AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don't know what you were thinking a minute ago, but by the look on your face, it wasn't good and it's worrying me. Please don't start freaking out or being distant or anything. I mean, don't change, okay? I need you to stay who you have been with me lately. I don't want you to go anywhere.” She puts her hand over mine, interlocking our fingers.
I swallow hard. “I'm not going to leave, Audra. Promise.”
Her voice is low, but I definitely hear her. “Good because I like having you here.”
No words come for a response. It only takes about five minutes before she's sound asleep. Unfortunately, not many words appear for baby girl either. I gently rub her belly as I utter into Audra's shoulder, “I love you, baby girl. That's all I got tonight.”
I'VE BEEN OBSESSING over this date, over what to do, for what feels like days. And my best idea feels like it might be a bust. Maybe because it's such an ordinary date and I'm so nervous, but I think it'll go fine. I mean, it's Maddie. Unless she is expecting so much more from me, which she totally deserves, then we'll be fine. I'm just overthinking everything. Maddie is already outside her dorm when I pull into the parking lot.
Damn.
She's dressed in charcoal skinny jeans and a mint-colored top. A big smile is already on her face as she makes her way over to where I am. I get out and meet her at the front of my car.
“Hey, Winston.”
“Hey, all ready?” I lean down to kiss her forehead.
“No, I'm standing out here because I need to run back inside and fix my makeup real quick.” She slips her hand into mine as I laugh and lead her to the other side, opening the door for her.
When I get in, I
say, “You look great.” My hand is on the gearshift between us, about to slide it into reverse, but Maddie places her hand over mine. I look over at her. She leans towards me and points to her lips. Grinning, I close the space between us and kiss her softly. A gentle meeting of our lips, a simple hello.
“Where are we going?” she asks, sitting back properly in her seat as I finally back out.
“Movies.” I glance at her to see if there's any disappointment, but she's still smiling. See? No need to worry. This is Maddie. We're friends at our core, and Maddie will speak up if something isn't working well. Only difference is that this time, I'm treating her like my future Queen instead of like a back alley hooker I don't want anyone to know I'm seeing. That was a bad analogy because Maddie was far from hooker, but I think it somewhat works.
“Did you already pick out what we're watching?”
I nod. “That new comedy with Adam Sandler.”
“Ooh, I've been wanting to see that.”
Point for Winston. “Did you have a good day?”
A quick glance shows an eye roll. “No. Let's not talk about that, though.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Roommate troubles, but it doesn't matter. How was your day?”
I look to see if I should question her further, but she seems fine. “It was good.”
She nods. I can tell she is smiling, even though my eyes are on the road. “I see you left your beanie at home. I can't say that it didn't cross my mind that you would be wearing it tonight.”
Laughing, I say, “What is up with you and what I wear on my head? You're the only one who ever says anything about it.”
“I don't know. I guess I thought you would grow out of it or something. I like it, just teasing you.”
Absentmindedly, I run my fingers through my hair. After parking the car, I get out and open the door for her. She wraps an arm around my waist, so I do the same, finally sticking my hand into her back pocket. We don't say much as I buy our tickets and we head inside. Maddie loves popcorn, so I get us a tub. We find seats at the very top and munch on popcorn through the previews.
“We should come see that once it releases,” Maddie leans over and whispers.
The lights dim and everyone falls silent as it starts. It seems surreal that I'm here with her. I'm probably about to jinx myself, but I feel like a bomb is going to drop on us too soon. Like things won't stay good for long. An impending doom, if you will. Maddie glances at me with a smile. She reaches for a popcorn and holds it up to my mouth. Once I part my lips, she pops it in there, grinning like she accomplished a hard task. Her focus shifts to the movie, so I do the same.
Once it ends, we leave the theater, holding hands.
“I need something sweet after that popcorn,” Maddie says.
