He turned toward me more. The glow of the screen reflected off his smooth skin, giving him a ghostly look and a dark shadow under his eyes. But I saw concern through the dim light. Genuine concern.
I popped some candy into my mouth and said, “It’ll be fine. It’s…fine.”
And it would be. Itwouldbe. It was still early. Tomorrow was two weeks since the injury, and I was doing everything Heidi, my PT, instructed.
“Can I ask what the story is with your necklace?” Preach asked. “I’ve seen you touching it before your runs.”
A wave of sadness threatened to drown me, but I waded through it and smiled. “It’s from my brother, Emmett. He gave it to me for my sweet sixteen. Right before he left for training.”
“Is that a running shoe charm?”
“Yeah, it is. We used to run together. He mainly did it to stay fit, but he could still kick just about everybody’s butt on every track team I ever ran on.” I shifted in my seat, so ready to change the subject. I’d told him a little more than I’d wanted about Emmett, but not everything.
And I so wasn’t going there with him.
Thankfully, right then, the lights dimmed and the movie started.
“If you ever want to talk about him or anything, I’m always here.”
Warmth spread across my chest. “Thank you.”
We didn’t say anything else to each other through the ads and the first half of the movie, but I caught Preach sneaking looks in my direction a few times.
As The Rock picked up two people and hurled them across the room, I handed Preach the tub of popcorn.
I shifted toward him, and above the popcorn and candy smell, I caught his fresh scent. It was subtle, but there.
“Thanks, Preach,” I whispered.
“For what?” He was so close I could smell the sugar from the soda on his breath.
“For…you know, what you said about my brother. Most people look at me like a pity case, you know? Or avoid the topic altogether.”
He nodded, staying close, watching me with those big, inquisitive eyes.
“I told you about Brodie’s mom and that I helped him through it. Like I said earlier…I’m here for ya if you need anything.”
Wow. He meant it, too. I could tell it in his voice. In his eyes. “I wish this was the Preach Armstrong I’d met when I first came to Woodhaven.”
“Well, then let’s start over.” He grinned and said, “Hi, there. I’m Preach Armstrong. It’s nice to meet you, Grace Milner.”
I arched an eyebrow. “I like this Preach better than the crabby, hungover Preach.”
“Me, too.” He chuckled. “Can I claim temporary insanity following that horrible event that shall not be named?”
I offered him a slight smile, then shifted my gaze to his full lips and back to his eyes. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest at the need I saw reflected there. A little fear danced along those dark brown eyes, too.
He leaned toward me, and I bit my bottom lip. He was so close I felt his body heat radiating against my skin. I should back away, but instead, I eased forward, cutting the distance between us in half. A mere two inches separated us. I could almost feel his soft, warm lips against mine. Like when I’d kissed him at the track.
I wanted that again.
The theater boomed, and we both jerked away. The screen filled with gunfire and an exploding car.
Great timing, Dwayne Freaking Johnson…
…
“You’re totally into my boy, Preach, aren’t you?” Willow said as she pushed through the restroom doors.