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18
Charli
Charli leaned back as far as possible in the leather seat of the Seaside Cinemas movie theater, trying to relieve some of the pressure of the growing baby on her bladder. Soft music played in the speakers as the couple on the screen kissed for the first time.
Finn turned towards her, the light coming from the large screen projecting color onto one side of his face. The other was hidden in the shadows of the otherwise dark room. “You okay?” He squeezed her hand gently.
Her chest squeezed at the action. After the massage earlier, he’d surprised her by continuing the birthday celebration with a movie. It wasn’t the most romantic idea, but she had to remember that Finn was still a teenager in his mind.
“Yeah. Just brings back memories, being here,” she whispered.
He leaned in, his clean scent washing over her, melding with the smell of buttery popcorn between them. “Did we come here a lot?”
“When we were teenagers, before they redid the whole thing. Back then it wasn’t quite as fancy.”
His expression dimmed just a little. “I’m sorry. Maybe we should go somewhere else. I should have thought of that . . .”
“Hey.” She moved her hand to the side of his face, pulling him closer before kissing him. “This is perfect. I needed a low-key event after the afternoon we had.”
His hand eclipsed hers, holding it against his cheek. “You sure?”
“Absolutely. Reminds me of some other fun we got into here.” She wiggled her eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“Oh really?” His deep voice rumbled in his chest.
“Shhhhh!” someone a few rows ahead chastised them.
She giggled, leaning into his ear. “Let me go to the bathroom, and when I come back, I’ll see if I can suck those memories out of you—one way or another.” She winked before standing.
“You need me to go with you?” he asked.
“No. Be right back,” she whispered before walking down the aisle to the stairs leading to the exit.
She pulled open the door to the theater and squinted at the bright lights as she made her way to the restrooms.
A man exited the men’s room ahead. Something about his familiar frame caused her breathing to halt. He looked up, recognition flashing in his dark eyes.
Charli’s blood turned to ice. A thousand tiny pinpricks of fear leeched into her veins. It was him. Her attacker! She made a split-second decision and ran for the women’s restroom, not looking back to see if he was following her. She slammed the door shut, leaning all her weight against it as she clicked the bolt into place, locking her inside.
Her chest heaved as blind terror leapt into her throat. Drawing out her phone with trembling hands, it took her two tries to unlock it.
The door behind her squeaked as someone tried to open it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Charli pulled up Finn’s contact and pressed send. He was the closest to her. He would save her.
Bang! The door thudded against her again.
It rang and rang several times before Finn’s hushed voice answered. “Charli?”
“H-he’s here! Help me!”
“Where are you? Who’s here?” Finn’s voice was louder this time, the movie in the background getting quieter.
“The man who attacked me. Outside the women’s bathroom. Go right out of the theater.”
“I’m coming, baby. Hold on.” Finn’s firm promise brought her comfort. She wasn’t alone this time.
