Page 72 of Play On

“I’m blocking you out so I can concentrate.”

I snicker at that, and he smiles.

“Oh, these are a must,” he says. “Toffee bonbons.”

“Ooh, so close. One more point.”

“Right,” Noah says, carefully studying the bins in front of him. “All right. strawberry lips for the win.”

I grin as he adds a bunch to his cup. “I knew you’d do it! You’re right. strawberry lipsarea must. So you have officially earned five points and have qualified for the Violet Banfield pick and mix seal of approval.”

“When can I claim my kiss?” he asks, his voice low.

Ooh!

“No, no, first you need to see how you’re packing your sweets all wrong,” I say playfully.

Noah groans and I ignore him.

“Now this is my patented, time-tested technique to get as many sweets as possible in your cup. I can’t do it tonight because it crams the cup full and makes it impossible to eat here in the cinema, but it’s perfect for when you are in a shop and getting some to take home.”

Noah’s face is lit up in amusement and I’m proud that I’m the one making him smile like that.

“Understood. Go on.”

I explain how you pack the softer items at the bottom, and you always tamp it down as you go to get more space.

“Then you stand the strawberry and crème cables upright, around the edges when your cup is pretty full, and that leaves a hole in the middle for more sweets. This is where I put the fudge,” I say.

“Right.”

“And I always put the bonbons and chocolate beanies on top to finish.”

“But does that really give you more sweets, or is it just arranged differently?”

“No, it absolutely does,” I insist.

“Hmm. We might have to try this again, but weigh our contents to see who got more.”

“I will accept that challenge.”

“Go on, Violet, pick yours.”

I don’t move. I hesitate for a moment, gather my courage, and then speak from my heart.

“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re the only man I’ve given this test to,” I say softly. “I’ve wanted this date for a long time. It’s always been a dream datefor me, as stupid as that sounds. Because I wanted to go out with someone who could be fun and silly and just enjoy something as simple as picking sweets and watching a film together. I wasn’t sure I’d ever find someone who would embrace this part of me. The part that can be completely silly and ridiculous. But you did. And I know in my heart that I was only meant to have this date with you.”

Noah appears surprised by my words. He takes a moment, and then clears his throat before speaking.

“I like this side of you,” he says softly. “You’re fun, Violet. You make melaugh. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this, and now I see it’s something that has been missing from my life. I feel so good when I’m around you. You make me want to break out of this damn cage I’ve put myself in and do things like fill a cup with pick and mix and pass a test about it. So I need to thank you. Thank you for saving this date for me.”

I can’t breathe. There’s so much in what he just said, things I want to know more about, questions I want to ask—but now isn’t the time or place for it. But the fact that Noah sees this date in the same way that I do—that it’s something special—causes happiness to surge through me.

“You know I’m a big fan of previews,” I say.

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