Page 162 of For the Fans

“Wait a minute…” I squint into the bag. “I don’t see a single PowerBar in here.” I peek at him. “What are you gonna eat?”

He laughs out loud, and my stomach tingles. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m on vacation. Plus, I can just go extra hard on the cardio later.” He winks at me.

“I’m very uncomfortable with how much I’m swooning right now,” I mumble, and he chuckles again. “Just saying…”

“All part of the plan…baby,” he hums, grabbing me by his jersey and pulling my lips to his.

We end up kissing until I’m practically climbing over the center console to get on top of him, but we both pull apart when we realize it’s not what we’re supposed to be doing right now.

I plop back into my seat with a hazy breath. “So, what are we watching?”

“Your choice.” He brushes his hair back with his fingers. “I’ve got all the best of Scorsese and Tarantino.”

“The kings,” I point out, and he nods.

“Naturally. But I also have my personal favorites… Rob Zombie’sHalloween, all the Texas Chainsaw Massacres,The Strangers, andSilence of the Lambs.”

“Oh right, I forgot. You’re a horror movie fanatic,” I smirk, and he grins. “Okay, well let’s goSilence of the Lambs, because it’s in my top five.”

His face whips in my direction. “It’s in my top five, too.”

“Really??” I gasp, thrilled by these occasional similarities we’re finding sprinkled within the sea of our vast differences.

“Yup.” He beams with pride, then counts out his top five on his fingers, “Silence of the Lambs,The Strangers,Pulp Fiction,Reservoir Dogs, andThe Departed. In no particular order.”

“Wow. Solid top five.” I clap for him, and he bows.

“Now you go.”

“Okay…” I hold up my hand, lifting a finger for each. “Goodfellas,Beetlejuice,Silence of the Lambs.” I tilt my head, and he nods. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, andDjango Unchained.”

“Hmm… So you’re a Leo fan, huh?”

“He excels in Tarantino movies,” I point out. “In my humble opinion.”

He nods, making a face like he’s impressed as he starts up the movie.

“Wait, so when I went as Vincent Vega for Halloween…” I murmur, watching his lips curl like he knows what I’m about to say. “You were totally fanboying inside??”

His face pivots, and he pulls one of his little scowls, though it’s infinitely less angry now. “Happy accident.”

I lean in, resting my elbows on the center console. “But there are noaccidents.”

He laughs, a growly one, tingling my balls. “Mmm… maybe I liked your costume. Just alittle.”

“Right.” I smirk. “Just a little.” He purses his lips to cover up a grin, and I sigh. “I can’t help but notice your list is lacking comedy of any kind.”

His forehead lines. “Pulp Fictionis kind of funny…”

A cackle bursts from my throat. “The fact that you think that proves you’re a psychopath.”

He chuckles, leaning back in his seat while the movie starts on the screen before us. “I just don’t like being subjected to… humor.”

I can’t help how I’m giggling in a horrified sort of way. “Oh my God, youarea fucking monster.”

“I’m just saying…” His words are wrapped in laughter. “I like finding things funny on my own terms. I don’t want to have it shoved down my throat. Which is why I hate stand-up comedy.”

“You would, you fucking ghoul.” I shake my head. “Have you ever evenseena good stand-up show? Bill Burr, Tom Papa…?” He shakes his head. “Okay, your homework assignment is to watch John Mullaney’sKid Gorgeousshow on Netflix. I went to see it live in New York, and I was almost peeing my pants.”