Rm w/a Vu(78)
“My last relationship ended about a year ago,” he continues. “We’d been together almost twice as long. Over the course of the first year, she started to show signs of being overly clingy. She took to picking fights with me every time I had to go out of town, and she told me I had to make a choice: my job or her. I loved my job, so the choice was easy.” I’m shocked to hear that Greyston had been with someone so selfish.
“Because she wasn’t the first to tell me my job was a problem, I just decided I wasn’t going to date anyone seriously for a while.” He pauses, his eyes locked on mine, probably trying to glean my reaction from my expression. “I hope you understand that how I feel about you—even after only a short amount of time—far surpasses anything I ever felt for her, and I’d like to think that if you ever gave me the same ultimatum, I might choose differently.”
I shake my head, touched by his admission. “That’s sweet, but I would never make you choose. I’d like to believe I’m not that selfish in nature. It’s your job, and while I might not relish the idea of you going away, I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”
Our food arriving puts our conversation on hold for the moment as Emma offers us some fresh-ground pepper. I accept, and we begin eating. “Oh, god,” I say, adding a little moan to it. “Okay, this is definitely better than popcorn.”
When I open my eyes, I notice Greyston shift in his seat, and I smile. His laugh sounds a little nervous at first, but soon it’s genuine and hearty. “I’m glad to hear it.”
During dinner, we talk about the movie Greyston chose. I admit, I don’t know much about the comic books or the characters, but I have enjoyed all of the other movies in the franchise that I’ve seen already. After I polish off the last of my chicken, Greyston asks if I want dessert. I look at him a little sheepishly. “Um, I’m kind of saving room for that popcorn still.”
“No problem,” he replies with a grin. “I’d be okay with that, too.”
Emma drops the bill on the table, and Greyston snatches it up before I have a chance to reach for it. Truthfully, it’s probably best I don’t look, because I’m pretty sure I’d pass out if I saw just how much our meal came to. I do reach into my purse for my wallet so I can pay for my share, though.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demands.
“Paying for my dinner?”
He shakes his head and pulls out enough cash to cover dinner and probably a pretty decent tip. “No, you’re not. I don’t know how that last asshat you dated did things, but I asked you out. Tonight is on me.”
I don’t put up a fight; instead I embrace this new relationship dynamic with open arms. Having doors opened for me, chairs pulled out, dates paid for…a girl could get used to this. “Okay. Thank you.”
By the time we leave the restaurant we’ve got about an hour until the movie. This is plenty of time, so Greyston doesn’t rush, instead allowing us both to enjoy the leisurely drive.
We luck out, finding a decent parking space in the middle of the lot, and we head inside. It isn’t a surprise that the line for our movie is huge as everyone waits for the last show to let out.
Greyston places a hand on my lower back, drawing my attention to him. “Why don’t you wait in line, and I’ll go get the popcorn?” he suggests.
I agree, requesting extra butter on the popcorn—I hate the dry pieces. Before I leave him, I pop up onto my toes and kiss him on the lips, taking my ticket and heading toward the auditorium while he stands in the concession line.
He joins me in the massive lineup ten minutes later, struggling to balance the large popcorn and two drinks. He’s also grumbling about how it all cost close to half of what our dinner did. Stepping over the thin rope separating the line from the rest of the common area, Greyston hands me my drink.
“Thanks.” I take a sip. “What time is it?”
He checks his watch. “Almost eight. Has the other show let out yet?”
“Yeah, I think they’re just cleaning the theater now.” Just as soon as I speak, a few staff members emerge to let everyone in. We manage to find seats in the middle of the row and near the top. It isn’t long before the entire theater is packed and the lights dim.
As the previews play, I reach over and help myself to the popcorn in Greyston’s lap. We both point out which upcoming movies we’d like to see, and it surprises me—though it shouldn’t—to find we have pretty similar tastes in films.
I’m caught by surprise when Greyston leans in and places a finger beneath my chin, turning my face to his and kissing me softly. I release a sigh, my desire erupting and pushing through my veins. I can taste the salt from the popcorn on his lips, and I kiss him a little more firmly. It only takes a second to remember where we are and that we’re surrounded by hundreds of other people, and we pull apart, breathless and frustrated. Even though we’d both like to carry on like a couple of horny teenagers, I settle for sidling up to him instead. I slide my arm beneath his and rest my head on his shoulder as we watch the movie.