Page 39 of The Fun Part
I grab the remote. “You have a cozy apartment. I figured you have the appropriate snacks.” A sudden worry occurs. “You don’t have the microwave kind, do you?”
“I have the already-made kind in a bag.”
“Next time we’ll do this at my place, and I’ll make you fresh popped.”
His brows lift. “You’re assuming a lot.”
I freeze. Omigod. I’m such an idiot. “I was just enjoying myself. Sorry to assume. We don’t have to keep watchingmovies. It’s late.” I stand, trying to find my purse in the glow of the TV screen.
He grabs me by the wrist and tugs me back to the sofa. “Hey, speedy. I didn’t say leave. You’re just bossier than I’m used to.”
I nearly say,You’re bossy in the bedroom. I’m bossy everywhere else. Probably best not to bring sexy times up when we’re in friend mode.
I play it cool. “Oh, well, I am the oldest of my siblings. I had to keep my brothers in line.”
He lifts my hand and kisses the palm. Tingles race up my arm. “I like it.”
“Then what’re you teasing about? Go get the popcorn, man. And when you get back, set it up for the movie. I found it on several streamers.”
Once we’re all settled with popcorn and water, Cal starts the movie. I settle in with a handful of popcorn. This is fun.
An hour later, I pull the soft throw blanket from the back of the sofa and put it over us both. He slips an arm around my shoulders, and it feels natural to lean my head against his shoulder. The heat between us wraps around me, relaxing every muscle. Desire stirs, but I ignore it.
But then there’s a sexy onscreen kiss, and I’m remembering our kiss. And another sexy scene and another. I don’t dare look up at him.
The next thing I know, he’s shifting off the sofa, leaving me behind under the blanket. I sit up. The movie’s over. I blink, trying to get my bearings. “I must’ve dozed off.”
“Good thing you’ve seen this relationship movie before.”
I smile. “Baseball movie.”
“We’ll saveMoneyballfor next time. You can stay the night if you want.”
I blink. Together in his bed, or I’m on the sofa while he sleeps in the bed? Either way the temptation is too great. No way amI putting myself through that. I used up all my willpower not kissing him during our movie marathon. “I’ll go.”
I pull off the blanket, stand, and fold it neatly, setting it back on the sofa.
He turns on the lights, dimming them. Then he gets my coat for me. He sure does a lot of polite sweet gestures considering no one is here to witness them for our fake dating.
He helps me on with my coat, and I find myself blushing over all the fuss. Obviously I don’t need help, but it’s like he wants to care for me. No guy has ever made this much effort.
I flip my hair out of the collar of my coat and turn to him. “Want to meet up for a run tomorrow morning? I figure it’ll be a good public outing for our fake relationship.”
“How do you know I run?”
“You don’t get a body like that at home.” I slap a hand over my mouth.
He grins. “My knee doesn’t cooperate for a run, but I can join you on a walk. We’ll get a lot of eyes on us on Main Street.”
“That works. I’ll text you in the morning. Thanks.”
“You know, you can get this body at home,” he says with a wink. “Just need the right training regimen.”
I shake my head, thoroughly embarrassed. “Goodnight, Cal.”
He leans in, and my heart thuds for a crazy moment. But then his kiss lands on my cheek. “Goodnight, Mackenzie.”
I step out, smiling. Who knew I could have so much fun with a guy friend? Fake dating was a great idea.
