“What kind of club?” I ask.
“Embody Positivity. It’s there for students who don’t feel like they belong, for anyone having issues with a fellow student, issues at home, whatever. It’s a bubble of positivity. There are all kinds of rules for how you’re allowed to act or talk inside the bubble, ya know, no negative speech and no excessively negative attitudes. You’re there to build yourself and others up, that’s it. I hate the action that created it, but I am beyond happy with the end result.”
“That sounds like a remarkable place. I wish we’d had something like that in my high school. Could have protected so many kids.”
He nods. “I feel like it does.”
“So!” I clap my hands together, changing the gloomy subject to something much more appealing. “Who’s getting grape and who’s getting strawberry?”
“You pick. I’m fine with either.”
“Strawberry for me then.” I grab the sandwich with a big G on it and hand it to him. “Doritos and PB&J? That sounds…odd.”
“You ever had them together before?” I shake my head, and Zach drops me a grin that makes my insides do flips. “Well, prepare to be stunned.”
He unwraps his sandwich and opens the bag of Doritos—family size, because apparently he’s a smart man. Then, like a total weirdo, he puts the Doritos on the sandwich.
“See? Now you.”
“I don’t know…”
“Trust me. Try it out. Do one or two small chips right on the corner. It’ll change your life.”
I twist my lips back and forth, contemplating this barbaric method of PB&J consumption. “Just the corner?”
“Yep. A chip or two. It’s delicious, I promise.”
Unwrapping my sandwich, I frown. “You made it wrong.”
His brows furrow. “The PB&J?”
“Yes!”
“How…” He tilts his head, a frown lining his lips. “How do you make PB&J wrong?”
“You didn’t put enough peanut butter on it. You’re supposed to put it on both slices of bread. That way the jelly doesn’t leak through. That’s it!” I throw my hands over my face. “We’re over. We’ll never make it if you can’t make PB&J the right way. This is a travesty!”
He titters. “That is simultaneously the most ridiculous and the most ingenious thing I have ever heard.”
Zach reaches toward me, and the moment his fingers collide with my body, a shockwave pulses through me. If I weren’t already sitting, I’d be knocked flat on my ass.
He lets out a gasp, and I know he feels it too. His fingers graze against my skin, the touch hot and soft and not enough.
He lingers a moment, and it feels like he wants to flip my hand over and hold it.
I want that too.
All too quickly, he takes his hand away, busying himself with unwrapping his own sandwich.
“The movie should be starting soon,” he comments in attempt to distract us both.
“What are we watching?”
“On the schedule for tonight is Transformers. I hope that’s okay.”
“The first one? Isn’t that movie kind of…old?”
“You know, I’m not sure. The calendar just said Transformers.”
I shrug. “Guess we’ll see.”
“Will you take a bite already? I’m on pins and needles over here.”
Right, my sandwich—I’d forgotten I was holding it. I bring it to my mouth, self-conscious knowing Zach’s watching me, and take a bite, chips and all.
The texture is…strange, but not unpleasant.
I swallow and turn toward Zach. “I’ll hand it to you, it’s edible. The peanut butter and nacho cheese together make an interesting flavor.”
“See? I started out eating Doritos on the side, but it wasn’t long before I was putting them on my sandwich. Now I can’t eat peanut butter without Doritos nearby.”
“Where did the idea to mix them come from?”
“You remember those crackers your parents would put in your lunch? Those cheese and peanut butter cracker things? That’s what sparked the idea. I loved them, so figured why not. Haven’t looked back since.” He winks. “Guess you’re not the only genius.”
“Genius, huh? I wouldn’t go that far for you.”
“Ouch.”
I stick my tongue out then take another bite.
“So, Delia…”
“Zach?”
“Can you believe we live so close to one another? It’s very…convenient.”
“You’re on the south side of town?”
“The very edge. About thirty minutes away with all the long-ass stop lights. Technically speaking, I live in another town, but I’m right there on the line between them.”
“Convenient, indeed.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please!” An older woman appears at the front of the crowd, her hands raised in the air, waving to get everyone’s attention. “There’s been a mix-up. Tonight’s movie is not Transformers. Instead, we’ll be showing The Lego Movie. Enjoy!”
As soon as she’s clear of the screen, the film begins rolling.
“You okay with this flick?” Zach’s leaned in so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. If I were to turn my head, our lips would connect, and I’d melt into a puddle.
“Are you kidding me?” I grin. “This is awesome.”
“Everything is awesome.” He sings it, and I can’t help but laugh noisily. I’m shushed and given dirty looks by neighboring moviegoers, but I don’t care.
“Will you go on a second date with me?”
“We’re still in the middle of our first date, Zach. You can’t ask me that out of the blue.”
“I already did, and I refuse to take it back.”
“What if I don’t like you by the end of this date?” I volley back.
“You honestly think that’s possible?” His dimples poke through his smile, and I know right then I’m saying yes. “Say yes, Delia. Be wild. Do something crazy and fun.”
I didn’t play it safe with Caleb. We rushed into bed together, into an instant boyfriend-girlfriend thing. We didn’t date; we settled. Our relationship was like a new toy at Christmas—fun for a moment, then all the spark and glam was gone and we sat around collecting dust. We didn’t burn for each other, and I think that’s why it was so easy to fall apart.
Zach? He could be so much more, and I want to find out just how much.
“Yes, Zach.”
His grin is megawatt.
“On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“I get to meet Marshmallow first.”
“You’re on.”
Ten
“God, I fucking love that movie. I’ve watched it more times than I’d like to admit.”
“It’s Chris Pratt, isn’t it? Even as a miniature plastic brick dude, he’s hot.”
“It’s definitely Pratt,” Zach agrees. “Have you seen the abs on that guy? They even make me want to swoon.”
“And that sense of humor?”
He grabs his chest. “You don’t even understand what it does to me.”
I chuckle and begin gathering up our trash. Zach bends down to help, our hands brushing against one another, heads bent close.
We pause, and our gazes meet for an instant. We’re sucked into a staring contest, a battle of wills. If either of us were to move only half an inch closer, our mouths would be fused together. I’m the first to tear my eyes away because we’ve been teetering on an edge the entire night—hell, our entire…whatever the hell this is. Our texts have skirted the line, and our brief phone conversations have too. I’m waiting for us to tip, to tumble over that ledge.
I want to, but I’m scared of the fall, too.
Zapping out of my haze, I say, “People danced! Can you believe that!”
“I can. We should have shown them our moves.”
I give him a surprised glance.
“I’ll have you know I’m an excellent dancer.” He leans closer and whispers, “Is
the Running Man still a thing?”
“I think that died out, or evolved. I’m not real sure.”
He huffs. “Well either way, I could have killed it out there.”
“Sure you would have, Zach. Keep telling yourself that.”
We pack the cooler and fold the blankets, and Zach’s gentlemanly enough to carry it all back to the car himself.
He closes the trunk and walks me to my side, ready to open my door for me. “So, you want to head back home or…” He trails off, waiting for my answer.
I don’t hesitate for a second. I don’t want this date to end. “Or.”
“Yeah? Let’s go then. I have the coolest coffee shop to show you.”
He opens my door and I slide inside. “It’s a coffee shop…what makes it so cool?”
“Just wait.”
Rounding the car, he slips inside and revs the engine to life. It purrs, and though I don’t know much about cars, I know this one is expensive. The rich leather is cool against my touch and I reach down to flip the butt warmer on.
“Cold ass?” He quirks an eyebrow up.
“My ass is hot, thank you very much.” He grins and shakes his head. “This is a really good-looking car, Zach. I don’t think I said that before.”
“Thanks. It’s the only thing I really spent money on after I sold my company.”
“I’m sorry, your company? As in you had your own business and it was big enough to sell? You weren’t always a ‘nerd wrangler’?”
He shrugs, his eyes focused on the road. “Not always, but it turns out I like being an employee more than I like being the boss. I mean, I’m still a boss in a lot of ways, but I don’t have to fire or hire people anymore. I don’t have to deal with all the shit that comes along with being the big man.”
“That’s…huh. I’ve never heard of someone doing that before.”
“It made more sense to me. I work from home but I still have office hours, so I can shut down for a while. I wasn’t able to do that before, not even when I left the office.”
“I cannot imagine.” I shake my head. “I don’t work much with school, but I’d die not being able to leave work.”
“Where do you work? I can’t believe we haven’t gotten to that question.”
“A movie theater, actually. The Movie House.”
“Shut up!” He slaps his leg out of excitement. “That’s a cool joint. I love that you’re served food while watching the film.”
“I’m one of the waitresses there.”
“Want to know something funny? I was this close”—he holds his fingers out, pinching them together—“to taking you there instead of a movie in the park.”
“That would have been hilarious, and slightly awkward.”
“For you. I still would have had fun.”
“So self-centered, Zach.”
That fucking dimple shows up again.
We’re quiet as he navigates us through the area I’ve lived in for the past few years. With my class load and work, I haven’t done much exploring. Despite that, I love the neighborhood.
It’s not long before Zach eases us into a parking spot.
“This is it.”
I glance out the window, trying to find it, but nothing screams coffee shop at me.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. You ready?”
“I guess,” I say, opening my door. I meet him on the other side and point a finger his direction. “But this place better be mind-blowing inside, because so far it’s as lame as you.”
“So not lame at all then, huh?”
“There’s that ego again, Zach.”
“Hey, you’re the one who keeps stroking it.”
I pause midstride, can feel my face heating with suppressed laughter. I glance to Zach, whose face has turned a pale green.
“That’s the worst thing that’s ever left my mouth,” he whispers. “I am so ashamed.”
The laughter finally escapes and I’m nearly doubled over, trying to catch my breath. Zach stands tall above me, eyes in slits as he watches me fall apart.
“Are you finished?”
I hold up a finger. “One sec.” Taking a deep breath, I stand up straight and run my hands over my hair in an attempt to smooth it down. “Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome…I think.”
Zach leads us to a slender maroon door. He pauses in front of it, and I wonder if he’ll perform a secret knock.
“It’ll probably be rowdy this time of night. I didn’t think of that. Is that okay?”
“I thought coffee shops were chill?”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re in for a treat.”
The second he twists the knob and the door cracks open, my ears are assaulted with the ping ping of pinball machines.
My eyes go wide when we step inside. Painted a bright, light blue with various old school characters adorning the walls, it’s a complete homage to video games: Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Mario, Zelda, Sonic, even Pong. There are at least ten pinball machines, a few skee-ball games in the corner, and big comfy-looking chairs circled around a bookshelf. The shop boasts the ability to play games and “be at the office” by providing noise-canceling headphones for anyone working to use.
We’ve hardly stepped foot into the building and I already love it.
“Welcome to Level Up,” Zach says. “If I ever need to get out of my place for a bit, I head down here to get caffeinated, play a few games, and do a little work. It’s become my home away from home.”
“I would have never known this was here unless it was pointed out to me.”
“They keep it hidden during the day, no visible signage unless you’re looking hard, but at about”—he checks the Donkey Kong clock hanging near the front counter—“well, now, they light up the outside. During the day, it’s an eccentric coffee shop.” He winks. “The nerds come out at night.”
Zach gives the barista a wave and leads us over to a high-top table that’s painted the same shade as the blue guy from Pac-Man. The stools are decorated as Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man, and I try not to read too much into the table he chose as he guides me to sit with a hand on my lower back.
“Do you know what you want? It’s basically your average coffee menu.”
“Something iced? And sweet? Surprise me.”
“You’re trusting me with your coffee order?”
“Yes.” I narrow my eyes. “Unless I shouldn’t.”
He puts his hands up in innocence. “Hey, I’m just saying. You could be picky and I could screw this up.”
“It’s not like I’m basing our entire date off this coffee.” I smirk. “Although…”
“Wish me luck?”
“The best of.”
I watch as he saunters away with confidence, marching up to the counter like a pro. The guy behind the register reaches out his hand and they exchange two slaps, a finger wiggle, and a fist bump before Zach points my way.
Even from across the room, his smile is magnetic. His green gaze is bright and clear, amusement dancing in the centers. There’s nothing hiding the attraction in his eyes. Zach’s into me, and I’m definitely into him.
After placing our order, he moves down to the other end of the bar, hands in his back pockets as he watches a kid play Roller Coaster Tycoon pinball. I’m not sure how I can tell, but I know he’s itching to go help him out. The kid bangs on the machine; it’s noisy, causing a few heads to turn his way. As he moves to take a step toward the kid, the barista slides our drinks Zach’s way.
He strides over to the table, drinks in hand, appearing awfully proud of himself.
“Here we are. Give this a whirl.”
I grab the tan coffee, eyeing it skeptically as I wiggle the straw around. “What is it?”
“Nice try. Taste it. Then I’ll tell you.”
After taking a timid sip, I’m surprised by the flavor. It’s familiar but I can’t put my finger on it. I take another, bigger draw from the drink, hoping to nail down the flavor.
“Is this…no. No way.” Zach’s lips are twitching at the corners and I know I’m right in my guess before I even say it. “This is fucking Cinnamon Toast Crunch, isn’t it?”
“Amazing, right?”
“I am never drinking coffee from anywhere else ever again.”
“That’s a hefty promise to make…”
“Yes, but have you tried this?”
He lifts a shoulder. “I might be the one who invented it here.”
“I could kiss you right now.”
I say the words, and I mean them. Sure, I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think I realized how badly I want that to happen until right now.
“That so?” He doesn’t miss a beat. “Because I wouldn’t object to it.” His hand snakes out, brushing back the lock of hair that’s fallen over my eye, lingering on my cheek for the briefest of moments. “This is the most forward thing I have ever said, but I would kiss you so hard if you’d let me.”
My chest feels like it has a thousand pounds pressing into it. Breathing is a strenuous effort, and my head is spinning like a pinwheel caught in the wind.
I want him to kiss me—hard, soft, any way I can get it. I want to feel his lips on mine, want to know if they’re as soft as they appear. I’m dying to feel his stubble brush against me as his mouth moves over mine. I want to know if he kisses the way he talks—sweet with just a hint of dirty.
“We’re in public,” I manage to scratch out.
“We are.”
“I don’t think this is a good place for that.”
“No?”
“No.”
“And why is that, Delia?”
“Because I’m certain once I start kissing you, I won’t be able to stop.”
Leaning away, he rolls his straw in his fingers, eyes focused solely on his movements. “You make a fair point, but one of these days, Delia, I’m going to kiss the hell out of you.”
“One of these days, Zach, I’ll let you.”
Hopping off his stool, he claps his hands together. “All right, we need a distraction. Let’s do this. We’re playing.”
“Me against you?” I scoot off Mrs. Pac-Man. “Why do I have a feeling I’m about to have my ass handed to me?”
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