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I clap my hands together. “Which one?”
“Emma. I hope that’s a good one?” He asks, scratching his head. It seemed fitting, with you as my date.”
I bounce on the balls of my feet. “I love Emma!”
Jaron smiles and his eyes light up. “Oh good. I was a little nervous. But I wanted this to be a surprise, so I knew I couldn’t ask you.”
“I could not love this date more,” I say. “I feel like you’re completely spoiling me.”
“Seeing your smile makes it all worth it.”
I curl my lips back from my teeth so they are all showing and I widen my eyes. It’s the most unattractive smile I could possibly make. Jaron laughs loudly. I can practically see the tension leaving his face. Mission accomplished.
“Yes, that’s the one,” he says, chuckling. “Makes everything worth it,” he adds, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Come on, our movie is about to start.”
Jaron grabs my hand and we rush inside the darkened theater. We barely sit as the lights go completely dark and the screen comes to life. I squeal a little. It’s not till Jaron looks at me that I realize the sound was out loud. Oops. I can’t help it. I’m super excited! The opening music plays and I sigh. Jaron leans back and scoots down in his chair, trying to get comfortable. He leans over to me a few minutes in.
“Do you want any popcorn?”
I stick my tongue out and clutch my very full belly. I shake my head. “Not after all that cheesecake. I’m stuffed!”
“What about your dessert box?” he asks with a grin.
“It’s retired for the evening.”
Jaron laughs and the two women in front of us turn around and glare. I have to stifle a giggle. Then I lean over and whisper behind my hand, “Don’t mess with Jane Austen fans. You might lose a limb.”
Jaron nods at me, trying to contain his amusement. He scoots closer and raises the armrest between us. He wraps an arm over my shoulders and pulls me close. I lean into him. His chest is warm and strong. I feel completely safe in his embrace. The tension between us from earlier is finally gone.
I’m pleasantly surprised Jaron doesn’t fall asleep. Every time I check on him, he’s watching the screen…or me. I sigh happily when the end credits begin to roll. Someone announces that they will be showingSense and Sensibilityin ten minutes. I stand and stretch my legs.
Jaron looks down at his phone. “I better get you home,” he says. “The last thing I want is to be on coach’s bad side.”
I smile up at him. “I don’t know if that’s possible. He adores you. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’d trade me for you, if he could.”
“That’s not true.”
I shrug. “Perhaps.”
Jaron and I walk hand in hand back out to the parking lot. He opens my door and I climb in.
“What did you think of the movie?” I ask.
Jaron nods. “I liked it. She reminded me a lot of you.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Yeah, she’s so worried about other people and what they think, or what they need, that she doesn’t recognize how worthy she is of finding happiness herself. And she’s totally blind to the guy who has liked her all along.”
I’m completely speechless. Thankfully I don’t have to answer as Jaron fills in the space between us. He cups his handunder my chin and pulls me in for a kiss. It’s sweet and tender, and not nearly long enough.
We pull up in front of my house at 10:58 pm.
Jaron pumps his fist in the air. “Two minutes to spare!” he says. When Jaron opens my door, I step out slowly. Very slowly. Then I begin taking baby steps toward the front door. As Jaron walks ahead. He turns and sees me, only inches from the car door.
“What the—^? You’re trying to make me late!”
Jaron rushes toward me and I scream. I laugh as he grabs me around the waist, throws me over his shoulder like it’s nothing, and carries me to the front porch, setting my feet on the steps. He opens the door and pushes me inside. I laugh, but I’m no match for his strong arms.
