“Stupid question. Popcorn has to have butter. I think it’s a law somewhere,” I said, guiding him to the butter station.
“A law, huh?” He watched me put the popcorn bucket under the butter spray. “I hate the butter pumps. It gets the top corn all buttery, but when you get to the bottom, it’s like eating paper,” he muttered.
“I’ll show you how to get the butter down to the bottom. But if you tell anyone my secret, I’ll have to kill ya.”
He laughed. “Okay, show me your skills.”
I grabbed a straw next to the fountain drink dispenser. I stuck one end on the nozzle of the butter dispenser and the other down in the popcorn tub. “Now push the plunger.”
He pumped the butter, and I moved the tub of popcorn around, shifting the straw up and down in the tub.
“Okay.” I shook the popcorn around to get it all gooey with hot, melted butter.
“Pretty slick trick.” He winked at me and grinned.
“Shh.” I put my finger over his lips. “Our little secret.” I watched his eyes darken and let my finger slip away with a shy smile.
I’m so totally flirting! I’m not good at flirting. Am I doing it right? I wish I could text Muriel and ask what to do! Oh, wow.
Chay wrapped his arm around the bucket and carried it and his pop in one arm. He held my hand with the other, and he didn’t let go until we were in the theater trying to get situated in our seats. As soon as we sat our things down, he threaded his fingers with mine again.
He squeezed my hand gently. Something bloomed in my chest, releasing hundreds of colorful butterflies. Their wings fluttered against my ribs, tickling my insides in a weird, but oddly pleasant way.
We sat silently watching the previews play. His thumb gently grazed across the top of my hand. He held my hand throughout the movie, his thumb caressing my skin, leaving a trail of fire.
Halfway through, I dug deep for all my flirting prowess—which was virtually none—and lifted the armrest between us. I scooted close to him and laid my head on his arm. He tensed and I bit my lip, waiting for his reaction, but he settled back into his seat and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close.
I was sure that was what heaven felt like, because nothing had felt so good or so right in my life before.
“Did you like it?” Chay asked when we walked out of the theater.
“Yeah. It was scary.” Truthfully, I couldn’t remember much about it.
“You jumped a few times.” He chuckled.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Liar.”
“Okay, maybe a couple times,” I admitted with a grin. “You jumped once too.” I pointed at him and let my finger run down his chest, wrapping his T-shirt around it.
He laughed and put the back of my hand to his lips. I sucked in a breath when his lips caressed my skin. His eyes found mine and he smiled, unlocking the car door and opening it for me.
The night was rainy. Black clouds blotted out the moon, and fat drops of cold water pelted the windshield of Chay’s car. The raindrops covered the glass like a film, hiding us inside. I shivered.
“So.” Chay slid in the car next to me. “How ‘bout that chemistry homework?”
“What about it?”
“Tomorrow? We could work on it together. I could come over or…” He looked at me with a lopsided grin.
“Sounds good.” A finger of anticipation ran up my spine.
He blew out a breath like he’d been holding it, waiting for my answer. “Good. It’s a date, then.” He tilted his head to the side. “Milayna…”
“Hmm?” I answered with a smile, and my insides swirled. “Oh!”
“A vision.” He cupped the side of my face in his hand.
My stomach twisted in a knot.
Oh, not now, please not now.
My head started to pound, and I put my fingers to my temples. I could feel my heartbeat thudding against them.
Go away!
My vision blurred. With a sigh, I gave in and let the vision take over my senses. I closed my eyes and waited for the images to scroll through my consciousness.
Cherries.
Cherries? That was random.
A hand. Big… a man’s hand. It’s digging. No, no, it’s scooping something.
My eyes flew open, and I grabbed Chay’s arm. “How far is your uncle’s ice cream shop from here?”
“Around the corner a little way. Why?” His mouth dipped in a frown.
“Go.” When he didn’t move, I yelled, “Go now!”
“What did you see, Milayna?” Chay asked, alarm in his voice.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know if it’s your uncle, but I saw cherries and ice cream.”
A piercing wail. A constant screaming. Not a person. An alarm.
And then I smelled it. Smoke.
“Ooh, hurry, Chay.” I squeezed my eyes tighter, trying to see the vision and hear the sounds more clearly.
It’s hot. Flames lick the walls. There’s a sign. Uncle’s Ice Cream.
“Drive faster!” I grabbed my cell phone and dialed 911. “What’s the shop’s address? Chay! What’s the address?”
“I don’t know. It’s on West Chestnut, that’s all I know.”
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“There’s a fire at Uncle’s Ice Cream Shop on West Chestnut.” I pinched my eyes closed with my forefinger and thumb to ease the pounding behind them.
“Is there anyone in the building?”