I frown. “That’s boring. It’s going to take too long.” Grabbing a pillow and putting it in front of my chest so I can lean my chin on it, I say, “Just tell me something and then tell me what it means.” I’ve never been patient with languages. As much as I can read for hours at the office without batting an eye, I don’t like having to start something from scratch. I want to know it all right away.

I wait for him to give me a sentence, but like earlier, he only observes me for a while. When I start feeling scrutinized, I touch my hair to make sure I don’t have crazy bedhead. “What?” I say, chuckling.

He shakes his head, then says, “Nunca me habia sentido asi por alguien.”

I repeat the words, which makes the corners of his lips tilt up. I probably destroyed the entire sentence with my pronunciation, but he doesn’t tease me about it, so I take it as a win.

“What does it mean?” I say.

“Just…” His throat bobs. “We should watch a movie or something.”

“Oh. That’s what you said?”

He nods. I don’t know why, but something in his face has changed. As if he doesn’t feel like teaching me Spanish right now.

“What kind of movie are we talking about?” I ask.

“Whatever you want.”

“You’re giving me free rein? Really?”

He nods again, his traits soft in the moonlight coming from the window next to my bed.

I hesitate for a second, but then kill the doubts inside my head. We already watched a movie together on Christmas night, and it was more than fine. Totally platonic. It’s not something exclusive to romantic relationships. As long as we don’t cuddle, it’s fine.

Teasing his leg with my big toe under the covers, I say, “You like horror movies?”

“Hate them,” he answers.

“Really? Why?”

“Being so tense I can’t move is not my thing. Especially when the movies involve evil dolls.”

Hand on my heart, I say, “But those are the best kind.”

“Then we can watch that.”

“You sure? You won’t wake up my neighbors with your screams?”

He smirks. “Will you still love me if I do?”

I freeze. He freezes.

“I mean… You know what I mean,” he says, stuttering.

I force a smile. “Don’t worry about it.” A simple slip of the tongue. It happens. With a clear of my throat, I say, “How about a compromise and we skip the evil doll for a mass murderer?”

Seemingly as happy about the change of subject as I am, Aaron says, “Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Aaron

“Wren?” I call as I enter the kitchen of my parents’ place.

“In here!”