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At 8:00pm, join us for this once-in-a-lifetime premiere of a film that is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Don’t miss out!
This is a one-time, pop-up showing only!
Undeniably curious, Callie closed the screen. She’d never even heard of a “pop-up” movie, but maybe the Mortimers were trying something new to draw a crowd. In addition to wondering about the “masterpiece,” she wanted to support the historic theater. It was where Jake had fallen in love with movies…and where she’d started falling in love with him.
Ignoring a pang of sorrow, she checked her watch for the time. Half an hour until eight. She’d see if she could catch the special feature.
After that, depending on how late it was, she’d text Rory about getting together. Her sister was a night owl to thenthdegree, so she’d be game for going out well past midnight. Maybe Callie would too, thank you very much.
Slipping her phone back into her purse, she turned toward the movie theater. Only a few cars lined Mariposa Street, and though the marquee lights flashed brightly, the front of the theater was devoid of people. Not even one patron hovered around the ticket booth.
Well, the text had just been sent. People needed time to get here.
Callie crossed the street, reaching for her wallet as she approached the ticket booth. The interior was dark, and no one was staffing the booth. Had they not started selling tickets yet?
She went to the door and tried the handle. Locked. A posted sign on the window readClosed for a Special Screening.
Wasn’t that this “pop-up masterpiece”?
Maybe they’d already cancelled. She checked her phone again. No messages.
“Miss Prescott.”
Callie turned as gravelly-voiced Gus Mortimer pushed open a door on the other side of the ticket booth. In his late seventies, with his shock of white hair, a bowtie, and horn-rimmed glasses, he’d always reminded her of everyone’s favorite grandfather.
“Hi, Gus.” She approached him. “I got a text about a special feature tonight at eight. Was there a mistake?”
“Not at all.” He stepped outside and held the door open for her, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. “Come on in.”
“I haven’t bought a ticket yet.”
“Oh, this is a freebie.”
“Really?” She went into the theater, which was empty aside from Martha Mortimer bustling around behind the concession stand. “How many people did you send the text to?”
“Can’t recall.” Gus closed the door and indicated the concession stand. “Care for popcorn? It’s on the house.”
“No, thanks.” Still baffled, Callie greeted Mrs. Mortimer with a little wave. Maybe everyone was already seated in the auditorium. “But thanks for the offer.”
“Go on in, dear.” Mrs. Mortimer gave her a benevolent smile and gestured to the auditorium doors. “The film will start in about fifteen minutes.”
With a shrug, Callie walked into the auditorium. The old Art Deco chandelier hovered from the ceiling, and the two wall sconces that still worked flickered light against the faded murals.
All the seats were empty.
What in the…?
At least Callie wouldn’t have a problem getting a good seat, even if it was a bummer that the Mortimers’ new idea hadn’t drawn a small crowd. She climbed the lighted steps to the mezzanine. A sudden warmth crackled through her. She glanced up.
Right into the blue gaze of Jake Ryan, who was standing in the front row of the mezzanine.
Callie froze. Her heart leaped—a wild, crazy spin flooding her with astonishment. She grabbed the stair railing, struggling to believe that he was here. He’d come back. And one look from him still had the power to span the distance between them and burrow right into her soul.
“Hello, Callie.” His warm voice sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine.
“Jake.” She swallowed to ease her dry throat. “What…what are you doing here?”
