Page 103 of Love at First Rep

“I’m joking, I’m joking. You’re too hot to be Lisa Simpson.”

Garrett scoffed. They both continued eating, waiting for inspiration to strike.

“I could be Moon or Moony for Sailor Moon,” Garrett suggested. “’Cause we were sailors?”

“Meh, that’s a stretch. She’s too chaotic for you,” Rafe said, then sat up straight with the best idea. “Buttercup!”

With furrowed brows, Garrett asked, “Who’s that?”

“The princess in The Princess Bride! Not only is she blonde and beautiful, but she falls in love with a man who is presumed dead, and it takes years for him to finally fight his way back to her…” Rafe trailed off as he realized how bad this suggestion was. “Strike that, that one is too on the nose.”

Rafe slumped against the windshield.

“Ya think?” Garrett deadpanned.

They stared at each other before dissolving into laughter together. He was so happy they could laugh about everything.

“I had no idea I had so much in common with her,” Garrett said. “I do love Cary Elwes. Us blond men need to stick together. We should watch one of his movies.”

“As you wish,” Rafe said with a smile on his face. Garrett shot him a smirk before digging into his Frosty. “There’s gotta be someone else who’s blonde and kicks ass like you— I got it!”

Rafe sprung forward, triumph running through his veins. Garrett appeared amused, waiting to hear his suggestion.

“I know someone who’s blonde, hot, kicks ass and protects the world from evil!”

Garrett leaned forward, waiting for Rafe to share his idea, but Rafe wanted to soak in the anticipation.

“Who?” Garrett shouted when he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Buffy! She’s the ultimate badass.”

A smile grew on Garrett’s face. “Ha! She even married a Hispanic man.”

Rafe’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember that from the show.”

Garrett shook his head. “I mean in real life. Sarah Michelle Gellar married Freddie Prinze Jr.”

Rafe’s excited grin softened. “Sounds like you need to marry me for the nickname to work.”

He couldn’t hold back his laughter as Garrett’s jaw dropped. He blinked a few times before barking out a laugh.

“We’ll do that,” Garrett finally said. “One day. It is only our first date, after all. It’s too bad we didn’t have onion rings for you to make it official.”

Rafe leaned forward to kiss Garrett, his mouth cold with the taste of chocolate on his tongue. He decided to let Garrett think he was only joking, but he knew, without a doubt, that one day he’d marry Garrett Pearson. That was the plan since his teens, and he didn’t intend on ever changing it.

They finished their meal and balled up the trash before walking it to a nearby trash can together. As they made their way back to the car, Garrett asked, “Are we heading home now?”

Rafe stopped and squared himself to Garrett. “Are you kidding? That was just the first part.”

Something about Garrett’s smile fueled Rafe. He couldn’t wait to see it every day.

“My mistake,” Garrett said with a laugh. “What’s next?”

“I was thinking the aquarium. While we watch all the fish, we can catch up on each other’s lives. How’s that sound?”

Garrett smiled softly and grabbed Rafe’s hand as they walked back to the car.

“Sounds perfect to me. You know they have hippos?”