Page 53 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

“The first one, obviously.” He laughed.

“What are you waiting for?” She looked at the projector, searching for the play button.

Tom laughed harder. “Don’t you want to eat first? I brought hummus, you’re hurting its feelings.”

“You brought food too?” Rachel sounded impressed.

“I did.” He went to the car, pulling out three containers from the trunk. “Lemon rice, kofta kebabs, roasted vegetables, and hummus.”

“A different cousin works at a different restaurant?” Clarissa asked.

“Close. One married a man from the Mediterranean and together they own a restaurant. Lemons ’n’ Garlic on Main Street.”

“Again, I ask, how many cousins do you have?” Clarissa ogled him as he handed out containers of food.

“My family has a habit of calling close friends cousins,” he admitted. “By blood, I think I only have six.”

“You call so many people your cousin, you don’t even remember how many real cousins you have?” she asked.

“Call it a character flaw.” He pulled out three bottles of lemonade.

Rachel thanked him for the food and settled into the far-right beanbag. Handing Clarissa her bottle, she thanked him. When he didn’t let go, she looked up at him.

He pulled her in close, leaning into her. Hot breath on her ear, his cologne intoxicated her. Her eyes fluttered closed and she took in a deep breath.

“You look beautiful.” His whisper sent shivers down her spine, warmth pooling in her lower abdomen.

He released the lemonade and pulled back, smirking before turning away.

Letting out a shaky breath, she settled into the middle beanbag and stared at her feet. This was going to be a long night.

* * *

With her dinner finished and the container on the ground, Clarissa curled her knees up to her chest. Leaning sideways, her shoulder was dangerously close to resting on Tom.

“Which part is your favorite?” he whispered.

“Isn’t this your first time watching this?” she asked.

“Yeah, and?”

“Why are you talking through it? You should be watching.”

“I am watching,” he said. “It’s dark out and he’s punching people. But I’m having more fun watching you watch the movie, and I want to know what your favorite part is.”

“If you’ve been watching me instead of the movie, you should be able to guess.”

“You’d think, but you’ve been overly enthusiastic this whole time,” he whispered back. “I knew you liked the movies, but this is bordering on obsession. You might need a ten-step program.”

“Only ten steps? Well then, I’m doing better than I used to.” She smiled. “My favorite, favorite part hasn’t happened yet. Pay attention to Alfred’s lines when the fire happens.”

“There’s a fire?”

“Not yet. Give it about ten minutes.”

He chuckled under his breath and scooched closer to her, the warmth radiating off him hitting her side. It felt nice.

After a few moments, she felt something hot brush against her hand. It happened again, this time she flexed her finger toward it. One of his hands engulfed hers while the other brushed idly up and down her arm.