Page 65 of Unwritten Rules

He remembered.

Nate’s head turns to me so that his dark eyes find my light ones. “Today was the day, so it’s only fitting we finally watch the movie we were supposed to watch when I force-fed you Atonement—”

“I’ve still not forgiven you for that either, Nathaniel. Seriously, dick move. That film just about broke my damn heart.”

“Ah, but Hellcat…” He smirks. “You now understand the power of redemption, making today all the sweeter, no?”

“Did I say I didn’t like the damn movie, Hawthorne?”

A deep chuckle rumbles from his chest as he reaches for the popcorn, turning back to the sheet, and I mirror his actions, settling back to watch a movie I’ve wanted to watch with this man for ages.

Silence sits between us for the duration of the movie, except for several times when Nate comments on the age of the actors playing teenagers.

All too soon, the final scene rolls around, and Mr Coulson kisses Josie on the pitcher’s mound.

I’ve tugged my legs up against my chest, resting my chin on my knees with a big cheesy grin on my lips.

Always been a sucker for the happy ever after.

The Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby” carries through the air and into the night sky surrounding us. I let my head fall back against the seat and soak up the peace. All is right with the world.

“Come on, Hellcat. Indulge me.”

I open my eyes to find Nate standing in the middle of the garden, the light from the projector playing across his body as he holds his left hand out for me.

Snorting, I playfully slap his hand away. “What are you doing, Hawthorne?!”

“I prefer when you call me Nathaniel – if we’re still on that honesty train, Hellcat.”

He quirks a brow while placing his hand out in offering for me once more.

“May I please have this dance?”

My stomach dips as hope surges, despite knowing he’s been exceptionally clear about where we stand with one another – but old habits die hard, I guess.

Resting my right hand on his left, he closes his fingers around mine and softly tugs me to stand.

I can’t help the flood of goosebumps that overtakes my body as he sweeps me onto the makeshift dancefloor, holding his hand above my head so that I can pirouette and twist under our clasped fingers.

He shimmies and shakes his ass like I’ve never seen him do before, and soon we’re both laughing like lunatics, the light of the credits rolling over our bodies as we dance and sing along uproariously to the chorus.

Eventually, the song and credits fade to black. The projector cuts out, and Nathaniel pulls me close so that my ear rests against his chest whilst we sway to the sound of the city beneath us.

My eyes fall shut as I soak up the peace, the absolute joy this man brings to me, all the while telling myself that it’s okay.

The heart can want what it wants – there’s no changing that, no matter how I try.

Maybe Nate’s right. Maybe it’s time to just be us – the us we’ve always been – and once one or both of us finds a partner, then surely this longing will dissipate.

So I tell myself it’s okay, over and over again, thinking that eventually, I’ll believe the line.

It’s okay, Mila. It’s okay. If this is the only part of him you can have, then it’s better than nothing. A friendship with the man you love is better than nothing.

After all, it’s better to have something than nothing, right?

CHAPTER 20

NATE