LWLU – Peanut Butter
Though there had been nothing decent on any of the channels for most of the night, Sara was able to find her favorite movie, An Affair to Remember, on one of the classic movie channels. A chill had entered the room when Michael crawled through the window and it had yet to leave. Seeking warmth, she pulled back the covers and snuggled underneath, forgetting that Michael was due back with hot chocolate until the moment he walked into the room.
“Room service.”
She looked over from the movie to see Michael at the doorway carrying a tray with two mugs, a ceramic teapot and a plate. “Ooh. I forgot I ordered any.” She grinned and flipped back the corner of the comforter. “Come on over.”
“I think a tip is usually more customary in these situations.” He set the tray down at the foot of the bed and then sat next to Sara before handing her a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
“It might be more customary, but if I tipped you then you’d go away. And then who would I watch the movie with?”
“Good point.” He took a sip from his mug. “Are we seriously watching this again?”
“I like this movie.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
“It’s my birthday. You have to be nice to me tonight.”
“Fine, but I’m muting it when the kids start singing.”
“Deal.” Sara clinked mugs with him. “Why don’t you put the tray on the floor for now? I can put my mug on the nightstand.”
She held Michael’s mug while he moved the tray and then handed it back to him. “That might work for you, Sare Bear, but where am I going to put my mug?”
“You can use my nightstand as well.”
“I’ll have to lean over you to do that.”
“We’re not in kindergarten, Michael. I don’t have cooties.”
He took another drink from his mug. “I’m aware of that.”
They watched the movie for a while until Sara finished her hot chocolate. Michael sat up from his reclined position. “I have more.”
“No. I’m good for right now.” She set her mug on the nightstand and looked back at him. “Do you want me to go ahead and set yours over here for you?”
“I’m still working on it, but thanks.”
Ten minutes later, the movie hit a sweet romantic scene and Sara felt Michael shift beside her. A moment later, he leaned over to set his empty mug next to hers. As he was moving back he hesitated and his breath was hot on her neck.
“Michael?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
He quickly sat back. “Oh…yeah…leg cramp. It’s gone now.”
“Oh.”
They watched the movie in silence for a while longer, but Sara could feel his eyes on her every so often. She slid her eyes in his direction once or twice to no avail; he was never looking at her. This was nuts. Why was she suddenly feeling so nervous around him? This was just Michael. How many times had they sat in her bed watching movies over the years?
It must be the liquor in her system.
She snuggled further into the covers and Michael asked, “Still cold?”
“A little. Yeah.”
“Come here.” He lifted the sheet and comforter away from him so she could scoot closer and rest her head on his shoulder. Once she was settled, he tucked the covers around her to her neck and draped his arm around her shoulder. “There. Better?”
“Getting there. Thanks.”
Enjoying the cozy warmth radiating from Michael’s body, Sara let her arm go up around his neck and her eyes slip closed. The next time they opened more than half the movie had passed. Michael’s arm was still around her shoulders and now the other had slipped below the covers and was securely around her waist.
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re awake again.”
“Yeah. I guess I nodded off.”
“I figured you would. You always do after you’ve been drinking.”
“I already told you I didn’t have that much to drink, jerk.” She sat up and smacked his shoulder.
“Then don’t fall asleep again or I’m changing the channel on this movie you’ve made me watch a hundred times.”
Sara giggled. “Fine. Fine. If I have to stay awake then you’d better hand me some snacks to get me through.” He handed her half a banana with peanut butter in the middle. “I’m impressed. You got it just the way my mom does it.”
“I thought it was worth a shot.” He cringed and muted the television. “The kids are singing.”
“You really don’t like them, do you?”
“Nails on a chalkboard, Sara.”
“Oh.” She munched on her banana for a minute while she thought of something to fill the silence between them. “So, your brother is dating Roni now?”
“Yeah. He’s liked her for a long time.”
She nodded. “That was pretty obvious. It’s good he finally asked her out.”
“You thought Linc was obvious about it?”
“Oh yeah. Most guys are really obvious when they like a girl. I can spot them a mile away.”
“You seem really sure of yourself, Tancredi.”
“Because I am. Guys aren’t exactly subtle when they like a girl. Even a blind man could figure it out.” She shrugged. “It’s like a radar.” She popped the last bit of her banana in her mouth and gave him a smug smile once she’d swallowed.
“Your look of superiority would work a little better if you didn’t have a glob of peanut butter on the corner of your mouth.”
Sara wiped the corner of her mouth. “Did I get it?”
“No. Let me.” He reached out and instead of wiping off peanut butter; he let his fingers tangle into her auburn locks, pulling her within a hair’s breadth of him.
“There’s no peanut butter on my face, is there, Michael?”
Something fiery and unfamiliar stirred through Michael’s intense eyes as he looked at her. “No, Sara, there’s not.” His free hand moved to caress her cheek. “Where’s your radar now?”
Tears flowed free from Sara’s eyes in the open air and she lifted her frozen fingers to flick them away. She couldn’t think about what happened next…Not if she was to have any hope of making it unscathed through dinner. Maybe she should have let Nika take her out that night for her birthday. Then she never would have been alone in her room with Michael.
Then she wouldn’t be dying inside five years later when he was poised to marry her best friend…
Soothing hands slid over her shoulders and squeezed with only the lightest of pressure. “Everything okay, angel?”
“No. Things really aren’t.”
Paul’s hands slipped down around her waist and he hugged her back against him. “You know I’m here for you, anytime you want to talk about any of it.” He nuzzled the back of her head for a moment before saying, “I just want you to be happy. Tell me how I can make you happy.”
On desperate impulse Sara turned in his arms and brushed her lips over his. “You can make love to me, Paul.”
