AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In the clearing ahead, I saw many couples gathered in front of a screen where The Notebook was playing. The ground was carpeted in white wild flowers, and in the sky, dozens of fireflies appeared and disappeared. I wasn’t sure where the sound was coming from, but it seemed like it was all over the forest.
“Our seats are ready,” he said softly.
I followed him, but I was studying the couples, some old enough they had oxygen masks on, others so young they still had that embarrassed, awkward expression on their faces as they tried to figure out whether or not to hold hands.
“Everything you asked for, Mr. Darcy.” The man who had taken our bags when landed stood in front of the only trees in the clearing. On the ground next to him and the tree was a blanket, champagne, and a picnic basket. I didn’t think I had ever seen one outside of a movie.
“Thank you.” Theo handed him his keys, and he left. “Sit,” Theo whispered, tugging me down as he did dropped to the blanket.
I couldn’t believe this. “When did you plan this?”
“I heard a few women on set saying they hoped we wrapped soon so they could come here. After that it was a matter of making one phone call.” He took two glasses from the basket and handed me one. “What did you think, I’d planned all of this from the start?”
“If not, you’re really good at thinking on your feet.”
“You have to be with my job.” He popped the champagne, causing a few people to turn around. He poured a glass for each of us. “Besides, we couldn’t let such a good dress go to waste. All that would make it better is this.”
He reached up and gently pulled out the hair tie, allowing it to fall down in waves against the side of my face. For the second time that day, I was made aware of just how close he was to me. He tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
“Beautiful,” he whispered. “As always.”
“Thanks. You don’t look bad yourself.” I straightened the glasses he still wore on his face. “You kind of remind me of Clark Kent.”
“So I’m your Superman?” he said with a grin.
“You keep telling yourself that.” I reached into the basket and grabbed the grapes along with a few crackers. I offered him some, and he bent down and bit a grape off the bunch in my hands. I heard one of my favorite lines from the movie and started to recite it. Closing my eyes, I brought my knees up to my chest, making sure to tuck the dress under my legs. I grinned and said every word.
“‘They didn’t agree on much. In fact, they didn’t agree on anything. They fought all the time and challenged each other every day. But despite their differences, they had one important thing in common. They were crazy about each other.’”
I giggled to myself, watching the screen.
“How many times have you seen this movie?”
“A least every other month with my roommates. I probably know the whole thing by heart, but that line is a favorite of mine and Mark’s.”
“Mark? One of your roommates is a guy?”
I glanced to him when I heard the small twang of jealousy. “Yes.”
He took another grape. “How close are you?”
“I met him when I got out of juvie. He’s the cousin of my other roommate, Cleo. He ran away with part of his inheritance. That’s how I was able to get myself grounded and start work afterward. So, to answer your question, we’re as close as can be.” I wasn’t making him feel better. He kept his eyes trained on the screen. “He’s like a big brother, and right now he’s back to dating guys, so you don’t have to be jealous.”
“I wasn’t jealous,” he lied.
“Says the man who tied me to a bedpost for kissing another man.”
“Can the woman who liked it so much that she begged for more really bring it up?” He looked at me lazily.
“Yep.” I grinned, and so did he. “Besides, if anyone should be jealous, it’s me. After all, you do work with your ex-fiancée.”
“I was wondering when you would bring that up.”
“Shouldn’t I?”
“I don’t care either way. If you want to know, I will tell you.”
I thought about it for a moment, going back and forth in my mind.
