Page 166 of In at the Deep End

Whatever Owen was thinking, whatever little adjustment he was making, they were still here, together.

That was what mattered.

At least, that was what Matt told himself.

By the time the film started, the coffee had disappeared and Matt had claimed the bowl of popcorn.

Owen glanced at it. “You know that’s supposed to be shared.”

“I am sharing.”

“With yourself?”

Matt grinned. “Exactly.”

Owen shook his head, but he was smiling as he settled into the other end of the sofa. Matt looked at the distance between them.

Too far away.

Matt stretched his legs out. A few minutes later, his foot nudged Owen’s.

Neither moved.

He glanced across. Owen was watching the screen, apparently oblivious.

Matt left his foot where it was.

It was ridiculous how much he liked this. No great conversation, no plans, no need to fill the silence. Just the two of them watching a film they’d both seen often enough that they could recite half the dialogue.

Matt whispered the next line before the actor said it.

Owen turned towards him. “We’ve talked about this.”

Matt fired back an innocent glance. “You knew what you were getting.”

“I clearly didn’t.”

Matt’s only response was a grin.

When the next scene began, Owen reached for the popcorn at the same moment Matt did, and their fingers collided.

Matt laughed. “You’re stealing my popcorn.”

“It’s mine.”

“I brought it.”

“I bought it.”

“You did not.”

Owen seemed thoughtful. “Then perhaps we should settle this like adults.”

Matt narrowed his eyes. “How?”

Owen leaned towards him, and for one delicious second, Matt thought he was going to kiss him.

Instead, Owen plucked a piece of popcorn from between Matt’s fingers. “Victory.”