Page 32 of Rise & Fall

By the time we make it to the theater, which took less than thirty minutes, the sun is already starting to set, creating hues of purples and oranges in the sky.

I was mesmerized by her the whole time we walked here. The fact that she smells like lavender and honey, I’ll never be able to forget that scent ever again.

We talked about little things like hobbies, a few likes and dislikes. Nothing too crazy, big or personal. But it was enough.

She told me that North Carolina is home, but she was in Colorado for the past few years for school and then decided to settle down over there. But then she had to move back because her mom was sick. I could tell the subject was a tough one, so I let her move on naturally.

She also let me know that she hasn’t really had time for hobbies since being back home. In fact, this is her first time actually going out since she’s moved back. But she likes to read and travel when she gets the chance.

I learned that she loves peanut butter, and that she used to be a nurse. I also learned that she loves going to concerts and dreams of floating in a hot air balloon, which made me laugh.

For everything she told me, I gave her a similar fact back. North Carolina has always been home; I never travel much. I told her about my mom passing, how I never met my dad. I didn’t talk about my divorce or Jessica at all, at least not yet. I know it’ll come up, but I didn’t want to bring up that kind of baggage on my first date.

But I told her that peanut butter is better with honey—that’s the way Aria likes it—and that I’ve been in the construction business for nearly nine years now.

I hate that the walk isn’t long enough for me to learn more about her. The whole time she was talking to me, I kept thinking about the way her eyes glow when she mentions her little sister. Or how her voice is a perfect mix of sass and soft velvet.

I need more.

But I’m taken out of thought when the host asks, for the third time, for our tickets.

“Sorry about him. He gets a little spacey sometimes.” I hear Dakota say as she playfully digs her elbow into my side.

I have the host scan our tickets.

“Theater four to the left,” he says as he lets us pass him.

“You okay there?” She laughs.

“Sorry about that. Just lost in thought,” I admit, asking her if she wants anything from the concession, and when she declines, we make our way to theater four, guiding her with my hand on her back and honestly, it feels so fucking natural.

“So, a scary movie, huh?” she asks as we climb up the steps to the top row.

“It’s supposed to be good, but I’ve never been a fan of scary shit,” I say.

“So then why the fuck did you pick it?” The words fly out of her mouth, and I can tell she flinched a little at her use of curse words.

“Sorry, no filter.” She shrugs but I take in how fucking adorable she is when she’s being herself.

“Let’s just say a little bird told me that scary movies were your favorite.” I place my palm on the small of her back to lead her into the row.

“Wait, what?” she asks, stopping in her tracks to turn and look at me. The theater is dark so all I see are her bright green eyes glaring at me.

“I asked Aria after the playdate to ask Emsley at school what kind of movies you liked.”

“You did?”

“I didn’t mean to overstep.” I nudge her forward a tad to get her moving into the row again.

“No, no. I mean, you totallydidoverstep by definition. But it’s kind of hot.” Her tone radiates surprise.

“Hot?” I question as I get us to our seats.

“Yeah, you may be old Nolan, but you’re not too old to be hot,” she quips.

I laugh. “Whatever that means. Thanks, I guess?”

“How old are you anyways?” she asks.