Page 136 of Snap Shot

“Give you a strip show.” His full-body roll is somehow both stiff and too fluid, kind of like those wacky inflatable waving tube-men that car dealers always have.

I shake my head along with the popcorn in the lidded pot, coating it with any leftover oil. It gets a sprinkling of salt before I transfer it to a bowl.

“You done, Magic Mike? It's movie time.”

“Wait, is that what we're watching?” Landon trails behind me, fingers still hooked into my sweater.

“No way.Mean Girlsis the only acceptable movie to watch today.”

“Why today?” He stops at the living room rug.

“This is a safe space, Radek. No need to pretend you don't know.”

“Idon'tknow.”

“Sure, sure. We'll see what's what when your favorite lines come up.” I click the play button.

“What favorite lines? I don't know any lines from this movie.” Landon sits facing the TV as I relax into the corner of the couch. He moves my legs over his lap, curling an arm around my bent knees hovering over his thighs.

“Shhh. It's starting.”

We alternate scooping handfuls of popcorn from the bowl resting on my lower belly as the movie plays, fingers lingering at the slight contact when they reach at the same time. It's a far more innocent exchange than we've had recently and has my hormones raging like a teenager. The way his free hand lightly caresses my shin repeatedly almost makes me forget what's coming. The scene approaches and we share a knowing glance.

Landon plays along, asking Aaron Samuels simple question. I recite the famous October third line with a smirk, in chorus with Lindsay Lohan, and eye his reaction. A half-moon dimple appears through his stubbled cheek.

I knew it. No man in this generation with a sister hasn't seen this movie a thousand times.

The sincere, hearty laugh that follows belts from his gut is like the first ray of sunshine warming the morning summer sky. It vibrates against my outer thigh and fills my chest with the coziest sense of comfort.

“How could I forget it wasMean GirlsDay?” His eyes flick to my mouth, their pupils growing as the blues lessen like an ebbing wave.

“No idea,” I whisper. The way my heart pounds whenever he's around is becoming impossible to brush off.

He blinks and clears his throat, looking toward the kitchen. “I'm gonna grab a glass of water. Want some?”

“Sure, thanks.”

I watch his round ass bounce as he trots to the kitchen. My mouth waters. I shovel a large handful of popcorn into it, like a salty dam. He pops it back when he notices my gawking.

“Enjoying the view?”

A sheepish blush creeps up my neck and colors my cheeks at my dazed non-response.

“You like that?” Landon flexes, clenching his cheeks together while holding onto the counter, gray sweatpants cinching in his ass crack. “I can twerk if you're into it.” He clenches them again.

I blink in equal parts awe and annoyance.

“Stoppp.” Chortles sputter past my lips. Doors clunk open and shut as he searches for the glasses. “You donotknow how to twerk.”

“Yes-huh, I do. Wade taught the whole team. I'm one of the better students, I'll have you know—ahhh!” A pile of ridiculously-sized bags of Lindt melting chocolate avalanche comically onto his face and forearms when he opens the wrong cabinet. “What…what is this?”

I slink under the top edge of the couch, hiding so he can only see me from the eyes up. “They were on sale at Costco.”

“Oooh, a wholesale girl. I love it.” He tosses the three-pound bag between his hands. “I buy Twinkies from there. But this?” His eyebrow perks while reading the label. “This seems excessive even for someone who likes chocolate as much as you do.”

“That's not for eating.” I roll my eyes. “I mean it is, but not straight up.” Not many know about my side hustle, but we've mouthed each other's private parts so I might as well tell him. “I make chocolate bars.”

Curiosity peaks in his gaze.

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