Page 70 of Crazy In Love

“Exactly. Because Alana deserves to feel special for once in her damn life. That no one thought to throw a shower before now is a sin.”

“What kind of shower did you buy, Aunt Fox?” Franky sips his lemonade, his dimples popping as he side-eyes the rooster strutting across the lawn. It’s ugly and old, missing half its feathers, and has a ball-sack hanging off its chin longer than a ninety-year-old’s inside a sauna. “Is it gonna be bigger than the one that was already there?”

“Yes. And way nicer, since the old one was ugly and outdated.”

“High maintenance,” Tommy coughs out. “Good luck to your future husband. He better be a contractor with a Jack-of-all-trades skill set. Or stupidly rich.”

“Why not both?” I swirl my wine and bring it to my lips. “I’d prefer not to limit my options, and money is important when discussing futurerenovations. And husbands,” I add playfully, bringing my focus to Franky. “Hurry and eat, buddy. We don’t want to be late for the movies.”

“And Alana’s going to sleep,” Chris grumbles. “Guess I’ll go home and hang out by myself, then.”

“So sad,” I quip. “So, so sad.”

“Chris!” Franky spills popcorn to the lobby floor, beaming when his favorite brother-slash-uncle—what did I say about small towns?—wanders through the cinema’s front doors.

Am I surprised he came? Not even a little.

“Hi, Chris! Are you watching the movie, too?”

“Sure am.” He comes to a stop just inches from my back, his chest touching my shoulder and his aftershave swirling to the base of my lungs until a smile stretches my lips wide.

Stop it, Fox! Stop it right now.

“I like Spiderman, too, and there was nothing on the TV. Your mom already passed out at home, and Tommy wanted daddy-daughter time with Hazel. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Nope.” He gazes up at his idol—I swear, he likes Chris more than he likes Tommy.“You wanna sit with us, too? There are probably gonna be enough seats, since not many other people are here.”

“Sure, thanks.” He inches forward, leaning into my peripherals with a smug grin. “You don’t mind if I sit with you, do you, Fox?”

“Of course not.” I’m not in the business of lying to myself—others, sure. But myself? I prefer honesty—which means I wastotallyhoping he’d come. He’s a stickler for routine and the comfort of his own home, but damn, I held hope he’d give those up in favor of hanging out with me.

Us.

Me.

Whichever.

“Surprised,” I continue, pulling my phone from my back pocket and checking the time. “Since it’s… Oh geez, Christian. It’s nearly eight o’clock. Movie won’t be done till around ten.”

“I tend to stay up late.”

“But you tend to stayin.” I turn and pat his arm. “I’m proud of you for skippingcomfortabletonight, buddy. This is growth.”

His nostrils flare and his eyes flicker. He wants so badlyto say something about fucking me into submission and tearing the sass from my tongue. But he can’t, not while Franky’s so near.

And knowing that brings me a sense of power I’ll forever take advantage of.

“You should grab your ticket and popcorn.” I wrinkle my nose and catch the promising flex of his palm. Already, I feel it on my backside. “We’ll meet you in there.”

ROUND EIGHTEEN

CHRIS

My cock thickens in my jeans, expertly hidden behind a zipper and boxers.I knew she’d try to test me tonight. Wandering toward the ticket booth, I lift just one finger for the attendant, and when my phone vibrates in my back pocket, I reach around and swipe to answer, Tommy’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hey?”

“The fuck is going on between you and Fox?”