Page 82 of One Last Verse

Frank grabbed my hand and drew me closer as we mixed with the mass of warm bodies. Being seen with him in public felt both dangerous and exciting. A coat was thrown over his shoulders to conceal the sling, but with his sandy, fashionably disheveled hair and obvious sex appeal, he stood out from the crowd like a sore thumb. Famous people could never blend in. They had something special, something that radiated all around them the same way it radiated from Frank right now, something that turned heads.

The inside smelled like popcorn and hot dogs, and people hurried to their theaters. One of the managers met us in the foyer and showed us to the ticket booth that had just opened up.

Curious glances were sent our way. A few cell phone cameras flashed. It was starting—the madness. In my peripheral, I noted a few people approaching.

“I think you’ve been spotted,” I whispered to Frank as he gave his Amex to the theater employee.

He squeezed my hand. “We’re not hiding, remember?”

“No, but something tells me we’ll be late for the showing.” A rush of anxiety shot through my stomach.

The kid in the booth pulled up the seating chart on a monitor and Frank selected a dozen.

“Why are you buying so many?” I asked in disbelief.

“Trust me, you don’t want to sit next to anyone else when you’re with me.” He grabbed the tickets and the card.

I was regretting my decision to try to be a normal couple for one night. We were surrounded in seconds. Hands with phones shook in the air. Theater security had to step in and ask some of the people to move aside.

“I’m very sorry, guys,” Frank said, his voice firm and commanding. “I’m afraid we don’t have time for photos.” He produced a megawatt smile that was met with a collective gasp.

The crowd quieted to hear him better.

“We don’t want to miss the movie, but if anyone was planning on getting popcorn, we’re headed that way. I’m buying.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Frank dipped his head and whispered against my cheek, “You want popcorn, right?”

“Sure.” I nodded. My face was on fire.

The entire lobby flocked to the concessions area with us. Frank’s hand wrapped around my waist was the only barrier between me and the chaos. I could feel the breaths of strangers on my back. I could feel their adoration, their curiosity, their desire. Men and women of all ages stared at us as if we were alien species.

“I’m buying for everyone.” Frank handed his Amex to the cashier and motioned at the crowd. “You can hold on to the card. We’ll grab it after the show.”

Dozens of popcorn bags rustled behind the counter. Once we received ours, the security guard ushered us to the auditorium. We sat at the far back, surrounded by a bunch of empty seats. Another guard hid in the shadows.

"You really outdid yourself with the popcorn,” I joked.

“You told me I had too much money. I thought I should start feeding the masses.”

“And you decided to start with a movie theater.”

“Practice.” He shrugged. “Before I leave for a third world country.”

“You don’t have to do this to impress me, Frank.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do here.”

“Then why did you buy half the seats?”

“I don’t want people to stare when I do this,” he explained, capturing my mouth with his. It was so sudden, I didn’t have time to react. I gave in to a delicious slow-burn dance of our lips instantly.

On the screen, the trailers played.

“You think you can just kiss me any time you want?” I whispered as our mouths broke apart.

“Oh, I think you want me to.” He grinned, plucking a handful of warm popcorn from the bag.

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