Starling Hills The fall guy date

He actually laughed, like really laughed with his head back and everything, and she couldn’t help joining in, chest warming, stomach doing a small dance. It was cute seeing such a reaction in an unfiltered form and over something they shared over.

Cheeks hurting from smiling, she nodded along to his retelling. ”Oh nooo, so you were even in a strange house!”

"Yeah!" He chuckled, enjoying the warmth they shared in this moment as they waited in line. Fortunately, they were next after the person in front of them!

"I think it was my mate's place, Andrew, I want to say? God. Haven't thought about him in ages." He shook his head. They'd just drifted apart in high school.

It sounded like they were close before time and distance pulled and she wondered when that was. Childhood? When they were teens?

”Where is he? Back in Australia?”

Jay looked thoughtful for a moment, then laughed sheepishly.

"You know, I have no idea? Probably." Jaden imagined he was still in their hometown. Maybe? "I got pretty big into surfing as a teenager, so that sort of ate up more of my time." They moved in different circles in high school.

It seemed life had been the drifter here which was a bit sad considering how Jay talked of him. Natalie had had friends like that, too, even some still on various social media that she cheered on from a distance.

”That happens, but I have to know, what was the inspiration that started that interest for you, then?”

"With surfing?" He hesitated only because he wanted to be able to answer Natalie's question well and honestly.

"I think I was always sort of into it but I started wanting to compete when I was a teenager. Honestly? It was probably just to have something to do for a bit and I loved it. Gave me a schedule that wasn't just 'go to school', you know?"

There wasn't some big inspirational moment that made him realize he wanted to be a pro surfer. He just knew he wanted to do something. Then he got injured. Then infected. His priorities changed but the risk in his life remained. It was just a different sort of risk. The jaguar hissed in his head, put off by the description Jay silently gave him, but then quieted down again.

The question had her nodding in agreement to that being what she meant. And into explanation he went.

Surfing had been an interest with no exact pinpoint as to why he’d turned to it exactly other than a want to do something and finding love for the activity, especially when it came to having something outside of school. Competing was a natural direction to go with it all, of course. Why wouldn’t you want to shoot for something you were passionate in?

”That’s so cool. I bet it led to a lot of fun times with friends and at competitions.”

Fun times with friends and at competitions. Yeah. It had. He smiled back at Natalie and nodded, not having a chance to say more before they were being directed up to the counter.

He'd let her order if she wanted, willing to step in though if she preferred.

Meeting the smile, her attention turned to the counter where their order was asked. Oh! Okay, so.

”A large popcorn.” To split. ”And peanut m&m’s. Jay?”

She was already grabbing for the wallet from her purse.

Hmmm. What did he want? Natalie was offering to pay this round and he briefly had a man thought of if he should take care of it or not. Decided against it, since she seemed at the ready.

"Make it two peanut m&ms, please." He grinned, happy to share in her tradition.

Two it was and she looked to the cashier to confirm that was all.

Ringing them up, she’d pay, more than happy to do so especially since he’d gotten tickets, and was soon offering over his box of treats before she grabbed her own.

”I always forget how large a large is here,” she laughed, balancing the popcorn just so so kernels wouldn’t abandon ship.

Jaden laughed, thanking her as she got them their snacks. It felt like a fair trade, so he let his discomfort over it drop. No need to make it a thing.

"Think it's big enough for the four of us?" He smirked, saying it a little quieter as he led them to their movie theatre, tempted to open his package of m&ms already.

The four? Oh! She laughed at that, looking over the tower of popcorn as they walked towards the auditorium that the movie was assigned to.

”I think it’s juuuust enough that you’ll at least get one bite.” A joke obviously! Natalie would not be eating an entire bucket by herself. Shifted, yes, but not here or now.

Jaden chuckled and if she hadn't been holding snacks, he might have taken her hand in his in that moment. It would have to wait until the movie started.

"Thank you," He added. "You are very generous." He smirked, a light teasing tone in his voice. He had a look at their tickets and found their seats easily enough about midway up the theatre.

She was! ”It’s one of my special skills.”

Looking at the ticket being brought out, she’d follow towards the seats in question. Moving to take one, she carefully made to sit without spilling the whole thing on her or the floor. What a travesty that’d be. And, success! Looking victoriously up at Jay, she’d offer over the popcorn. ”Do you want to hold it?” She was all for doing so, but sometimes people had preferences.

Now that he was certain of! Natalie had never been anything but kind and generous in the time he'd known her. He was glad they could agree on that.

"I was actually sort of thinking-" He took his seat and opened his bag of peanut m&ms, placing it in one of the cup holders before looking back at Natalie. "-that I might like to hold your hand instead."

He smiled.

She blinked at him expectantly and then felt her whole face heat up. It was just a hand, but! Words were hard to find for a beat as he smiled at her after saying such a smooth unexpected reply. ”Oh-”

He was looking for a response! ”Oh, okay, yeah, um! I’d like that, too.” Very much actually. And it was really nice to be asked instead of wondering during the movie, attention halfway there and not.

The popcorn was put between them with the outside of one of her legs and the side of the chair keeping it upright, the box of candy placed in the other holder, so by the time things were away she had free hands.

Natalie offered the closest one over, palm up.

The blush was cute though he hadn't meant to make her embarrassed or shy. He was ready for her to deny him, which he would accept, when she agreed. She'd like that too. He grinned and readied his jaguar for flashes of a wolf again while she got settled. When her hand was offered, he took it gently in his and gave it a small squeeze.

He got all sorts of images of fur, which was sure to be a little distracting during the movie but he didn't mind. He was here for the shared experience with Natalie.

The lights dimmed soon after and previews began. Occasionally, he'd glance at Natalie and smile or reach for popcorn or m&ms. Jaden was overjoyed to spend time together.

His warm hand went into hers and the wolf flicked ears before trying to get a better understanding of what was on the other side, sniffing around the edges of what should be there. Patterned fur with splashes of white and orange. But, also, Jay.

Knowing Jay was probably dealing with the same back had her easing into it and the movie as it started. Catching a few looks and giving some of her own, the movie ended up being a fun one. It was full of moments she was moved to tears to and others that had her laughing or gasping in surprise; the scene with Ryan Gosling crying over his ex to Taylor Swift in the car before being found by her quickly shooting to one of the best parts by the end. Being able to watch the whole story alongside someone she liked made it even better and Natalie held the hand in hers a little tighter for it.