Jensen grinned. “Grab a sweatshirt, you’re coming with us to the Cole family outdoor movie night.” When I didn’t move, she continued. “We’re not taking no for an answer, so hurry your booty up.”
“Yeah, Tay Tay. Hurry your booty, this is so fun! We get popcorn and candy and watch the movie outside on blankets, and I get to stay up way past my bedtime.”
My face stretched into a smile. “I can see how that would be a blast, but I’m pretty tired.”
Jensen held up a hand. “Uh-uh. Sweatshirt, keys, on our way.”
I let out a laugh, helpless against Jensen’s determination. “Oh, all right. Give me a second.” A movie meant no talking, so it wasn’t like Walker could attempt another heart-to-heart. I grabbed a hoodie, bypassing the one Walker had given me a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t quite ready to give that one back, and I didn’t want to study my reasons for that too closely.
I nabbed my keys and phone from the kitchen counter and headed for the door. “So, Noah, what are we watching tonight?”
“The Sandlot!” he cried, jumping down the last few stairs and nearly giving me a heart attack.
“An oldie but a goodie,” Jensen said, twirling her keys around her finger.
“I’ve never seen it,” I admitted.
“Really?”
“Nope.”
“You’re going to love it. It’s hilariously adorable. This is Noah’s first viewing, but he’s excited because it was his uncle Walker’s pick.”
My cheeks heated at just the mention of Walker’s name. Shit. I needed to get this under control. I cleared my throat. “Well, this all sounds like fun.”
Noah chattered the entire ride back to the ranch house, barely letting Jensen or I get a word in edgewise. When Jensen parked, Noah bounded out of the car and rushed towards the backyard where I had seen a glimpse of a large projection screen.
Jensen opened her door but then paused, her fingers drumming on the armrest. “Bryce and his sister, Ashlee, are coming, too. Noah knows them, but he doesn’t know that Bryce and I are dating. This is my way to feel it out to see if they get along.”
“Are you nervous?”
She bit her bottom lip. “A little.”
“I’m sure it’ll go great. But if it helps, I think you’re smart to take it slow.”
Jensen reached over and squeezed my hand. “Thanks.”
I gave her a reassuring smile and slipped from the SUV. Rounding the side of the house, I saw that the Cole clan had gone all out. Not only was there a massive screen up against one of the pasture fences, there were also blankets spread everywhere, each housing a few pillows. There was a table laden with snacks of all kinds, including old-fashioned boxes of popcorn. “J, this is incredible.”
She grinned. “I know, right? We do this at least a couple times each summer and invite friends and neighbors. It’s always a blast.”
“Lead me to the snacks. I haven’t had dinner.” Because the food I had made, or attempted to make, was very much inedible.
“We’ll get you fixed right up. I can make you a sandwich too if you want some real food.”
I shook my head. “A few pounds of popcorn and candy should do the trick.”
“Yet again, a girl after my own heart.”
I bumped her shoulder with mine, well I nudged her arm since she was so much taller than I was. We perused the snack table offerings with the rapt attention of true junk food connoisseurs. Popcorn, check. M&Ms to dump into the popcorn, check. Red Vines, check. Bottle of water, check. And Diet Coke, check.
Jensen snickered. “I’m not sure you can carry all that.”
“Oh, hush you.”
“I’ll help her,” a warm and weathered voice piped in.
I turned to see Irma walking up to the table with a stride of a much younger woman. “Thank you, Irma.”
“I like a girl who likes her food,” she said with a grin.
“Then you and I will get along great.”
She patted my shoulder and then relieved me of my popcorn, Red Vines, and water. “I’ll show you to a blanket.” A mischievous glint shone in her eyes, but I followed anyway. She led me towards a blanket on the outskirts of the grouping with two large pillows. “Here you go. Best seat in the house.”
I cocked my head, studying her expression. This didn’t seem like the best seat in the house, but who was I to argue with Irma. “Thanks for your help.”
“No problem, honey pie. Now, I gotta go grab me some Junior Mints before my son steals them all.”
I chuckled. “Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck, I’ll duel to the death for some Junior Mints.”
I shook my head as I watched Irma make a beeline for the snack table. I took in my snack bounty and set to work getting ready for the movie. I lined up my water and Diet Coke to the side of the blanket, Red Vines next to them, and then tore open my bag of M&Ms.
“You’re in my spot.” The rough voice sent a thrill through me.
I blinked up to see a large form against the white of the projection screen. Broad shoulders encased in a navy Henley cut to a narrow waist. The shirt showcased the dips and curves of well-developed muscles. I swallowed hard. “Hey, Walker. You know, there are about twenty other open blankets.”
He frowned down at me. “I always sit here.”
I started to giggle, couldn’t help it.
“What’s so funny?” Walker put his hands in his jeans’ pockets.
“Your grandmother sat me here.” The sneaky little minx.
Walker shook his head and looked heavenward as if asking for guidance. “It’s all right, there’s enough room for us both.”
My body tensed. Hours lying on the same blanket as Walker, the human embodiment of temptation? Not a good idea. “I can move. It’s no big deal.”
“Stay.” His voice was rough, sending a shiver through me.
I pressed my lips together. I would look like a fool if I made a big deal out of this. It was just a movie. A movie surrounded by more than a dozen other people. “Okay.”
Walker eased onto the blanket with the perfect balance of power and grace, only some popcorn and a beer in his hands. I squirmed in my seat and turned my eyes back to my M&Ms. Carefully, I dumped the contents of the bag into my box of popcorn.