Page 83 of The Affair
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah,” he answered, “I do. And the answer is no. Nothing serious.”
“Ever?”
There was that shrug again. “I’m not saying I’m a saint, but no. I guess I’ve just been waiting for the right woman.”
“What’s your favorite movie?”
“Ah, now, that’s a good one,” he replied, his mood returning. “Braveheart.”
“Braveheart?” I made a sour face.
“What is the matter withBraveheart?”
“It’s just so …”
“What?”
“Boring!”
He pretended to look shocked and offended. “Have you even seen it? It’s got everything—action, romance, emotion, honor, and bravery.”
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so passionate aboutBraveheart.”
He grinned. “We’re going to watch it. You’ll love it. Promise.”
I was doubtful, but he looked quite sure of himself.
“Okay, if you’re so sure what makes a great movie, what is your favorite? Wait. Let me guess… is it—”
I held out my hand, stopping him. “If you sayLegally Blonde, I will kill you.”
“So, you’ve heard that joke before, Elle Woods?”
“About a hundred times a year since the movie came out,” I answered.
“Well, damn. And here I thought I was an original.” He paused before asking, “So, what is your actual favorite movie?”
I thought about it. There was no doubt I’d seen a billion lately. But the one that stuck with me was a classic. “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“The old Christmas movie?”
Smiling, I nodded. “Yeah. It has all those things you mentioned that apparently make a great movie, but more than that, it just makes me feel good every time I watch it. It was sort of a tradition with my dad and me. Every year, we’d find a quiet night to sit together and watch it. I’d cry, and he’d hold me. And now—”
Oh jeez. Here we were, back at the heavy subject matter.
I really was rusty at this date thing.
“And now, you’ll watch it with me,” he offered.
“Yeah?”
Smiling, he took my hand again. “Yeah.”
“Do I still have to watchBraveheart?”
He laughed, bringing my hand to his lips. “A deal is a deal.”
