“Yes, please.”
I grab the bottle from her while handing her a plate with the sandwich and some vegetables and dressing.
“That looks so good, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I add the same to my plate and sit on the pillow next to her. These floor pillows I still had in the garage are perfect for a movie date like this. They even have a back support for old people like me.
When we’re both settled in, I turn to Harper. “Ready for the movie?”
She nods, grinning with her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk.
I chuckle. “Tasty?”
She chews the last bit in her mouth. “So tasty.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
The computer is close enough for me to reach, so I push the play button, bringing the large screen a few feet in front of us to life once more.
I still can’t believe this all worked out so perfectly. At first, I was planning on having a normal movie night inside. Somehow, the idea felt boring, like it wasn’t enough. Then I remembered how much Harper liked the backyard, so I came up with this mashup of it.
Give yourself a pat on the back, man.
I think I just might. The way Harper smiled when I took off the blindfold was worth all the trouble of getting everything out here and set up. One hundred percent.
We’re both focused on eating and watching the movie for the first part, until Harper gets out of the blanket.
My gaze shifts from the screen to her and her empty plate. “Do you need anything?”
“Keep watching. I can get it.”
“It’s no problem.”
She’s perched up on her knees. “Ryan, I’m pregnant, not bedridden. Now stop looking at me and watch the movie. You’re missing all of it.”
“I like looking at you.”
Her mouth opens and closes. Then she presses her lips together and shakes her head, her eyes filled with laughter. “You’re terrible. Stop distracting me and watch the movie.”
“Fine.” I cross my arms over my chest and do as I’m told. For now.
Twenty seconds later, I’m losing the battle. How is anyone supposed to focus on anything while she’s ooh-ing and aah-ing a couple feet away from me? The fruit and desserts have captured Harper’s full attention, and she doesn’t even notice me staring. Works for me.
She finally seems happy with her selection and spins around, only to freeze because my gaze is already on her.
With a twitch of her mouth, she points at me. “You’re not a very good listener, you know that?”
“I can be if I want to be.”
“What does it take to make the glorious Ryan Monroe want to listen then?”
I shrug. “Maybe the right incentive?”
Her eyes widen for a fraction of a second, but I catch it anyway. She likes playing these games as much as I do.
She puckers her lips and watches the dark sky like it holds all the answers. “The right incentive, huh?”