My tank top strap slips down my shoulder. I watch Miles's expression for signs of interest. He's not as obvious as his friend, but his interest is clear. His tongue slides over his lips. It sends shivers down my spine, seeing how much he wants me.
I pull my strap up. "Should we get tickets? It's almost midnight."
Kara pulls something from her purse. "Already got 'em."
Miles chimes in. "Meg and I can grab seats. You guys get drinks."
"Sure." I step inside the theater and take the door on the right. The Nuart is a cozy, single-screen theater. It seats about a hundred and fifty people. There are two dozen here tonight.
Miles presses his palm flat against my lower back, guiding me. My body fails to realize what a nonevent this is. Heat spreads from my back to my stomach and thighs.
Why stay through the movie? I should take him up on his offer now. I should take him home now. I need a release from my thoughts. I need a break from school and work.
I need to stop feeling like the weird buzzkill, like I'm the only college student who hasn't had sex.
Like I hurt so much I can't breathe. I want to be as casual and effortless as he is.
I take an aisle seat. Miles plops next to me, hand on the armrest, body turned towards mine. His eyes pass over me slowly. They focus on my bare thighs. "You keep looking at me like you're thinking about throwing me on your bed."
"I do not."
"Mhmm." His gorgeous blue eyes bore into mine. "Any thoughts you'd like to share?"
"This movie, it's all about how men shouldn't fuck with female creatures. It should be a warning to you."
He laughs. "True."
"You like Jurassic Park?"
"Why? Did you also not imagine the guy who wrote In Pieces as liking Jurassic Park?"
"I didn't consider it."
"Guy who's been through that kind of pain. He'd want something dark. Alien," Miles offers. "Maybe Terminator 2."
I let out a deep laugh. It's a full-blown belly laugh. I can feel it in my cheeks, in my sides, all the way to my fingertips.
It's the deepest, fullest laugh I've had since before Rosie died.
My eyes meet Miles's. I'm still not sure what to make of him. He treats everything casually. I don't. And I don't know if I can handle sleeping with someone if the sex means everything to me and nothing to him.
But damn do I want to seize this opportunity. When will I meet another guy who stirs this kind of desire in me? I have four years of medical school then another few of residency in my future. I'm not going to spend the next decade celibate.
Better to start now.
My train of thought is interrupted by Drew.
He steps over us, taking the seat next to Miles. "Kara's in the bathroom." He looks at his friend, shaking his head. "Meg, find me if Miles is giving you trouble. I'll take care of it."
"Next you're supposed to threaten violence." Miles chuckles. "So we all know you're tough."
"You think I won't punch you in the face?" Drew asks.
"You have before." Miles turns to me. "It was over a riff. I called it derivative and Drew snapped."
"Fuck you. That was an amazing lick." Drew shakes his head. His expression is equal parts teasing and frustrated.
"Not gonna change my mind no matter how many times you hit me," Miles says.