Page 86 of Knot Your Sunshine
"So what are we watching?" My voice wavers as Keanu's fingers trail along my calf.
Josh shakes his head slightly, as if clearing it, then stands and retrieves a DVD player from a shelf. "Behold. Our entertainment system."
"Is that from this century?" I laugh.
"2005." Keanu's grin lights up his whole face. "We bought it with our first real money."
"Or what felt like real money," Noa adds, his breath stirring my hair.
"Oh, do tell." I turn slightly to catch his eye. "What's the story behind this archaeological find?"
"We were teenagers, holding doors at the Grand Wailea for tips." Josh's fingers trace the player's surface with reverence. "Saved for three months to buy this thing."
"Felt like the coolest thing ever." Keanu's hand finds mine, fingers interlacing. "Used to watch movies on the beach after our shifts."
My chest tightens with affection. "That's really sweet."
"Lucky for us, I brought it on the yacht a few months ago." Josh reaches for a case, revealing rows of DVDs. "Along with this collection from a yard sale. We've got action, comedy, horror—"
"Mean Girls!" I crawl over and grab the pink case. "Oh my god, yes. This is perfect pajama party material."
"Told you," Keanu says to Noa. "It's a classic."
"But what about The Lord of the Rings—" Noa starts.
"It's happening." I'm already inserting the disc. "Prepare to witness peak cinema."
We settle in as the FBI piracy warning plays. Keanu stretches out, resting his head in my lap. Josh presses closer to my right. Noa moves behind me, and I lean back until my spine meets his chest. His arms come around my waist, fingers splaying across my stomach. I feel completely surrounded, protected, desired…
"I've never seen this," Noa admits as the opening credits roll.
I twist to stare at him. "How is that possible?"
"Too busy with The Lord of the Rings extended editions on repeat." His arms tighten, pulling me flush against him.
"Shh," Josh says. "It's starting."
Lindsay Lohan appears on screen. For maybe ten minutes, we actually watch. Then Noa starts commenting.
"Why is she friends with them if they're mean?"
My hand finds his thigh behind me, squeezing. "That's literally the point."
"But she seems smart—"
"Character development," Josh interrupts, his thigh pressing harder against mine. "Just wait."
"Is that the guy from—"
"Shhhh!" Josh and I chorus.
"Alright, alright." Noa's chest vibrates with laughter. His thumbs have found the strip of skin where my tank has ridden up, tracing circles that send sparks through me.
"The way they dress," he murmurs during the mall scene. "Did you have a clique like this?"
I shiver. “God no. I was more drama-kid-through-and-through, not mall-and-makeup.”
"Bet you were adorable." His voice drops. "Though I wouldn't mind seeing you in a pink skirt..."
