Tom's POV
The moment we stepped out of the car, the warm evening air was replaced by the cool blast of the theater's air conditioning as we walked through the glass doors. The lobby was alive with people.
Families shuffled toward different screens carrying oversized tubs of popcorn. Teenagers laughed loudly in groups, couples stood in line with their fingers intertwined, and the smell of freshly popped popcorn mixed with melted butter and candy hung thick in the air.
Imogen looked around with a small smile, taking it all in.
"So," I asked as we stopped beneath the glowing movie listings, "what exactly are we watching?"
She looked up at the board before smiling mischievously.
"A comedy."
"A comedy?" I repeated.
"Mhm."
I chuckled.
"I would've guessed romance."
She wrinkled her nose dramatically. "Those are overrated."
I laughed.
"Fair enough."
She pointed toward the concession stand where a line had already formed.
"We should probably get snacks before the movie starts."
"I'll go," I said immediately.
She looked at me.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
"I can pay."
"I know."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
A smile escaped her lips before she reached into her little handbag.
"At least let me pay for—"
I shook my head.
"Nope."
"Tom."
"I invited myself to buy the snacks."
She rolled her eyes. "That's not even how invitations work."
"Too late."
She sighed dramatically before giving in. "Fine."
"I'll be right back."
She nodded.
"I'll wait over there."
I watched her walk toward a nearby bench before making my way to the concession stand. The queue wasn't too bad
Maybe six or seven people. I shoved my hands into my pockets and waited, absentmindedly reading the brightly lit menu overhead.
Popcorn. Nachos. Slushies. Chocolate. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Which gave my brain entirely too much time to think.
I let out a slow breath. This whole situation felt...
Surreal.
A week ago, if someone had told me I'd be standing in line at a movie theater waiting to buy popcorn while a girl waited for me, Imogen Storm to be specific...
I would've laughed in their fucking face.
Yet here I was.
On a date. With Imogen.
The thought alone made something flutter in my chest. I immediately pushed it away. Don't be an idiot, Tom. It's just a movie. Then another thought surfaced, completely uninvited.
Yesterday, she'd disappeared with Tyler.
And today...
She'd asked me out.
I frowned. It all seemed... Scripted.
Too convenient.
Too perfectly timed.
I hated that my brain even went there. Imogen had never given me a reason not to trust her. Not really. Still... The thought refused to leave. It lingered in the back of my mind like an itch I couldn't scratch.
I shook my head. Get a grip. She was waiting for me. And the last thing I wanted was to ruin tonight because my brain insisted on overthinking every fucking thing.
The line moved quicker than I expected. When it was finally my turn, I stepped up to the counter.
"Large popcorn," I said. "One strawberry slushie, one blue raspberry... and..." I glanced over the rows of candy. "A packet of gummy bears, peanut M&M's, and a large bag of sour worms."
The cashier rang everything up, handed me the drinks first before sliding the giant bucket of popcorn across the counter.
"Enjoy the movie."
"Thanks."
Balancing the snacks was a bit of a pain in the ass, but I managed. Imogen spotted me immediately and smiled as I walked over.
"You bought half the concession stand," she teased, taking one of the slushies from my hand.
"I bought snacks."
She laughed, shaking her head. "I can see that."
She handed our tickets to the usher and made our way inside. The theater was dimly lit, trailers already playing on the massive screen.
"Ladies first."
"Such a gentleman," she giggled.
"I have my moments." We found our seats in the middle row, right in the center.
I placed the popcorn between us and handed her the candy. The lights dimmed completely, and before long the movie started.
It turned out to be genuinely funny. Not the kind where you politely chuckle because everyone else is laughing.
A couple of scenes had both of us laughing so hard we had to wipe tears from our eyes. Every now and then she'd nudge my arm after a particularly good joke, and I'd catch myself grinning before turning back to the screen.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
Everything felt normal. Then—
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
Fuck
I frowned.
"Sorry," I whispered. "I'll put it on silent."
Imogen nodded, her attention still on the screen.
I pulled my phone out just enough to silence it.
Cassie: "Hey Tommy. I'm at your house. Where are you?"
I quickly typed back.
"I'm out right now hanging out with Imogen. Can't today."
Almost immediately, another message appeared.
Cassie: "Oh okay. Where are you guys?"
"At the movies."
I slipped my phone onto silent and tucked it back into my pocket.
"Everything okay?" Imogen asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"Who was it?"
"It's nothing."
She looked at me curiously.
"Really."
"It was just Cassandra."
"...Oh."
Something about the way she said it caught my attention.
Not angry.
Not upset.
Just...
Disappointed.
I turned slightly toward her. "What's up?"
She hesitated, eyes remaining fixed on the movie.
"I don't know..." she admitted quietly. "I just get the impression she doesn't really like me."
I blinked."What?"