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We came to a stop in front of an open, dark doorway. Carter held my arms and turned to me. “I know it must seem weird to you,” he began.
I held up my hand. “You don’t have to tell me anything. You aren’t obligated.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m some sort of spoiled rich boy,” Carter said. He tilted his head. “Megyn, I started out with a lot less. As my wealth grew, it took me a long time to adjust. Eventually, I managed to get it through my own head that I had earned this money. It’s mine. I shouldn’t feel ashamed to use it, when others have so little.”
I listened quietly, mostly watching his solemn green eyes.
“That’s also around the time when I realized I could use my money to help others accomplish their goals like I had. It’s been a long work in progress, striking this balance.” He leaned in, touched his forehead to mine. “I’m so busy helping others that if I didn’t have Antonio, I would probably never eat. My theater, I rarely use. I can’t remember the last time I swam in the ocean back there. But I have these things and I’m proud of them. I have earned them. And now,” he tapped my nose, “I get to share them with you! Okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed. If anything, he seemed to be in touch with reality. He remembered where he had come from and had worked to balance his wealth with his obligations as a wealthy person. Suddenly, I admired him a lot more, even more than I already had.
“Let’s go in,” Carter encouraged, nodding his head to the door.
The theater looked like any real movie theater, except that there was only one row of seats, and instead of chairs, they were huge, luxurious couches. Candy jars lined the walls, filled with an assortment of everything from Twizzlers to lemon drops, to Halloween-style fun-size candy bars.
“I can see why you hardly ever come in here,” I teased. “It’s so boring.”
Carter laughed. “Sit down and get cozy. I’ll put the movie in.”
I walked up to the center couch and sat down. The cushion enveloped my rear like a cloud. I sank in, breathing out a long sigh, feeling tension drain from my body as I relaxed. With a couch like this, it was impossible not to.
The theater lights dimmed and the huge projection screen lit up. Carter joined me, wrapping his arm around me. I cuddled closer to him, watching the beginning company names and logos fade in and out. I still had no idea what the movie was.
However, as soon as the movie really got going, I started to get an idea. And when the actual title of the film came up, I had it confirmed for me. It was the live-action version of Cinderella.
Carter grinned at me. “Good choice?”
“Oh, Carter! Stop it! It’s such a good choice.” I had to laugh. He was so sweet.
Carter pulled me even closer to him, so I was leaning on him. “I happen to think so, too. Antonio should be along soon.”
We started watching. I hadn’t seen the film outside of posters and images online, when I had been looking up references for my Halloween costume, and I could hardly take my eyes off the beautiful images. I wouldn’t even have noticed Antonio’s arrival, if he hadn’t had to open the theater door and let the light in.
Antonio turned out to be an older black man, with shoulders like a football player. He set up a folding table in front of us and placed a tray full of dishes on top. “These are crab cakes,” he said, voice hushed. “With arugula salad, tomato and pepper slaw, and herb roasted potatoes. Enjoy.”
I looked at the delicious meal spread out before us and my stomach growled, loud enough to be heard over Cinderella’s singing in the background.
Antonio chuckled. “Best let the girl eat before she tries to chow down on you, Carter. I’ll bring popcorn in about an hour. Enjoy,” he repeated, and left again.
“This is amazing,” I said, reaching to take my heaping plate.
Carter balanced his own plate on his lap. “Isn’t it? I’m very lucky. Antonio paid his own way through college by working at restaurants. No formal cooking education.”
“Wow.”
We sat back to eat and watch the movie. I struggled to pay attention to everything at once. The delicious food, the movie, Carter’s body pressed to mine . . . despite sitting still, I was so dizzy. And so happy. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been so happy. Even all the other times I had spent with Carter paled in comparison to this. Just the two of us, no distractions.
When the movie was almost over, it was time for a kiss scene between Cinderella and her prince. As their lips touched, I got an idea. I turned to Carter, looking up at him.
He tilted his head and peered into my eyes. “Yes?”
I leaned in close, my lips searching for his, hoping and hoping he would reciprocate. He brought his lips to mine and we kissed.
His lips were so warm and soft, I couldn’t get enough of them. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my body closer to his, feeling my breasts push on his chest.
Carter turned, putting one leg up on the couch behind me. He pulled me even deeper into his arms and kissed me harder, deeper, deeper than we had ever kissed before.
Nerves swirled through my stomach. I knew what I wanted. But I had done it so infrequently. I might not be ready for this.