Page 233 of Something Rad
“Oh, yeah, we are,” I confirm, setting the grocery bag down on the check-out counter. “But we’re not going out tonight.”
“What do you mean? And where are you going?” Cooper calls after me as I make my way to the far side of the store with a step stool I just pulled out from behind the counter.
I wait to answer her until I’m halfway up the steps of the stool, pulling down the old projector screen over the wall.
“Robbie, I– You can’t just do that. We just use that screen for special events and during holidays and theme nights.”
“Yes I can,” I tell her, climbing down from the step stool and folding it closed before I head over to the action section of the store. I scan the shelves for just a couple of moments before I find what I’m looking for, managing to snatch it up and hide it under my arm before Cooper reaches me.
“Excuse me?” Cooper whisper-shouts for some reason behind me as I round the corner of the shelf, moving to the front door to lock it.
“Do you trust me?” I ask.
“When my job is on the line? Not really.”
I walk back to the check-out counter, returning the stool and beginning to dig into the grocery bag once again.
“You sure know your way around this store for someone that has literally never been in here,” Cooper huffs.
“That’s because I talked to Jack,” I say, pulling a can of Jolt and a bottle of Pepsi from the bag.
Cooper’s hands rest against the top of the counter, her brows raising. “I’m sorry,Jack?” she demands. “As in,my boss?Mr. Ritter?”
“Yep, that’s him,” I nod, taking out several options of candy and chocolate bars and an extra large bag of salt and vinegar chips. “Great guy.”
“I’m so confused,” she mutters. “Why did you talk to him?”
“So I could convince him to let me host our first date at his store, obviously.”
Cooper’s eyes go wide. “What? Are you serious?”
“Trying to be,” I tell her.
“That’s… I… You…” Cooper stammers, her bottom lip going into her mouth. “Are we…watching a movie?”
I give her a smirk, pulling out the VHS wedged against my side, and my heart nearly bursts at the look on her face when she realizes.
“We’re watchingTop Gun?”
I think she might cry, and I’m not sure what I’ll do if she does. I vowed I’d never purposely make Cooper cry again. But I’m not sure it still counts if I know for a fact that they’re happy tears.
Her glossy eyes trail from the movie in my hand down to the spread laid out on the counter. “You didn’t have to do all this,” she says, motioning towards it. “We have so many snacks here.”
“But not your favorites.”
I know for a fact, because I asked Jack what they keep in stock.
Cooper’s lips pull up at the sides. “Thank you. This is… This is amazing.”
I reach back into the large bag, pulling out the final item inside. I unroll the blanket, tucking it against my side as I walk around the counter.
“Nothing’s even happened yet, Cooper,” I say.
“And yet, somehow…” she pauses, pursing her lips as she meets my eyes, this still feels like everything.” I reach up, pushing her hair out of her face and cupping her cheek. She shivers against my touch, pulling back like it’s a reflex. Her brows pull together, and she gives me a weak smile as if to apologize. “Thank you,” she says again, stepping closer to me.
“Of course, baby,” I whisper, leaning forward.
Our noses graze, and we just look at each other for a few moments, both of us grinning like idiots and neither one of us knowing exactly what to do next.
