Page 56 of The Penalty

“Maybe.”

“Science fiction?”

Victoria rolled her eyes, grabbed the remote, and pulled up the menu. “Look at me.”

I happily obliged because looking at her was all I really wanted to do anyway.

“Tell me when to stop scrolling. But you can’t look at the screen. No cheating.”

No problem. I could study the delicate lines of her profile all night. Soft, wavy hair pulled up in a loose bun. Long lashes framing gorgeous eyes. Lips made for hours of kissing.

More than a few seconds passed before I told her to stop.

“Finally,” she giggled. “Oooh good choice.”

I glanced at the television.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

“The Lion King.” Victoria’s cheerful reaction did nothing to stop my muscles from locking up with tension. “A classic.”

She lowered the lights, grabbed a blanket, and cozied up next to me.

I remained quiet while the sweeping opening scene played, sneaking glances at Victoria. She had the most captivating smile on her face and her eyes widened with joy. This was probably a childhood favorite for her.

“Charlotte and I used to watch this all the time,” she said, confirming my thoughts. “We sang Hakuna Matata so much it drove my mother crazy.”

Once Scar lost his lunch, she turned to face me, still smiling. “Don’t tell me you’ve never seen it.”

A better man wouldn’t have tried to come up with fake answers. But it’s her and the truth fell out of me before I could stop it. “My dad and I would watch it together on my birthday.”

Victoria’s expression softened. “Oh. We can watch something else.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. Besides, I like seeing how happy it makes you.”

“When is your birthday anyway?”

“October.”

She stared at me with an expectant look in her eyes. When I didn’t say anything further, she shook her head in frustration.

“The whole month? Or do you pick a random day each year?”

“Keep sassing me and your ass will be red before Simba reaches the water hole.”

“Promises.”

“So much trouble.” I paused. “The twenty-fifth.”

“Was that so hard?”

We fell into a comfortable silence as the movie played on. Victoria snuggled into my side and rested her head on my chest. I felt her tense up during the traumatic wildebeest scene. It always bugged me as well when I was younger. Good thing my fa—

No fucking way. I shook myself right out of that shit. I’m not going to let these bloody animated lions get the best of me.

“I wrote a thesis on Hamlet and The Lion King when I was in college,” Victoria said out of nowhere.

A surprised laugh fell out of me. “Why?”

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