Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
The movie started out very cute. But then, about ten minutes in, I sat up straight and exclaimed, “Wait—did that character just die?”
“Yeah, but keep watching.”
“What the hell! I was just starting to care about them. What kind of messed up Disney snuff film is this?”
Romy sat up and reached for the remote as he said, “I have to wind it back. You’re talking over everything.”
“Nothing’s happening, because their partner is dead. And they never even made it to South America!”
He paused the film and asked, “Are you crying?”
“No.” I quickly wiped my eyes, which might have been slightly damp.
“Aw, yes you are.” He shifted around so we were curled up together on my end of the couch and kissed my cheek before saying, “Don’t worry, it gets happier.”
“Because their spouse isn’t dead after all?”
“Nope, no one miraculously un-dies. It was important to the story, though.”
“That’s cold. Also, how is this your favorite movie? It’s fucking depressing.”
Romy tried to look stern, but he was clearly fighting back a grin as he asked, “Are you done complaining so we can keep watching?”
“I guess.”
Once we both got settled, nestled together this time like a pair of spoons, he pressed play. Fortunately, the movie took a major upswing a few minutes later. Some parts of it were actually very funny. There was a bit toward the end with a scrapbook that made me tear up again, but overall, it turned out to be a surprisingly good movie.
When it ended, Romy sat up and turned to look at me as he asked, “Did you like it?”
My answer was clearly important to him. He’d just shared something that mattered to him, and it seemed like he was hoping for my approval. I drew him into my arms and said, “It was wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with me.” He looked relieved as we curled up again. “So, tell me. What makes that your favorite movie, among the hundreds you’ve watched?”
He thought about it before saying, “When the movie first came out, I guess I identified with Russell. He was this dorky, earnest kid with an absentee dad, and he tried so hard to do the right thing, and…I don’t know. That character just spoke to me.
“Then there was the wonder of it—flying off on a big adventure with a million balloons, how great is that? And at its heart, it’s such a beautiful love story. Who doesn’t want a love like the one Carl and Ellie shared?”
“I’m glad I asked,” I said, “because that tells me a lot about you.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“For one thing, you’re a hopeless romantic.”
“Not hopeless,” Romy told me with a grin. “I was, for a while there. But now…now I’d have to say I’m back to being hopeful.”
We spent the next few hours talking about light subjects like movies and books. When Romy’s lids started to get heavy, I nuzzled his cheek and told him, “We should probably think about going to bed.”
“This was such a good day,” he mumbled drowsily. “I don’t want it to end.”
“It was the best day of my life.” I meant that. “Just think though, tomorrow’s a brand new day.”
“What should we do tomorrow?”
“Anything you want.”
“The zoo? It’s supposed to be incredible.” He was so tired that his words were starting to slur.
“Of course, baby.”
I got up and gathered him into my arms, and he whispered, “Stay with me, Marcus. Sleep in my bed with me, so we can wake up together.”
“You know that’s a bad idea, Romy. I’m going to freak out when I wake up in an unfamiliar place. What if I lash out at you before I’m fully awake?”
“I’ll take my chances. Please? I want you to hold me.”
How could I say no to that? Maybe I could stay awake all night. It was definitely worth a try.
I tucked him into bed and dropped my jeans onto the floor before sliding under the covers with him. He was almost asleep, but he reached for me with both hands. We curled around each other, and I breathed in his clean scent.
I never knew it was possible to feel this good, or be this happy.
7
Romy
I woke up in Marcus’s arms, with a vague recollection of begging him to stay with me the night before. He was still asleep, and it occurred to me I should probably slip out of bed, just in case he freaked out when he woke up in an unfamiliar setting.
But I ended up lingering because I was so warm and comfortable, and pretty soon he murmured, “Romy.”
He drew me closer, and after a few moments, I asked, “Are you awake?”
“Mostly.” His voice was deep and rough.
I grinned and told him, “You didn’t freak out when you woke up, even though you were someplace unfamiliar.”
He mumbled, as he nuzzled my hair, “I wasn’t someplace unfamiliar. I was with you.” I thought that was amazing. Did it mean he was already so comfortable with me that I’d become his safe place? “I meant to stay awake,” he added, “just to avoid doing something ridiculous when I woke up. Obviously, I failed at that.”