Page 64 of Lovesick
Before my thoughts could spiral too far down that rabbit hole, JJ walked inside. The cold had pinked his cheeks in an adorable way. My pulse beat faster.
“Hey, Lizbeth, you busy this afternoon?” he asked as he peeled off his parka.
“Just working.”
“Think you’d be interested in taking a few hours off?”
Something intriguing sparkled in his eyes when they met mine. If the afternoon involved him in any way, shape, or form, I was definitely interested. Unless it included strenuous physical activity—then I was out.
“What did you have in mind?” I asked.
“A movie. Maybe some lunch afterward.”
My heart literally pitter-pattered. Was he asking me on a date? I forced myself to act casual. “Ooh,” I said. “Which movie?”
“The Heiress.”
An excited little squeal popped out of me before I could stop it. I’d been drooling over that movie—and the gorgeous, Victorian-esque wardrobe—for weeks now. “Really?” I cried. Then my enthusiasm died. “Wait, that’s a romance.”
“I know.”
My gaze tapered. “Then why do you want to go?”
“Call it curiosity,” he said. “It’s been at least eight years since I’ve seen one. I’d like to try it again.”
“And then debate with me?”
He grinned. “You got it.”
Unfortunately, I couldn’t resist those mossy eyes or that bright smile. Watching a romance movie with JJ? Heck yes. I’d always been a sucker for hearty banter, and we had it in spades.
Mark waved a hand. “Go for it if you want,” he said before I could check with him. “I need a little peace and quiet around here.”
JJ held out a hand with his usual smile. “Let’s go. Next showing starts in an hour.”
* * *
“Number one rule,” I whispered as we sat down in the cool, dark theater. “You have to be honest. No softening it.”
He made anXover his heart. “Promise.”
“Great. I’ll give you a summary.”
“Doesn’t that ruin the movie?”
“Not for a romance! When you start a romance, you always know how it ends.The Heiressis about a princess named Elody who inherits the crown unexpectedly. Her older brother was always slated for the position, but he dies, along with her parents, in a plane crash. Not only is Elody devastated, but she now has to lead her country.”
“Naturally.”
I shot him a glare that made him grin. He gestured for me to continue. On the towering screen, the opening credits began to roll, with a little splash of violin in the background.
“Her parents’ adviser, a severe man named D’artagnan, is tasked with helping her transition into the position. Foibles ensue as she attempts to ascend to a role that was never supposed to be hers to begin with.”
“Did you just sayfoibles?” he asked.
“My vocabulary is extensive.”
“I can see that,” he said seriously. “It sounds like you memorized the trailer pitch.”
