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Gemma and I talk and laugh through the rest of dinner, then decide to save dessert until after the movie since we’re both stuffed.
“You sure you’re ready to watch this? It’s a scary one.”
“Do I have a choice?” she mocks, curling up on the couch with a blanket.
“It’s not scary scary…more a psychological thriller.”
“If I have nightmares tonight, I’m blaming you.”
“Oh, don’t be a baby. Jack Nicholson is amazing in this film.”
“Hmm…we’ll see.” She smirks as I press play and then plop down next to her.
“Just by his expressions, I can tell he’s crazy as hell,” she says after a while.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her against my chest. “Here, I’ll protect you.”
Gemma beams, then snorts. “Smooth.”
“Hey, gimme a break. Like my cooking skills, my game is a little off.”
Gemma bursts out laughing until tears form in her eyes. “How do you always make me smile? After the past couple of weeks, I should be in a sour ass mood. But I don’t think I’ve been this happy in months.”
“You should always be laughing and smiling, Gemma. It’s a beautiful sight to see and sound to hear.” I turn and brush my thumb over her jaw, then pluck her bottom lip from between her teeth.
“Thanks for being here.”
“Thank you for agreeing to hang out.”
“No, I don’t mean just tonight. I mean, for coming back. I know you didn’t do it forme, but I’m glad you’re home.”
“I wasn’t sure it would be the right choice, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in years.”
She stares at my lips, and I battle with my head and heart on what to do next. Before I decide, a loud scream comes from the TV, and we both jump.
“Jesus.” She rests a hand on her chest. “That scared the shit out of me.”
I chuckle and take it as a sign. Tonight’s not the night to cross that line.
We finish watching the movie, and when the credits roll, Gemma curses me out for the ending.
“You really thought it’d have a happily ever after like one of your cheesy romance films?” I tease as I cut the cheesecake.
“Well, I was holding out hope.” She crosses her arms.
“Alright so, besides that, what’d you think?”
“It was…interesting. Not something I’d ever watch again, though.”
“That’s fine because you have fifty more to choose from.” I smirk.
“I need a break before suffering through another, okay? Like maybe something with Patrick Swayze.”
“Let me guess,Dirty Dancing?”
“Yep. One of my favorites.”
“I remember,” I say softly. “You and Everleigh went through a whole phase when you were like thirteen and played the soundtrack on repeat.”
