Page 71 of Off the Edge

“A witch moves to a new city and starts a delivery service. There’s a talking cat, a great deal of flying, and very little happens for long stretches of time. It’s pleasant and exactly what you asked for.”

Camden side-eyed me. “I’m learning there’s a side to you I had not been aware of.”

“As am I. I can’t possibly be friends with someone who doesn’t watch anime.” I said it without a single note of humor.

“Pfft. What are you talking about? I’m watching it right now.”

As the movie progressed, Cam shifted in the cushions again, leaning against my side. He kicked off his shoes and pulled his legs up. My arm came down around him naturally, as though this were normal.

On the screen, Kiki swerved between city buildings, narrowly avoiding traffic before shooting back into the sky.

“She’s going to kill someone,” Cam said.

“She has only recently learned to fly.”

He commented a few more times, and near the end, when Kiki stood with the broom, unable to make it fly to respond to the danger that had unfolded above the city, Cam leaned forward.

“C’mon,” he said, elbows on his knees, watching the screen.

Kiki got the broom going and rose into the air.

“There, she has it.” He sat back, slotting against my side, and looked up. “What?”

“Nothing.” He’d clearly been engrossed.

“It’s a good movie.”

“Yes, it is.”

He laughed a little, and settled down to watch the end.

When the credits rolled, he sat forward and stretched. “What’s next?”

It was getting late, but I had no intention of falling asleep while he needed the distraction.

“Any more anime?” he asked.

“Plenty, I’m sure.”

I grabbed the remote in my right hand, while Cam settled back against my left side. His hand fell to my thigh and rested there. I idly channel-surfed, not paying much attention to the TV.

“What’s that one?” he asked, spotting one I’d quickly flicked past. He motioned for me to switch back.

“Ah, that one is . . .” I trailed off. “You won’t like that one.”

“Pfft. But it has ice skating. I mean, c’mon . . . talk about relevant.”

“It’s . . .” My heart did a little hiccup.

“Go back. What’s it called?” He stole the remote from my hand, then flicked back. “Yuri on Ice? You’ve definitely seen this one, right?”

“I have,” I admitted. I’d devoured Yuri on Ice when it had been released. Multiple times. Until my father had realized what it was about and quickly put a stop to it.

“And?”

“And . . . it’s about a Japanese figure skater named Yuri,” I said.

Cam waited, blue eyes wide and questioning. “And?”