Page 74 of It's in the Contract
“And there she goes.”
I shove a candy watermelon in my mouth.
“It’s next week, by the way.”
“SHHHH!” I say.
Suzy smiles and pops back a handful of M&Ms.
Roughly twenty minutes later, when Sandra Bullock is saving Peter from the train, I glance over at Suzy. Her head is at an odd angle on the couch cushion, her mouth open. I nudge Zeke to take a look.
He glances over at her and grins. “She is out.”
“Told you,” I say.
“I love this part,” I say when the characters are in the hospital and the mix-ups are just beginning. “The story writers made it believable that she would get in a predicament like this. And it’s so good for her character arc how they show—” My eyes get wide. “I’m so sorry. Suzy was totally right. My dad and I love to pick apart movies together, what makes them work and not work.” My face turns bright red, and I’m grateful that the lights are off. “I’ll shut up now.”
Zeke smiles. “I’d rather hear you talk, anyway.”
My blush deepens, and I hope Zeke doesn’t see. “Is that supposed to be a slur on the movie?” I tease. “It must be pretty bad, huh?”
Zeke shakes his head. He can’t take his eyes off me. “No. It’s wonderful.”
I clear my throat. I think I have some citric acid stuck in my throat. This must be why Mom’s telling me to stay away from these things. The throat-clearing turns into an embarrassing cough that almost covers up Suzy’s tiny snores.
“Let me get you some water.” Zeke stands before I can croak out, “I’m fine.”
He comes back with a glass, and I take a drink. Zeke sits back down, and am I imagining that he’s a tiny bit closer than before?
I try to shut up and just enjoy the movie, but I can’t stop thinking about Zeke’s closeness. His leg is almost touching mine, and his hand . . . it’s on his leg. The leg closest to me. Holy crap.
No. I am definitely overthinking this. I focus on the movie, and, I can’t help it, my mouth runs wild, analyzing and exclaiming over every part of it. Zeke doesn’t seem to mind. I think. Maybe it’s just the sugar. Yeah. I’ve had too much of it.
About halfway through the movie, Zeke’s hand slides closer to mine. My heart jumps. I put my hand on my leg, inches from his. What is happening? What are we doing? Is he even going to notice?
But then Zeke’s hand inches closer until our pinkies are touching, and a jolt goes through me.
Zeke carefully places his hand on top of mine. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
And then our fingers interlace, and my heart rate skyrockets. His palm is warm and soft. His thumb pad runs up and down my hand, and I forget about everything else.
“You’re being quiet.” Zeke sounds breathless.
“I’m just enjoying . . . this.” Wow. I am such a dork.And I am so crazy for you.
Zeke’s hands squeezes mine. Our fingers fit together perfectly. “Me, too.”
When the movie’s over, Zeke lets go of my hand slowly. I miss his warmth, and I want to take his hand back. I want us to be a thing. I want it so badly that Iache.
I swallow the feelings bubbling inside of me and gently shake Suzy to wake her up. She snorts once and then jolts awake.
“WhatdidImiss?” she mumbles.
“You slept through most of movie, dork,” I say.
Suzy glares. “I told you, I’m exhausted.”
