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My plate’s now back on the table, and maybe broken, my drink maybe spilled , and he follows suit just in time as I go flying into his lap. “I love it,” I gush breathily, littering his face with kisses, only coming up for air to say the rest of what I must. “Sutton, this is one of the nicest, most thoughtful things anyone’s ever done for me. And I absolutely love it. I can’t believe you came up with all this… for me.”

“Told ya before, there’s not a whole lot I wouldn’t do for you, babe. And all this lovin’, that smile on your face? Gonna be doing a whole lot more of it.”

“Is this the kind of stuff you put in the jar?”

“Maybe.” He smirks, oh, so sexy.

I fist pump the air and he laughs. “Can I just tell you how glad I now am that I put so much deliberation into making my list?” And he laughs again, much harder this time.

“So, what’d ya think?” I ask once the movie’s over.

“I thought…” he stands and stretches, then walks over and turns the lights back on, “I think I need to take our dog out to go potty. Come on, boy.” Castello darts out the door — because Sutton never puts a leash on him first, like I’ve suggested more times than I can count — and Sutton goes rushing after him.

He didn’t like the movie. What? How can you not like that movie? I clean up our dinner mess while I wait for them to come back in, working off some of the spunk building inside, ‘cause I really don’t wanna ruin the night by fighting about something so silly. But seriously, was he watching the same wonderful movie as me?

“Nice job, buddy. Tell your Mama how good you did,” Sutton’s “Castello voice” alerts me when they’re back, and I instantly whirl around.

“How can you not like that movie?” I screech, and cringe at my own racket, taking deep breaths to help me dial it down a notch… or five.

He chuckles, occupying himself with petting the dog. “I don’t know.” He hitches a shoulder. “I didn’t hate it, I just-”

“Didn’t like it, I’m aware. Why not?”

“Hey, here’s an idea; instead of setting me up to dig myself in a hole, why don’t you tell me why you do like it so much?”

Well, how in the hell am I supposed to keep fighting with him when he turns those twinkling green eyes on high beam, smirks, dimples on full display, and says cute shit like that? He’s growing on me, dammit — this does not bode well for my chances at future victories.

“Sutton, did you miss the beginning? Or the middle? Maybe the end? Could you hear it okay?” My arms are dancing in the air, eyes wide and begging for a plausible explanation. “You must’ve missed a key part in there somewhere.”

“No, I caught all of it. She’s in a coma, not dead, yet, but still somehow already a ghost, haunting his, her old, apartment. They fall in love, he breathes her back to life…” he shakes his head, “so she’s alive again, yada, yada, they live happily ever after. I leave anything out?”

“Uh, yeah, a lot! Probably had room to squeeze it into the ‘yada, yada’ gap.”

“I ever told ya how damn cute you are when you’re all worked up?” He ambles over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me against him. “Adorable. So keep goin’, it’s your turn anyway. Let’s hear your groundbreaking summation.”

“Forget it; doesn’t count if I have to explain it. You either get it or you don’t.”

With one finger, he tilts my chin up, capturing my gaze, his own filled with amusement. “I’ll get the next one, promise. You go grab us a pillow and a blanket; I’ll start it up.”

“We’re gonna watch another one? It’s getting pretty late; I don’t want you to have to drive me home tired.”

“Sweet of you to care, but not a problem. You’re sleeping here tonight.” He kisses the tip of my nose.

“But-”

“But… you didn’t bring any pajamas? No worries, I’m more than willing to let that slide.”

“No.” I roll my eyes while swatting at his chest. “I-”

“Might fall asleep on the couch, and you’re afraid it won’t be comfortable? Gotcha covered again, babe. I’ll carry you to my bed.” He shoots me another wink, knowing it’s his not-so-secret weapon. “Glad we got that settled. Now, you were grabbing us a blanket and I’m on the movie. Oh, you want me to make popcorn?”

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