She then gave a subtle sideways nod in my and Holden’s direction, and winked at Imogen.

“Um,” said Imogen, seeming to pick up on the hint. “Yeah?” And then she started nodding. “Yeah, sure.”

“See you guys after the movie,” said Wynezra, and she gave another wink, and it was definitely meant for both Holden and me.

“Shh—” Shusher started.

“SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” said Wynezra, throwing her entire body—my body—into it. She then straightened, adjusted her blazer with a sharp tug, and she and Imogen weaved out of the aisle and moved to the back of the theater.

It was just me and Holden and the armrest between us. Thank god for the Dr Pepper in the cup holder.

Holden took a long sip of the Dr Pepper, then—very sneakily—swapped hands and set it in the opposite cup holder.

Okay. Well. This was happening.

“Can I have a drink?” I said—even though I really wanted nothing to do with the Dr Pepper. All I could think of was the accumulated backwash over the past fifteen minutes.

Holden nodded, slightly embarrassed, and handed over the drink. I took the smallest sip I could get away with, then set it back in the cup holder between us.

Your move, Durden. Wynonna “Hard-to-Get” Jones is in the house.

Holden resolved to set his entire arm on the armrest, regardless. His hand was wrapped around the Dr Pepper as some sort of excuse. Then his grip lessened, ever so slightly. Then he sat completely upright in his seat, and his arm rotated just enough to allow his hand to fall open, palm facing the ceiling. His fingers gaped upward, like the teeth of a Venus flytrap.

I sighed inwardly. I knew what I had to do. Wynonna was making “a move” with Imogen. I could only assume she expected as much effort on my end.

I grabbed Holden’s hand.

There was nothing soft or subtle about it. I grabbed it like a TV remote—simultaneously purposeful and lazy and just a little bit exasperated. Holden immediately tensed. Then his fingers interlocked with mine.

Then his palm started sweating.

Wow. Holding hands really was the worst. Was this a universal thing? Or was it just something girls had to suffer through?

“Do you really think Liam’s going to propose?” said Jane.

“If he does, Jane, he’ll be dead in the morning,” I said.

In my peripheral, I saw Holden lean in my direction and look at me. I honestly thought he was going to whisper something to me, so I looked at him.

Then he kissed me.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.