She huffs but obeys. She sits on the edge of the couch cushion, reminding me of our first night together. That was a lifetime ago. It’s like I’ve known Elizabeth most of my life. How did she do that? I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her down to the couch, nestling her against me snugly.

My behavior earns me a squealing reprimand. “Austin!”

“Cozy?” I ask.

“Not really,” she answers with a smile in her voice.

“Good,” I reply with a laugh.

Both of us lying on the couch is a tight fit, but we manage. She’s short and fits perfectly against me, head tucked under my chin so I can see. I grab the blanket she keeps on the back of the couch and drape it over both of us as I wrap my arms around her. “What are we watching?”

“You’ll see, Maverick.” She presses Play and I know almost immediately what movie she chose.

Top-motherfucking-Gun!

The source of our stupid nicknames.

My Goose is a clever little thing.

The movie is playing in the background, but I’m not paying attention. I’ve seen it a dozen times. Who hasn’t? That’s not why I’m distracted. I can’t stop thinking about the woman pressed against me.

This is easy, even though it’s one of the most foreign things I’ve ever done. I’ve never cuddled on a couch and watched a movie with a chick. It’s so weirdly domestic. Most of what we do feels this way. Weirdly unweird. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to be with Elizabeth. Not having sex. Well, I fantasize about that too. But right now, I want to know how it’d feel to call her mine.

“Why didn’t you just ask me out?” I spit, not caring that I’m interrupting the movie.

“Ha ha. Very funny,” she scoffs.

I give her a squeeze to let her know I’m waiting for an actual answer.

“Wait? You’re serious?”

“Yeah. It couldn’t have been any riskier than propositioning me.”

She gives me a sharp elbow in the ribs, a friendly reminder that she doesn’t agree with my characterization.

“Seriously, why didn’t you just ask me out?”

“Easy. Because you would’ve said no.”

“You don’t know that.” I can’t see her face, but I’d bet my left nut she’s rolling her eyes.

“Yes. I do.” Her body tenses against me and I wait to see if she keeps going. “What the hell do I have to offer a guy like you?”

A guy like me? What does that mean? I’m the one who has nothing to offer.

She’s quiet again for a minute before finally adding, “Other than money.”