Page 25 of Last First Time
See, here’s another stupid thing. I’m certain that Reed pretty much never cooks, but he has the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen. It’s ginormous. Bigger than what we have at Riddles, actually. And yet he ends up at my bar every single night, eating some form of burger and fries at my counter and trying to make me laugh.
He almost always succeeds too, that jerk. He’s the only one who always makes me happy, no matter what.
He pulls out his fancy popcorn popper and gets our movie snacks started.
“Reed.” I let my voice drop off as the kernels began to pop. I really do want to tell him about the business, but I don’t want to turn his mind to work instead of a fun night with me.
“What is it, Kar? Popcorn’s almost ready. You wanna get the M&Ms out of the pantry?”
“You’re so gross. Popcorn and M&Ms, ew.” I know it sounds like some sort of Frankenstein snack, but it’s totally delicious. The chocolate gets a little bit melty because of the warmth from the popcorn, and it’s one of the best ideas he’s ever had. But I like to give him crap about it because well, it’s Reed.
He looks over his shoulder at me, and his whole manner seems so easy and happy right then. I want this. I want us both to feel this way as often as possible. Not only with our clothes off, and not only tonight.
I want Reed Harrington IV to be my boyfriend. For real. Oh crap.
“Hey, it’s great about your poll numbers. Does that mean Maryanne is going to have us looking cute in public some more during the next month or so?”
He nods absently. “Yeah, probably. Everyone in Valentine seems to really like that we’re together.”
“About that—” I pause, uncertain what to say next.
“Yes?” His head lifts at a slight angle, making his hair go all rumpled over his forehead. I want to smooth it, but I also want to mess it up.
“Are we really doing this, Reed? This me and you thing?”
He reaches for me and tucks me against his body. “We are definitely doing this. As often as I can talk you into it, as a matter of fact.” He leans toward me, his whisper in my ear. “I’m the person who likes us together the most, you know.”
Well, crap. There he goes making me all happy and gooey again. “Okay,” I whisper.
“Okay what?” he asks.
“Just okay. This is really nice with you, Reed.” I snuggle a little closer to him. “Thanks for being my boyfriend tonight.”
I feel him tense up for a moment. “Not only for tonight, Karisma. I’ll be your boyfriend for as long as you’ll let me.”
I pretend to think over his offer. “Well, at least until I get a better offer then.”
He snorts. “Twice, from the backseat of a car. I don’t think they make better offers than that.”
I wave him off. “I’ve had better.”
He all but chokes. This was too easy. “Jeffrey?” he manages to bite out in a very offended voice.
“Reed Harrington, you know I’m not a woman to kiss and tell.” I sashay out of his kitchen. “Now bring the snacks and let’s ditch the party clothes. We’ll watch your crappy movie and practice this boyfriend girlfriend stuff.”
“I’m pretty sure ditching the clothes is part of the boyfriend girlfriend stuff, sweetheart.”
“Well, so is the movie and cuddling time. We have to do both if this is going to be the real thing, Kade.”
“I’m ready to give you whatever you want, Kar. That includes the best movie snacks available, a super comfortable cuddling couch, and great conversation whenever you want to make fun of me or the movie characters.”
“Oh, that reminds me. We need to talk.”
I can hear him hiss in a breath. Ha ha, jerkface. If he’s going to be all nice and sweetheart-y with me, I am definitely going to make him suffer a little from time to time. This is how we’ll have balance in our relationship.
He clears his throat. “Is something wrong?”
It takes a tremendous amount of self-control for me not to crack up at the obvious worry in his voice. He’s way too gullible to live in this cold, cruel world.
