Page 13 of Saving Little Clark

I bit my lip, feeling awkward and unsure. But Brody just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that made my stomach flutter.

"I'd love to," he said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my skin. "Let me just make a quick call to cancel my other plans, okay? I'll be right back."

As he stepped away, his phone already pressed to his ear, I felt a giddy rush of warmth bloom in my chest. He was cancelling his plans for me?

Alex, of course, picked up on my dopey grin immediately. "Well, well, well," he said, smirking. "Looks like someone's got himself a movie date. And here I thought you were justtalking."

I rolled my eyes, shoving him lightly. "Shut up," I muttered, fighting back a smile. "It's not a date, it's just hanging out. As friends."

"Sure, sure," he said, nodding sagely. "Just like Will and I are 'friends' who just happen to be sitting very close together on this cozy little blanket."

I glanced over at Will, who was watching Alex with an amused expression. "Hey, I never said I wanted to be your friend, birdbrain," he said, quirking an eyebrow. "I'm just here for the free entertainment. And maybe the eye candy, if you play your cards right."

Alex let out a squawk of indignation, his face flushing beneath his bright plumage. "Excuse you!" he said, puffing outhis chest. "I am not just a piece of meat, sir. I am a highly sought-after commodity on the dating scene. A real catch, if you will."

"Oh, I'll catch you alright," Will purred, leaning in close. "Hook, line, and sinker. But only if you ask nicely."

I watched, fascinated, as the two of them dissolved into a rapid-fire back-and-forth of flirtatious quips and barbs, their eyes locked on each other with an intensity that made the air around us practically crackle with tension.

As much as they tried to deny it, it was clear that there was a real spark between them, a chemistry that went beyond simple attraction.

Brody reappeared at my side, his phone tucked back into his pocket. "All set," he said, smiling down at me. "Ready to watch some classic cinema with me?"

"Always," I said, feeling a smile of my own stretch across my face. "Just don't judge me too harshly if I cry at the end, okay? I'm a total sap for happy endings."

"Duly noted," he chuckled, slipping his hand into mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I make no promises not to tease you mercilessly, though."

Chapter 6: Clark

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we settled onto the soft grass in front of the makeshift screen. As the opening credits ofThe Princess Bridebegan to roll across the giant screen, Brody's solid warmth pressed against my side and our fingers intertwined.

I stretched out on my stomach, propping my chin on my hands as I let myself get swept up in the timeless tale of true love and daring adventure. But even as I lost myself in the story, I couldn't help but be aware of Brody's presence beside me, the heat of his body seeping into my skin like a soothing balm.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Alex and Will exchanging knowing glances, their heads bent close together as they whispered and giggled like a pair of gossiping schoolgirls. I narrowed my eyes, straining to catch snippets of their conversation over the dialogue on screen.

"...totally ship it," Alex was saying, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I mean, have you seen the way they look at each other? It's like something out of a goddamn romance novel."

Will nodded sagely, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, definitely. I give it two hours tops before they're making out behind the concession stand."

I felt my cheeks flush hot with embarrassment and indignation. Were they seriously placing bets on my love life? And right in front of me, no less?

I leaned over to Alex, my voice a harsh whisper. "You know I can hear you, right?" I hissed, poking him in the ribs. "And if you don't cut it out with the matchmaking nonsense, I swear to god I'll hide your lucky Batman socks for a month."

Alex gasped, clutching his chest in horror. "You wouldn't dare! Those are my pulling socks. I need them for optimal flirting performance."

I rolled my eyes, fighting back a reluctant grin. "Then behave yourself, bird brain. Or else the socks get it."

"Ugh, fine," Alex grumbled, pouting like a petulant child. "Forgive me for trying to help my best friend find love and happiness. I'll just sit here in silence like a good little parrot, shall I? You never let me have fun."

But even as he said it, I could see the mischievous glint in his eye, the barely-suppressed laughter tugging at his lips. He was enjoying this far too much, the bastard.

I shook my head, turning my attention back to the movie. But try as I might, I couldn't seem to focus on the swordplay unfolding on screen. My mind kept drifting back to Brody, to the tantalizing brush of his skin against mine as we reached for popcorn at the same time, to the way his eyes seemed to linger on my face when he thought I wasn't looking.

As if sensing my thoughts, Brody shifted closer, his shoulder pressing against mine in a way that felt deliberate, intentional. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.

"You know," he murmured, his voice low and intimate, "this movie always makes me think of my childhood. I used to watch it with my mom on rainy days, curled up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn."

I smiled, the image of a young Brody entranced by the tale of Westley and Buttercup warming my heart. "That sounds nice," I said softly, glancing over at him. "I used to do the same thing with my dad, actually. He's the one who introduced me to all the classic adventure stories.The Princess Bride,The Goonies..."

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