Exposed Read Free

card. We could get in for half price.” She widened her eyes at Skyler innocently. “Do you think it’ll sell out if I just run home—?”
    â€œOf
course
it’ll sell out if you ‘just run home’!” Skyler mimicked impatiently, frustration seeping through his pores. He put his hands on his hips and softened visibly. “Gaia, it’s very thoughtful of you to want to get us a discount, but I assure you, I can afford the ticket price. Next time we can use your card.” He took her hand. “This way I get to play the alpha male.”
    Gaia shuddered inwardly, but she forced herself to smile back. The alpha male was exactly the problem. “Are you sure? I mean, it’s no trouble. I can go back quickly—”
    â€œEven for a superhero like you, Gaia, I think the line is moving a little too fast,” Skyler said, effectively cutting her off. He had managed to sound playful again. A frizzy-haired woman standing in front of them in line shot Gaia a dirty look, suggesting that Gaia was being every bit as annoying as she imagined.
    She was proud of her performance. But judging from Skyler’s ability to keep his cool, it was clear that she had her work cut out for her. “You’ve been so understanding today, Skyler,” Gaia practically cooed as they closed the gap between themselves and the ticket window. “You’re so understanding every day.” She wasn’t entirely sure how to bat her eyelashes or she would have.
    â€œNo problem, Gaia,” Skyler said sincerely. “That’s what I’m here for.” He slapped his wallet down ontothe ticket seller’s counter. “Two for the six-thirty show,” he said.
    â€œOh!” Gaia shouted suddenly, as if she’d just had an incredibly random thought.
    Skyler glanced at her warily. “What now?” he asked. His voice was light, but he did seem increasingly impatient.
    â€œI, uh, really wanted some candy.”
    Skyler’s gaze turned from hesitant to incredulous. “Well, good thing you’re in the
movie theater,”
he said slowly, “because I think they’re equipped to handle your concession needs.”
    Gaia tilted her head to one side and stuck out her lower lip. “Come on. This is Film Forum. It’s not like the local multiplex. They’re not going to have any of the really good junky stuff. I think they only have muffins and croissants. Ten-dollar croissants,” she added.
    â€œWell, if you want a ten-dollar croissant, Gaia, that’s fine. I mean, I have the cash. Not a big deal.” Gaia had been sure this last little display would trigger at least a tiny crack in Skyler’s composure. But no such luck.
    â€œYou’re getting robbed blind here today,” Gaia protested. “And I really have a sugar jones. I meant to stop off at a deli on the way here and pick up provisions, but I guess it slipped my mind.”
    â€œWeren’t you
just
saying that you weren’t hungrybecause you ate so much in the park?” Skyler pointed out in a sudden fit of rationalism.
    â€œWell, yeah, but it, uh, came on kinda quickly. Look,” Gaia wheedled, “I’ll just run across the street. You won’t even miss me.” She started toward the front door of the theater, aware that their little “lovers’ spat” was drawing some local interest. As she passed by Skyler, she stomped on his foot “accidentally” for good measure. “Oops, sorry.” She giggled.
    â€œGaia!” Skyler called after her, but the door was already swinging shut behind her.
    â€œI’ll get you some Maltesers,” Gaia called over her shoulder. She had no idea how he even felt about Maltesers, and she was pretty sure he couldn’t have cared less about them at the present time.
    THREE HOURS, ONE TUB OF ARTIFICIAL-butter-flavored popcorn, one large Coke, and a bag of M&M’s later, Gaia and Skyler