Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(37)

Jensen reached over and squeezed my hand. “Thanks.”

I gave her a reassuring smile and slipped from the SUV. Rounding the side of the house, I saw that the Cole clan had gone all out. Not only was there a massive screen up against one of the pasture fences, there were also blankets spread everywhere, each housing a few pillows. There was a table laden with snacks of all kinds, including old-fashioned boxes of popcorn. “J, this is incredible.”

She grinned. “I know, right? We do this at least a couple times each summer and invite friends and neighbors. It’s always a blast.”

“Lead me to the snacks. I haven’t had dinner.” Because the food I had made, or attempted to make, was very much inedible.

“We’ll get you fixed right up. I can make you a sandwich too if you want some real food.”

I shook my head. “A few pounds of popcorn and candy should do the trick.”

“Yet again, a girl after my own heart.”

I bumped her shoulder with mine, well I nudged her arm since she was so much taller than I was. We perused the snack table offerings with the rapt attention of true junk food connoisseurs. Popcorn, check. M&Ms to dump into the popcorn, check. Red Vines, check. Bottle of water, check. And Diet Coke, check.

Jensen snickered. “I’m not sure you can carry all that.”

“Oh, hush you.”

“I’ll help her,” a warm and weathered voice piped in.

I turned to see Irma walking up to the table with a stride of a much younger woman. “Thank you, Irma.”

“I like a girl who likes her food,” she said with a grin.

“Then you and I will get along great.”

She patted my shoulder and then relieved me of my popcorn, Red Vines, and water. “I’ll show you to a blanket.” A mischievous glint shone in her eyes, but I followed anyway. She led me towards a blanket on the outskirts of the grouping with two large pillows. “Here you go. Best seat in the house.”

I cocked my head, studying her expression. This didn’t seem like the best seat in the house, but who was I to argue with Irma. “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem, honey pie. Now, I gotta go grab me some Junior Mints before my son steals them all.”

I chuckled. “Good luck.”

“I don’t need luck, I’ll duel to the death for some Junior Mints.”

I shook my head as I watched Irma make a beeline for the snack table. I took in my snack bounty and set to work getting ready for the movie. I lined up my water and Diet Coke to the side of the blanket, Red Vines next to them, and then tore open my bag of M&Ms.

“You’re in my spot.” The rough voice sent a thrill through me.

I blinked up to see a large form against the white of the projection screen. Broad shoulders encased in a navy Henley cut to a narrow waist. The shirt showcased the dips and curves of well-developed muscles. I swallowed hard. “Hey, Walker. You know, there are about twenty other open blankets.”

He frowned down at me. “I always sit here.”

I started to giggle, couldn’t help it.

“What’s so funny?” Walker put his hands in his jeans’ pockets.

“Your grandmother sat me here.” The sneaky little minx.

Walker shook his head and looked heavenward as if asking for guidance. “It’s all right, there’s enough room for us both.”

My body tensed. Hours lying on the same blanket as Walker, the human embodiment of temptation? Not a good idea. “I can move. It’s no big deal.”

“Stay.” His voice was rough, sending a shiver through me.

I pressed my lips together. I would look like a fool if I made a big deal out of this. It was just a movie. A movie surrounded by more than a dozen other people. “Okay.”

Walker eased onto the blanket with the perfect balance of power and grace, only some popcorn and a beer in his hands. I squirmed in my seat and turned my eyes back to my M&Ms. Carefully, I dumped the contents of the bag into my box of popcorn.

“What in the world are you doing?” he asked, grimacing. “Are you pouring your M&Ms into your popcorn?” Disgust filled his voice.

My eyes narrowed at him. “Don’t use that tone. Have you ever even tried it?”

“Why would I?” he scoffed.

“Because it’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Don’t judge unless you’ve tried it.”

Walker reclined against one of the pillows. “I don’t need to try anchovy pizza to know that it’s disgusting. I think I’ll pass on the chocolate and popcorn.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” A combination of crickets chirping and people chatting filled my ears. Walker and I said nothing. A nervous energy began to course through me, and I became aware of every miniscule movement my body wanted to make. Setting my popcorn down, I got to my feet. “I’m going to run to the restroom. Do you need anything?”

Walker’s gaze trailed over my face. “Nope.”

“’Kay. Don’t eat any of my delicious M&M popcorn.”

Walker gave an exaggerated shudder. I turned on my heel and strode to the house. In my distraction, I almost ran smack into another woman. “Ohmigosh. I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching out to steady her and her popcorn.