When she turns toward me, I pull her in for a hug.
It’s a little bit strange, we aren’t a hugging family, but I want that to change. “Thank you.”
She steps back, patting my shoulder awkwardly. “Of course. I’ll go get the pizza out.”
We ordered Spencer’s favorite pizza from Haven. Audrey went and picked it up earlier and stuck it in the oven to keep it warm. Not fancy, but I wanted him to have his favorite. I hope he doesn’t think it’s lame. I hope he likes everything I’ve done, considering we aren’t leaving the theater. I’ve never done anything like this before, planned a date for a man. What if he thinks it’s stupid? What if I talk to him about my worries and he calls it off?
I shake the thoughts away. It will be fine.
After using the restroom and washing my hands, I head for the exit, pushing open the swinging bathroom door.
Daphne’s voice rings through the lobby. “I’m sure my purse is back here somewhere,” she says, her volume turned way up.
“Could you hurry up? I promised Vivien we would have dinner, but she hasn’t returned my texts for the past—” His eyes flick over as I approach.
Audrey appears from the hall, giving me a quick thumbs-up and then she and Daphne beeline for the front doors.
“Sorry not sorry, Spence,” Daphne calls out over her shoulder. “The whole ‘I need you to take me to the theater for my purse’ thing was a bit of a half-truth. Have fun, you two. I’ll lock the doors.” She blows a kiss, and then she and Audrey disappear into the night, both of them giggling.
Spencer hasn’t taken his focus off me. He’s wearing black slacks and a button-up shirt.
And a gray sweater vest.
I smile. I can’t wait to take it off.
I saunter toward him. “Like what you see?”
“What is this?” His voice is raspy, his eyes devouring me head to foot.
I stop in front of him, crossing my feet at the ankles and leaning on the glass countertop of the concession stand. “I thought it would be fun to have a date night here. Alone.”
He swallows. “I am definitely into that. I’m almost scared to touch you so I don’t ruin anything.”
I reach for his hand. “That’s kind of the point. Come on.”
His fingers lace with mine, and I lead him to the reel room. All of the old photos and boxes have been cleared away, and a small table and chairs are set up in the center of the room with some fake flickering candles, a bottle of wine, and a box of pizza.
“Hey, Cosmic Pizza. You remembered.” He smiles at me, tugging me closer for a kiss.
When his lips hit mine, all the worry about how he would react to my little date night, all the questions I wanted to ask, evaporates like smoke in the wind.
Wait. No. I reel my thoughts back in. I have to talk to him, or else I’ll end up putting it off again and then stewing in private.
I pull back.
He searches my eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“I keep worrying about the ethics thing.”
“Vivien—”
“No, hear me out.” I press a hand against his chest. “You spent weeks telling me we couldn’t do this. Then suddenly we can. And I’m worried about how it will impact your career if you get in trouble or something.”
His mouth twitches. “You’re worried about me?”
“Of course.”
His hands slide up and down my arms. “I was worried about you.”
