feel so nervous all of a sudden. I’ve sat next to Aidan countless times, but it’s always been in a professional setting or at events for work. Never when I’m basically half-naked. In his apartment. Late at night.

I scooch a little closer to the bowl. “Satisfied?”

“Immensely.” He smirks and presses play.

The next hour and a half fly by. As the credits are rolling and I’m drying my tears (because yes, I cry every time at the end of this movie, even though I’ve seen it more times than I can count), we got into an argument about the whole premise of how men and women cannot remain friends after they have sex. I am on the side of Billy Crystal. I firmly believe sex changes everything. It complicates things. Aidan is on Team Meg Ryan. He says it doesn’t make a difference.

I point at him. “You cannot separate your emotions for a person you sleep with. I guess that’s why I’ve never been involved in a one-night stand.”

Aidan’s eyes grow very wide. “Never?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

“Wow, that’s surprising.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” He gives me another one of his iconic smirks and raises his eyebrows in an accusatory way.

“You can’t make a comment like that and make a silly face like that and say it doesn’t mean anything. Spill, Stone.” I readjust my position on the couch so I am cross-legged, fully facing him. I realize I scooted closer and closer to him as the movie was playing. I don’t know how that even happened. I felt like every time I wanted more popcorn, the bowl was just past my reach. I am probably only a foot away from him now. The only thing separating us is that damn bowl of buttery deliciousness that is, unfortunately, empty.

Aidan seems to inch a little closer. “All I meant was that it surprises me you haven’t had any one-night stands. I guess I’ve had my fair share and it’s just rare to hear someone say they’ve never experienced that. It must be nice. I am happy for you. Especially if you believe that sex changes things. That means you’ve protected your heart. Lessening the chance of it ever being broken.”

I raise an eyebrow. “A lot of good that did me. I have definitely still experienced heartbreak and let me tell you, I am not a fan.” I take a drink of my water. As I am swallowing, I hear, “So what’s your number?”

I nearly spit out the entire contents of my mouth and start coughing. Why does Aidan Stone want to know my number? What can he possibly do with that information? “I beg your pardon?”

“What’s the number of men you have slept with? Hey, don’t look at me like that. This is pertinent information to know. I don’t know, what if Anna decides to quiz me on something like that? I know you girls talk. If we want our relationship to seem legit, I need to know pretty much everything, Swann.”

I wipe my mouth one more time. I know he is super serious when he calls me by my last name. And the truth is, he’s right. People may ask questions and for both our sakes, we need to make sure our relationship seems as real as possible.

“Okay.” I point a finger at him. “Now when I tell you, you cannot laugh or judge me.”

His warm hand encompasses mine. “I would never laugh or judge you. Especially not when it comes to something as personal and intimate as your sex life, Hales.”

My insides warm, starting from my fingertips and cascading all throughout my body. Why does that keep happening? God, this guy is good. No wonder the entire world is in love with him. His charm is irresistible.

I cannot believe I am about to tell my number to my boss, the-one-and-only Aidan Stone.

I haven’t been this nervous in a long time.

I take a deep breath and upon my exhale, I whisper, “One.”

“One what?” Aidan takes a drink of his water now.

I look back up at him and repeat, “One”.

I see the dots connect in his brain and he slowly gulps down the water. “One?”

“One.”

“How is that possible, Swann?”

“Geez Aidan, you are making me sound like some sort of freak. And you promised you wouldn’t judge.”

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