Page 46 of One Pucking Destiny

He shakes his head. “Okay, well, we can’t start withEndgamefor obvious reasons. We need to start at the beginning.”

“I’m fine just watchingEndgame. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”

“I’m not worried about you not enjoying it. But you can’t fully appreciate it unless you know the back story of the characters. Take your favorite book series, for example. Would you recommend it to a friend but tell them to read the last book first?”

“Well, no.”

“There you go. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”

I bite my lip. “But aren’t there a bunch of movies? That would take hours.”

He nods. “Seventy-five hours to be exact.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Bash, we’re not watching seventy-five hours of TV right now!”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course not. But we can start, and we have to do this right. So do you want to grabsome movie snacks and drinks while I set upCaptain America?”

“Sure.” I hop off the bed. “Hand me your plate.” Bash hands me the plate with the rest of his uneaten dinner, and I head down to the kitchen.

After I revealed the subtle treachery that resulted in my win, I wasn't sure how it'd go, but Bash took it well. And now, we’re back to being friends.

Friends.

Justfriends.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

ARI

Inever want to leave this bed. Bash’s bare chest rises and falls in slumber against my back. His arm wrapped around my waist at some point during the night, pulling me closer to him. I had the best night of sleep, my little spoon fitting into his big one as if they were always meant to be that way.

While I’m not used to actually sleeping with others, I’ve never been so comfortable doing so. Snacking on sugar all night left me crashing somewhere betweenDoctor StrangeandIron Man, the second and third movie in Bash’s Marvel marathon.

It was fun experiencing this fictional universe with him. It was clear that Bash has not only watched the movies several times but has also read up on them. Hekept whispering little facts about the making of the movie or hidden meanings in a scene I wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.

I’m not too stubborn to admit that it was adorable. Heck, Bash is adorable, so as much as I don’t want to, I need to get out of this bed. It’s all feeling too comfortable, which leads to complacency, and the next thing I know, I’m going to be throwing my convictions out the window for a life on Bash’s arm. I wasn’t born to be anyone’s arm candy.

There are friends, and then there’sthis. While nothing sexual happened last night, it almost feels as if what we’re doing now is worse. We’re getting too comfortable with one another, and the kind of love that seeps in during the quiet moments is the kind that stays. Anyone can shout boldly about love with flashy gestures. The fanfare goes away eventually. It’s the sweet moments behind closed doors, the genuine affection that threatens to expose me.

Holding my breath, I slowly lift Bash’s arm. His muscles twitch, and his hold on me tightens, pulling me back into his chest.

“Not yet,” he grumbles, half asleep behind me.

I rub his arm. “I have to go.”

“Too sleepy.”

“You stay here and sleep. I’m getting up.”

“Ari, I’m too comfortable to move.”

“Then don’t move.”

“I need you here. You’re part of that comfort.”

The corners of my mouth tilt up in a grin. “Bash,” I sigh. “I really should go. I think we’re a little too comfortable.”

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