“You’ll pick me up?” She tipped her head to the side. “Where are we going?”
“To the drive-in. We’ve got the construction team arriving this morning, remember? Then this afternoon we need to talk websites and publicity.”
“On a Saturday?” she asked, her eyebrow lifting.
“We’re on a tight schedule.” He shrugged, standing to button his jeans. “If that’s okay with you.”
She nodded. “It’s fine.” Her voice was soft. “I guess I need to shower, too. And make sure Zoe gets up okay.” Her eyes shifted from his. “And I’d rather she didn’t see you leave.” She took a deep breath, remembering Becca’s jibe. “Let’s not be the topic of conversation at Chairs this week.”
“I’ll climb out of your window like a ninja.” He winked, shoving his phone in his pocket.
“A really tall, loud ninja.”
He grinned and leaned forward to press his lips against hers. It was unexpected yet familiar. She kissed him back, trying to ignore the way he sent her heart racing.
“Be ready in an hour,” he said again, pulling away and opening her window, poised to climb out. “I’ll see you later, beautiful.”
Chapter Eighteen
Van, Age 17
“Did you finish that English assignment?” Tanner was leaning on the side of the wooden box office, his arms crossed over his muscled chest. He’d been playing more football this year and it showed. The coach made them train every night, but he’d still end up at her place as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, covered in mud, his body aching from all the exercise.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I did it when the movie was on.” She lifted the sheafs of paper in front of her.
“One advantage of the movie going on forever.” He rolled his eyes and took her assignment from her. “How long are they gonna keep showing it? There’s only so many times I can bear watching DiCaprio die.”
Van’s lips twitched. “It’s a beautiful scene. He gives his life up for her.”
“There was enough room for both of them on the door. Nobody needed to die.” He glanced up at the screen. The credits were rolling. Cars were backing out of their spaces and slowly joining the line to get out of the field. “Can’t you persuade old man Chaplin to show something with more action? I’m sick of chick flicks.”
“Titanic isn’t a chick flick.” She pulled out the cash drawer to count the takings. “And there’s lots of action in the movie. Don’t sulk because you’re jealous of Leo.”
“Jealous of that kid?” He shook his head. “No way.”
She stacked the twenties, then the tens.
“Tanner!?
? someone called from a car. She looked around him to see Chrissie Fairfax hanging out of the window. “We’re going to the creek. My cousin’s bringing a keg. You wanna come?”
“I dunno.” He shrugged. “What do you think?” he asked Van.
“I think I’m not invited,” she pointed out. “And anyway, I need to get home. Check on Mom.”
He turned back to Chrissie. “Not tonight.”
Chrissie batted her eyelashes at him. “That’s a shame. Maybe next time.”
“Sure.”
Van gritted her teeth and rolled the bills into cylinders, wrapping them with rubber bands. “Sure,” she muttered. “Because I’m desperate for a look at your boobs.”
“I didn’t know you were into girls.” He leaned closer, grinning at her. “Tell me more.”
“Your girlfriend’s trying to get your attention.”
“What?” He looked over his shoulder.