He kept his expression mild. “Are we done here?”
She crossed her arms. “Yeah, I guess we are.”
He smirked. “I look forward to my wedding invitation. I’m assuming you’ll toast me for bringing you two together.”
“God, you’re such a dick sometimes.” She grabbed her phone off the table and strode out.
“One of my finest qualities,” he muttered as she left.
When he was alone again, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand over his face, exhausted by the exchange. He didn’t want to fight with Chris. He didn’t want to share any emotion with her anymore. But every time he saw her, it reminded him of who he was now, of the life he’d lost. She was moving on. Marriage. A baby. She was heading toward the future he thought would be his.
And what the fuck was he moving toward?
Another night at home alone with a stack of cookbooks and no one to cook for.
He couldn’t face that solitude tonight. He glanced at Andi’s book, and without thinking too hard about it, he grabbed his phone. It’d been almost a week since the night he’d slept over. He’d gotten an alarm and new locks installed. He’d checked on her a few times, but they’d both been busy and hadn’t talked much. She’d said to let him know when he was ready for a movie. He’d responded vaguely.
He was tired of being vague.
He found her name in his contacts.
She answered on the second ring. “Hey, Werewolf, what are you doing awake during daylight hours?”
Just the sound of her upbeat voice smoothed some of the jagged edges his conversation with Christina had caused. “Shh. I’m in my human form during the day. Don’t tell anyone my secret.”
She laughed. “Your secret is safe with me. What’s up?”
He picked up his fork and stabbed at his napkin, steeling himself for a no. “I was wondering if you wanted to make tonight our inaugural movie night? I know it’s last minute and if you have plans or work to—”
“I’m in,” she said, cutting him off.
“Yeah?” His shoulders relaxed and his lips curved.
“Absolutely. That sounds perfect actually. I’ve edited two podcast episodes today and spent last night wrestling with writer’s block. I could use a break.” She made a sound like she was covering a yawn. “You have any special requests for the first movie? Ghosts? Slasher? Monsters? Trashy? Sophisticated?”
“I’m a true horror virgin, so maybe let’s start out with something you consider foundational. I might not appreciate a later movie as much if I haven’t seen what came before.”
“Ooh, foundational,” she said, enthusiasm in her voice. “Is it nerdy that you saying that totally makes me want to build a lesson plan so I can school you?”
An image of Andi with glasses, a ruler, and a stern teacher expression flashed through his brain. Blood rushed south. He cleared his throat, trying to push away the pervy thoughts. “I’m fully prepared to be schooled.”
“Yay!” she said with glee.
He closed his eyes and absorbed the exclamation points in her voice. Her unchecked enthusiasm was like inhaling a warm spring breeze after a long winter. He loved her utter lack of self-consciousness about how she was feeling. After what he went through as a kid, he’d spent his life honing his stoicism. When enough kids bait you with Hey, freak, I heard your dad’s a drughead, you learn not to react to anything. To see someone so…out there like Andi was a novelty.
“I’ve got lots of movies I can pick from,” she went on. “Why don’t you come over around seven?”
They had plans. He already felt buoyed. “Tell me what I can bring.”
“An open mind and your drink of choice.” Something squeaked on her end, and he pictured her rocking in her desk chair. “Do you like pad thai? I can pick up some takeout on my way home, my treat.”
“How about I make some and bring it over?”
“Really? You know how to make that?” she asked, sounding impressed.
“Yeah, I used to make it sometimes at the firehouse. It’s quick if you’ve got the ingredients. Are you pro-tofu or anti-tofu? Because I can make it vegetarian or with chicken.”
“Vegetarian sounds great. Thanks.” She paused. “And I’m glad I’m not a betting woman because I would’ve lost this bet.”
He picked up his unused fork and twirled it between his fingers. “What bet?”
“I would’ve bet the farm that you were going to back out on our movie project. So, this is a nice surprise.”
He had almost backed out. He didn’t trust himself around Andi. She made him want things he’d taken off his list of options. But right now, he didn’t want to think that hard about it. He’d been overthinking his whole life since the day of the accident—maybe even before that. Tonight, he wanted a break from it all. Good movie. Good food. And a pretty woman who made him smile.
“I’m glad the invitation still stands,” he said.
“I’ll double-check it’s not a full moon,” she teased. “Don’t want to get bitten.”
He laughed, but the words conjured images he definitely didn’t need to be picturing sitting in a restaurant. His mouth on Andi’s creamy smooth skin. His teeth grazing her neck. Her red-glossed lips wrapped around his… He shoved the images from his brain, searching for something to say. “Waxing crescent tonight. You’re safe.”
“Phew,” she said with a dramatic flourish. “Wait, should I be concerned that you know the moon stage? Who knows that off the top of their head?”
“Andi.”
“Werewolves, that’s who,” she declared.
He chuckled. “I was only guessing. I have no idea what the moon phase is tonight.”
“Uh-huh. Don’t think I’m not going to google it now.” He heard typing on her end. “All right, we’re good. It’s a new moon—the moon of new beginnings—so it’s perfect for our inaugural movie night.”
New beginnings. That sounded nice, even if he’d learned new beginnings were impossible. Life didn’t really give you redos. The past didn’t get undone. Like when he’d moved in with his aunt and uncle, his life had improved dramatically, but living in a new place with a new family didn’t erase the marks his old life had left on him. “Sounds great. I’ll see you tonight.”
“I can’t wait to eat food that doesn’t come from a takeout container or a can,” Andi said, sounding genuinely excited. “Later, neighbor.”