Page 81 of Rockstar's Accidental Marriage

Smiling as we leave the nursery, I glance back one last time. The soft yellow walls, the crib, the tiny decorations—our baby is coming, and we’re ready. Or at least, we will be.

Sam grabs my hand and leads me into the hallway, where he turns to me with a playful gleam in his eye.

“Go put on something nice,” he says, his tone casual but firm.

I blink at him. “Nice? For what? We’re not going anywhere, are we?”

He grins, leaning casually against the wall. “Oh, we’re going out, Mrs. Ryder. And I don’t want to hear any excuses. Consider it a date night.”

I tilt my head, curiosity piqued. “A date night? You know we’re kind of limited in our options if you don’t want to be recognized."

“Don’t worry,” he says, producing two small tickets from his pocket and waving them in the air. “I’ve got it covered.”

I snatch the tickets from his hand and read them. “You got us tickets to the blockbuster movie I’ve wanted to see?”

“Yep,” he replies with a self-satisfied grin. “Now, go get ready. And don’t take too long—we’ve got popcorn and candy waiting.”

I laugh as I head to the bedroom, feeling a warm sense of excitement. The idea of going to the movies with Sam feels almost nostalgic as if we’re a normal couple with no complications or rockstar drama.

By the time I’m ready, Sam is waiting by the door, dressed in a nice pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt that hides his tattoos, and a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes.

“Going for the incognito look?” I tease as I grab my purse.

He shrugs. “You know how it is. Can’t have the whole town swarming me for autographs when I’m trying to enjoy a movie with my wife.”

I shake my head but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips as we head out to the truck.

The theater he picked is small and quaint, the kind of place that still has a retro popcorn machine and a marquee out front with glowing letters spelling out the movie titles.

Sam keeps his head down as we head inside, his hand lightly resting on the small of my back. We grab a large tub of buttered popcorn and a box of Raisinets, and Sam insists on getting a giant soda to share despite my protest that I’ll only drink a few sips.

As we settle into our seats near the back, I can’t help but glance over at him, his features barely visible under the shadow of his cap.

“Now that the movie is starting,” I whisper as the lights dim, “you can probably risk taking off your cap and sunglasses.”

“About time,” he whispers back, popping a raisinet into his mouth. “This sneaking around is a pain, but it’s worth it to spend a night out with you.”

His words send a flutter through my chest, and I lean a little closer, the scent of buttered popcorn and his cologne mingling in the air.

The movie is everything I hoped it would be—funny, heartwarming, and just the right amount of cheesy. His dry humor makes me laugh so hard I have to shush him more than once. Yet, every time Sam leans close to whisper comments in my ear, his warm breath sends shivers down my spine. Even in the darkness, doing something as simple as sharing popcorn feels intimate, his fingers brushing mine as we reach into the container. By the time the credits roll, I feel lighter than I have in weeks.

As we leave the theater, Sam takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.

“The night’s not over yet,” he says with a warm glint in his eye.

“Oh?” I ask, letting him lead me to the truck.

“I’ve got one more surprise for you.”

Ten minutes later, we pull up to a small Thai restaurant tucked into a corner of town I’ve never explored. The warm glow of lanterns lights up the windows, and the faint smell of lemongrass and spices drifts through the air as we step inside.

“You’ve been craving spicy food, right?” Sam says as the hostess leads us to a private booth near the back.

I nod, feeling a rush of gratitude. “You’ve been paying attention.”

“Of course I have,” he replies, sliding into the booth across from me.

The menu is filled with options that make my mouth water, and I let Sam take the lead in ordering. He picks out a variety of dishes—spicy pad Thai, green curry, and crispy spring rolls—while I sip on a glass of herbal tea.

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