Page 17 of Resurrecting the Witch
“Let’s go, brothers,” I said. “And Lavinia,” I added on to be inclusive. “We have a female to woo.”
Chapter 5
The Haven Pass Movie Theatre was a product of the endless ranting and begging of my aunts and uncles to Gran before she finally relented. It wasn’t anything special compared to what folks experienced in mostly human cities. The outside had peeling paint and it didn’t even have a box office since there was only one auditorium and it wasn’t needed. Tickets were sold by the one employee on hand at any given time that sat behind the concession stand. The only time I’d truly seen this place busy was when one of our own residents had starred in a Hollywood production that filmed in Vancouver. We were so excited to support him we even got the print the same day it was released so we could see it when the rest of the world did.
It was also one of my favorite places on the entire island, so I was stoked Patrick thought to bring me here on our third official date.
He had his arm wrapped around me as we walked toward the front door, and I tried to stifle the little whine when he pulled away to open the door for me. He’d picked me up from Town Hall when I was done working for the night and said, “The cinema awaits!” and here we were five minutes later walking up to the town theater.
I hated how needy I was for his touch already. It made me worry what might happen in our futures, but I tried to enjoy the dating process and not think too much about it.
Which was a joke since all I did was think too much.
A simple door opening shouldn’t make me blush like a teenage girl with a crush, but for some reason Patrick opening the door had me thinking no one had ever opened a door better in their entire lives. And when his hand landed on the small of my back as he led me farther into the lobby, I couldn’t breathe.
I was obsessed with him, and it was only two days after our first date.
“Hey Cliona,” Dom greeted from behind the concession stand where a fresh batch of popcorn had started erupting from the metal container of oil. “Patrick,” he followed up with a nod.
“Dominic,” Patrick said and gave a slight nod in recognition. “Two for—”
“There’s only one movie playing, hot stuff,” a voice interrupted before the familiar blonde head of Gioia Hemlock popped up from behind the counter.
“Oh lord,” I muttered and pinched the top of my nose. “Gioia, why are you here?”
The last thing I needed was for her to witness another date of ours. She may have been like a little sister to me, but she was the worst gossip.
“I told you not to speak, Gioia,” Dominic said in a stern voice that made me smile. “And don’t call people hot stuff.”
Dominic was nothing if not demanding and I saw Gioia shudder a bit at his words. She’d been in love with the man since she knew what love was. And bless Dom’s dragon heart, he pretended not to notice her affection and never made her feel embarrassed for it. His deep brown skin glowed under the bright lights of the cinema lobby and his eyes shot toward the youngest Hemlock in reprimand at calling Patrick hot stuff. Dom’s hair, which always looked on point and I’m pretty sure was a dragon trait but thought it rude to ask, gleamed under the fluorescents so you could clearly see the dark-royal-blue roots, medium-aqua middle section, and stark white-as-snow tips of his longer dreadlocks.
“If the shoe fits.” Gioia shrugged and winked at Patrick.
“Gioia! When did you become such a flirt?”
“She’s been this way since her birthday.” Dominic shook his head.
“Is it a crime to admire the male form?” She eyed my date up and down and I felt the rumble of Patrick chuckling beside me. I hated it.
Dom sent Gioia off to do something, and Patrick pulled me closer.
“Is that green in your eyes jealousy,mo peata?”
“No.”
“Hrm.” He didn’t say anything else and simply ran his hand up and down my back. “Are we ready to head in?” Patrick asked Dom.
“Yes, Gioia is getting the print ready now.”
“What are we watching?” I looked from Dom to Patrick. Had they worked together to plan this?
“Okay, it’s ready!” Gioia called as she bounded down the projection booth stairs on the other side of the lobby.
“Good girl, Gioia.” Gioia’s cheeks reddened at the praise from Dominic and his own eyes went wide at his words.
“Is no one going to tell me what we’re watching?” I asked again.
“No,” Dominic and Patrick said at the same time.
