“This way.” He pointed to the right. They made the turn into a hallway, entering the first door on the left into a dimmed room. The theater had the usual expected staples. Four chairs, red and plush, by five rows. Wall fixtures with soft yellow lights. An overhead projector and a large curtained screen. At the theater entrance, a touch-screen monitor had been built into the wall, displaying the extensive movie catalog.

“How about this one?” she asked him. “Have you seen it?”

Francis’s features crumpled with disgust. That was the most emotion she’d seen on his face so far, and it was delightful. She laughed, uncontrollably tickled by his expression.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“What’s right with it?” He sounded offended, truly, but softened his tone as he said, “Come on, Miss Actress. You’re gonna have to do better than that.”

Nicole blocked the monitor with her body so he couldn’t see and made the selection, navigating back to the main menu after. “The deed is done.” She chose the third seat in the middle row. The movie began almost immediately, the first sepia-toned shots filling the screen.

“What is this? I don’t think I’ve seen it,” he said.

“It’s a romance about a mermaid who falls for a human. Wait until we get to the shots where she’s swimming underwater. The actress did all of her own stunts. They look amazing. You’re going to love it.”

“We’ll see.” He side-eyed her with a knowing grin.

Fifteen minutes later, his quiet, “Holy shit,” filled her with triumphant joy.

“Told you so,” she whispered.

Something small soared past her—right in between their faces. Francis saw it too, immediately turning around.

Ethan sat alone in the back row, looking a little too pleased with himself. “I thought you two might want some snacks.” Taking aim, he threw something again, making the same accurate shot right between their heads. “I need to borrow you.” He climbed over the seat instead of walking around and sat directly behind them.

“We’re kind of in the middle of something,” Francis said, scowling.

Scowls could be cute. Imagine that.

Ethan looked at Nicole for permission. “Twenty minutes. I promise I will bring him right back. You can time me. I’ll even let you give me a penalty if I’m late,” he said, taunting her with his lopsided grin.

“Sure,” she said with a shrug.

Francis’s sigh turned into a grumble in the back of his throat. He followed Ethan without complaint, but playfully pushed him as they walked up the short set of stairs. Ethan laughed, pushing him out the door in retaliation.

Nicole was alone for exactly ten seconds.