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She turns around. “Because that date got set up before I could say weirdo.”

Elle holds her hand up. “It’s okay, guys, no one forced me to go out with him. If anything, that experience made me forget about Paul for a couple of hours.”

At the mention of her ex, my stomach drops. I want to ask her for details about the way things ended between them, but I shouldn’t bring that up right now.

Oh, whatever, I need to know.

“So, you and Paul. Not a good experience, huh?”

“Not really. He almost left me homeless in Paris after dumping me for some model.” She shakes her head. “Gosh, when I say it like that, it sounds like the plot of a cheap movie.”

I give her a sympathetic smile. “Want me to break his legs? Hit him over the head with a baguette? Stuff his mailbox full of stinky cheese?”

She laughs at my silly remarks, even though I mean them. If she needs me to, I’ll make this guy’s life miserable.

“That’s a nice offer. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Maggie turns around again. “Sorry to interrupt your plans of revenge, but this new movie isn’t available to rent.”

Elle takes the remote and scrolls through the list of new arrivals. “We could watch a romantic comedy instead. If you guys are up for something like that, of course. I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, it’s all fine with us. Right, Co?” Maggie asks.

I nod. “Yeah, whatever you want.”

I’d say yes to anything she suggests, even if it were one of those bloody horror movies I hate so much.

Maggie turns the lights off, and Elle presses play. Twenty minutes later, it’s clear this movie has more spice to it than I expected.

“Wow, this is some steamy stuff,” Maggie remarks.

While the couple on the screen share a few passionate kisses, I grab a handful of popcorn and shove the food in my mouth, so I don’t have to offer up a reply. I normally don’t mind watching movies like this, but now I can’t stop thinking about Elle’s cute smile and the way her hair frames her beautiful face.

When our eyes meet, I can tell she’s thinking about other things as well. Not me, obviously. That would be way too cocky to believe, but on some level, I still hope the thoughts that swirl around in her mind are about me.

“I need to make a pit stop,” I say.

“Can’t take the heat, huh,” Maggie jokes.

I lock myself in our bathroom and throw some cold water in my face. My sister’s right. I can’t take the heat, but not because of the movie. It’s Elle who’s lighting me on fire.

I stare into the mirror and give myself a stern look. “Get it together, man,” I whisper. “Keep it cool.”

After my short pep talk, I head back out there as if nothing happened. I did forget to actually pee, though, but I can’t turn around again now. They’ll both think there’s something wrong with me.

I plop back down on the couch, and we resume our movie night. Every time Elle breaks out into laughter because of a funny scene, I can’t help but look at her.

“Isn’t this great?” she asks me, her eyes sparkling with joy.

I nod. “The best.”

When the credits roll, Maggie gets up and yawns. “This was fun, but I’m exhausted. I’m heading to bed. You’ll be here next Thursday, right?”

“Me?” I ask. “Probably, yeah.”

“Well, good night. I’ll see you two in the morning,” she says, and then it’s just me and Elle in the room.

I don’t know what to say or do or ask. This isn’t like me. I normally have an answer to everything.