9. Crying over fictional dinosaurs is perfectly normal
NINE
CRYING OVER FICTIONAL DINOSAURS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL
? People Watching - Conan Gray
CLIO
“Extra butter?” I ask Lexi as we stand in line at the movie theatre concession line.
“Obviously.”
The Grove is packed for this weekend’s retro movie marathon featuring The Land Before Time. I slide my card across the counter to pay for our snacks and hand the drinks to Lexi while I fill my pockets with M it’s the best view in the place.
The Grove only has one auditorium and a single screen, and it’s rare that we get any new titles until months after they come out.
There isn’t much to do in Willow Valley, so the Grove stays busy regardless.
I do wish they’d upgrade the seating, though.
My thighs weren’t made to squish between these armrests.
“Lexi!” Auggie rushes up the steps, stopping one row shy of where we’re seated. “You like dinosaurs, too?” he asks, all wide-eyed excitement.
Lexi giggles. “I sure do.”
Noah stops beside him, palming his shoulders. “What did I tell you about running away from me?”
“Sorry, Uncle Noah.” He tilts his head and juts his lip out in an adorable pout.
“It’s fine,” Noah says, capitulating to the easy manipulation.
I can’t help but laugh. Lexi used to get me with that same look, but I learned to spot the deception as time went on. Noah hasn’t been a parent long enough to figure it out yet, and I’m not about to tell him. I’m team Auggie all the way.
“Do you want to sit with me?” Lexi pats the seat next to her.
“Yes!” Auggie climbs into it, his short legs dangling about a foot off the ground.
Lexi holds out the bucket of popcorn and offers him some.
He gleefully takes a handful and shoves it into his mouth while Noah sets up the caption box for him that fits into the cup holder.
It syncs to the movie’s audio so he can read along if he wants.
Auggie is one of the most advanced readers in my class.
Noah hands Auggie his slushy, then he stands there awkwardly with a small popcorn in his hand. There’s only one extra spot open in our row, and it’s on the aisle directly to my right.
“Come on, babe,” I tease. “I saved you a seat.”
Lexi’s head snaps in my direction, and her brow furrows.
“Long story. I’ll tell you later.”
Noah slumps into the spot like he’d rather be anywhere else.
His thigh bumps mine, and he shifts to seemingly put some distance between us, but it’s no use.
I set my hand on his knee, halting his movements.
He glances down at where we’re connected before meeting my gaze, twin pools of vibrant blue spearing straight through me.
“You could at least pretend you like me,” I whisper. “You never know who’s watching.”
It’s been less than twenty-four hours since everything went down, and the rumor mill’s been churning, but it’s not widespread news yet.
I expect I’ll have to answer a million questions from my colleagues on Monday.
It’s probably best if I formally disclose the relationship to the board sooner rather than later.
The theatre lights dim, and the screen illuminates with vintage trailers for classic nineties movies. It’s nostalgic in the very best way.
I reach for a handful of popcorn, but Lexi has it tucked between her and Auggie, so I go for the small one in Noah’s hands instead.
Our fingers brush as he reaches into the bag at the same time.
After the longest three seconds of my life, he brings the popcorn to his mouth.
It’s as if everything is moving in slow motion.
He doesn’t look away, and I can’t bring myself to either.
I take a bite, and when the flavor hits my tongue, it’s familiar but wrong. There’s not nearly enough butter to be satisfying. I grimace.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“I can still taste the popcorn.”
“Yeah, that’s kind of the point.”
“No, I mean there’s no flavor. I like mine extra buttery.”
“So, eat yours.”
“I can’t. Lexi is sharing with Auggie.”
“What do you suggest? I’m not getting up to get more butter.”
I purse my lips. “Do you trust me?”
“No.”
“Well, too bad.” I snatch popcorn from his hands and take the bag of M&M’s out of my pocket, combining the two.
“That’s disgusting.”
“You haven’t even tried it yet.” I take some between my fingers and hold it up to his mouth. “Here.”
He quirks a brow.
“Do I need to make airplane sounds?”
“Please don’t.”
When I don’t withdraw my hand, he sighs and opens his mouth, his hot, wet lips closing around my fingers. A shiver courses through me as he pulls away.
“Not bad,” he says, his voice low and gruff.
I shove a handful of the mixture into my mouth, distracting myself from the pulse between my thighs.
Not even candy-coated popcorn is going to save me this time.
It’s taking everything in me not to climb into his lap, sex clause be damned.
My thoughts are completely inappropriate for present company, so I shove yet another bite into my mouth.
A hush falls over the crowd as the movie finally starts. It’s a struggle to focus with my leg brushing up against Noah’s denim-clad thigh, and his hand occasionally bumping against mine when we reach for the popcorn. Eventually my thoughts quiet, and I become immersed in the movie.
When tragedy strikes fifteen minutes into the cinematic masterpiece, the first tear tracks down my cheek, and I swipe it away, sniffling. My heart breaks for the fictional dinosaur on the screen.
“Are you crying?” Noah whispers amusedly.
“Shut up, asshole. His mom just died.”
Someone in the row ahead of us shushes me and my cheeks heat.
“Sorry.” I elbow Noah in the ribs.
“Oof. What was that for?”
I lean in close, keeping my voice low. “You’re my fiancé. You should be comforting me. At least put your arm around me or something.”
It’s dark, but I don’t miss the subtle shake of his head and the way his eyes roll to the ceiling before he does the dramatic fake stretch and rests his hand on my opposite shoulder. “There. Happy, princess?”
I sink lower in my seat and rest my head against his shoulder, catching a whiff of his cologne. He smells annoyingly good—smooth and masculine with a hint of something floral underneath.
“What are you doing?”
“We went over this. I’m canoodling, remember?”
“Jesus Christ,” he mutters under his breath.
“Maybe I need to find a new dating coach. Why do you suck at this?”
This time it’s Lexi who shushes us, tossing a few popcorn kernels at me for good measure. I pluck one out of my cleavage and pop it into my mouth. It’s buttery perfection, just as it should be.
“You’re somethin’ else.”
“Thank you. I’m taking that as a compliment.”
Around the halfway mark, Noah’s thumb strokes my bare shoulder where my sweater dips down. I’m positive he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. It feels too good, so I don’t say anything.
When was the last time someone touched me with any sort of quiet affection?
I swallow hard, trying to conjure any recollection, but I come up empty. Has anyone ever touched me like this? If they have, I don’t remember. What a sad fucking existence. If dating is off the table for the foreseeable future, I’ll enjoy whatever this is for as long as I can.
NOAH
If I’d known Clio would be here, I wouldn’t have taken Emma’s advice and brought Auggie to the movies. Half the damn town is crammed into this theatre, and now I’m all cozied up to my fake fiancée in these rickety-ass chairs from the seventies.
So, why does it feel so damn good to hold her? Why can’t I bring myself to let go?
I’m having trouble focusing on anything but the softness of her skin beneath my fingers and the scent of her hair.
I must be starved for physical touch. Now that Auggie’s living with me, I can’t bring anyone home, and even if I wanted to, there’s a clause against it in that ridiculous contract.
As the movie ends and the lights come back on, Clio sits up straighter and swipes at her damp cheeks. Of course, she’d be the type to cry over a cartoon dinosaur.
It’s only when she leans over to speak to Lexi that I remember Auggie’s here. He’s been quiet the whole time.
Too quiet.
He’s curled up in a ball with his head on the armrest, fast asleep, and at some point Lexi must’ve draped her hoodie over him. That can’t be comfortable.
“I should get him home,” I say.
“Yeah. I think we’re gonna head out, too,” Clio says. “Lexi starts work at the library bright and early tomorrow.”
“So, you’re saying I should expect to hear your hype girl playlist at five a.m. again?”
She backhands me in the chest. “I’ve been a good girl lately.”
My cock jolts as the words leave her lips. “I bet you have.”
Her pupils dilate, and she draws in a shaky breath before breaking eye contact and picking up the discarded popcorn bag. “Ready, Lex?”
Lexi nods and shuffles past us into the aisle, disappearing around the corner toward the exit. Clio follows her out, her round ass bouncing beneath her green skirt with each step she takes, and I can’t tear my eyes off her.
Fuck.
I need to get laid.