Thirty-two

ANDREW

A theater employee hands over the movie tickets and I head to the concession stand to purchase the snacks Lilah requested before she went to the bathroom.

I get in line and rock back on my heels as I stare up at the menu.

Typically, I’m not a moviegoer. But Lilah’s been on edge lately and I want to help her relax. She’s been talking my head off about a thriller that just came out and I figured a trip to the movies would be just what she needs to take her mind off whatever it is that she won’t tell me about.

Something’s wrong, but she won’t open up to me. I tell myself that she just needs time to sort it out on her own.

Reclining seats and greasy food in a dark room should be a step in the right direction. I just want her happy.

Before I have a chance to examine how I’ve never felt this way before, a commotion comes from the lobby area. When what sounds like Lilah’s voice reaches my ears, I abandon my place in line and rush to find her.

I’m floored when I reach the lobby.

It is Lilah. My Lilah. Standing in front of a small group of teenagers and talking animatedly about something that I can’t hear.

Judging from the stunned looks on their faces I know they aren’t talking about the damn weather. Something’s ticked her off and she’s letting them have it.

Who the hell had pissed her off? I could wring their necks. Tonight is supposed to be about unwinding, not giving her another reason to stress out.

Moving in her direction, I clench my jaw ready for war.

My initial shock turns to admiration when I get close enough to hear what she’s saying.

“You know, it’s people like you who make this world such a shitty place to live.”

She moves slightly, just enough to reveal a young woman in a wheelchair who is staring at Lilah with equal parts admiration and astonishment on her face. And that’s when the puzzle pieces start falling in place for me.

These teens were no doubt poking fun at this young lady and probably would have gotten away with it due to people’s largely apathetic attitudes in today’s world. But they’d clearly met their match in Lilah.

“Your parents really raised some gems,” she scoffs disgustedly, looking at each of them in turn.

Her face grows redder by the second as her anger mounts and all I can think about is that I’ve never been more turned on in my life. My initial instinct to intervene has been replaced by raging desire as I watch her handle herself like the powerhouse she is.

“Chill, lady. It was just a joke,” one of the apparent culprits intones moodily, pushing his long bangs off his face. The humiliation present on his pimpled face is amusing.

But Lilah doesn’t find it amusing. She’s still pissed and proceeds to chew them out individually. The poor kids are helpless to do anything but stand there and take it as the crowd around them thickens.

Using her body as a human shield, Lilah remains stationed in front of the woman in the wheelchair and opens her arms wide as if to welcome an attack.

“Come on,” she invites, her dark ponytail swinging wildly as she looks from face to face. “All the nasty things you had to say about this woman, say it to me. I dare you.”

I swear one of them gulps. But words aren’t forthcoming as she makes a show of waiting impatiently by tapping her foot.

Damn, look at her go. I’ve never witnessed this side of her and the level of respect I already had for her grows by leaps and bounds as I watch the scene unfold.

Sure, I’ve always known Lilah was a spitfire who didn’t take shit, but seeing her so fiercely protective on behalf of a complete stranger unleashes an emotion inside of me that makes my heart miss a beat as my palms grow sweaty.

After a pregnant pause, Lilah clucks her tongue and nods knowingly.

“That’s what I thought. Just remember this the next time you open your mouth to belittle someone — whatever insults you hurl at them says more about you than it will ever say about them.”

The three guilty parties look mortified if not remorseful as they turn to walk away.

When they’re out of sight, a switch seems to flip for Lilah because she looks around bewilderedly. It’s like she doesn’t know how she got there.

The woman in the wheelchair says a few quiet words to Lilah and she smiles and blushes in response. They shake hands and the woman makes her way through the thinning crowd. Lilah stands there looking at the woman wheeling herself away and appears lost in thought.

I step forward and kiss Lilah’s forehead soothingly.

“You okay?” I ask quietly against her hair. It smells like tangerines today and I inhale deeply not caring about the onlookers in the lobby of a crowded movie theater.

“I’m fine,” Lilah assures me, looking sheepish.

“What happened?”

Granted, I’ve already pieced things together on my own but I still want to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth.

“Sorry. I don’t know what happened. I was leaving the bathroom one second and the next second I see these assholes harassing an innocent woman. I lost it,” she recaps, avoiding eye contact with me.

Red stains her cheeks and this time it doesn’t stem from anger. She’s self-conscious.

What the hell for?

“God, I’m sorry, Andrew. You must be so ashamed to be out with me. I was already having a shitty week and this pushed me over the edge,” she murmurs under her breath as if she’s talking to herself.

“Never apologize for being passionate, Cupcake.”

For the first time since I’ve known her, her full lips quirk at the sound of my nickname for her.

“Good, because I can’t stand bullies. They make my blood boil.”

The contempt behind her words lets me know that there’s more to that story but now isn’t the time or place to unpack it all.

Eyeing the tickets in my hand, Lilah pulls in a calming breath and asks, “Have I made us miss too much of the movie?”

“Nah, I’m sure the previews are just wrapping up.” I throw my arm around her shoulders and steer her to the long hallway that houses all the theaters.

Pride swells my chest as we make our way to theater nine. With Lilah on my arm, I feel like I just won the fucking lottery. You couldn’t wipe the smug smirk off my face if you tried.

Though I wish she would open up to me about whatever’s got her on edge.