Zoe

Zoe and Cash enjoy breakfast and a day out at the movies.

Cash peered through his half opened eyes, through his lashes and saw her; bright-eyed, smiling big, staring at him. Cash closed his eyes and in a half groan asked, “Was I drooling or was I snoring?”

“Both,” she replied as she wiped the side of his mouth with her finger’s middle knuckle. Zoe always had trouble sleeping after a night of drinking.

“How are you up?” Cash wondered aloud, “I might not ever get used to it.”

“How are YOU still asleep?” Zoe asked as she hopped out of the bed and pranced to the living room.

“God, I love when she wears those shorts,” Cash said to himself. “Fine. I’m up!” he called out. After getting out of bed he trudged to the bathroom, not closing the door behind him. “Are you making breakfast?” he asked, still projecting his voice.

Zoe waited for him to make his way to the living room before sheepishly replying, “We’re out of cereal.”

Cash unsuccessfully hid a grin, “One of these days you’re going to learn how to cook.”On the counter, Zoe had laid out eggs, shredded cheese and a package of bacon waiting to be prepared.  Zoe also paired her phone with the speaker in the kitchen. Something Tells Me by Bryson Tiller played.

“But how else would I justify keeping you around?” Zoe joked and began scuffling towards him.

“Nope. No kisses. How would you justify it?” Cash asked while extending his arms to keep her at a distance.

“Come here, dummy,” she said, and by then had grabbed his wrists and spread his arms to get close enough for a kiss that she had to be on the tip of her toes for.

“Now make me breakfast.” Zoe patted Cash on the butt and began clearing the table.

“Your phone kept buzzing in the middle of the night. Drove me nuts!” Zoe complained.

“Probably just the fellas in the group message. So what are we doing today?” Cash asked without looking up from the frying pan.

Zoe replied, “Do you want coffee? And we’re going to the movies! Remember?”

Cash look upward in thought, “Yes to the coffee. Oh yeah! What’s it called again?”

“Well...”, Zoe began, “Seeing as I’ve been telling you about the movie for months, you have two options; remember the name of it on your own OR just wait until we waltz up to the counter and I say, ‘Two for Blankety Blank please.’ ”

Cash turned to Zoe and crossed his eyes while curling his lip upward,“Whatever, loser. I’m going to nap while you’re getting ready,” he shrugged.

“Two for Call Me By Your Name, please,” Zoe glared at Cash as she handed the money to the girl at the counter.

“Enjoy your movie!” the girl said cheerfully. Zoe thanked the girl as her and Cash made their way into the building.

“I always have to actively stop myself from saying, ‘You too!’ when they tell me to enjoy the movie. It’s funny, people appreciate politeness even if it derives purely out of habit. Anyways, here’s a twenty and your ticket. Get popcorn and whatever you want. The previews should be starting, but it’s an early showing so there shouldn’t be many people. I’m going to the bathroom, get us some seats, yeah?” They kissed and she was off.

             Zoe stepped into the theater and squinted, her eyes adjusting to the darkness as she scanned the seats, looking for Cash. She finally saw Cash waving her down from the row highest up. She made her way over to him and sat down.

“Why do you have that dopey grin on your face?” she asked in a whisper.

“I don’t,” Cash whispered back.

“Are you sure we’re far enough back? We might accidentally see the movie from here.“

Over the course of their relationship Cash had mastered ignoring Zoe’s wisecracks, “Here, I got us a big water, popcorn, and Butterfinger bites for you.” Zoe responded by playfully pinching his cheek. She grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bag in Cash’s lap and began eating them a few at a time.

“No butter?” she asked. Cash shook his head, Zoe shrugged and continued munching. After a few handfuls Zoe found herself going more towards the bottom, searching for bigger pieces and it was then that she felt it. Somewhat horrified, she turned to Cash and instantly realized why he’d had the goofy grin the entire time.

“Cassius Toby!” she hissed, “Is THIS why you didn’t get the butter?” she asked more annoyed than amused, but still keeping it to a whisper. Cash choked back a laugh. She dusted off her hands over the bag and crossed her arms, ignoring Cash and trying her best to appear upset. After a while she caught him trying to adjust and zip up, but she stopped him, “Oh no. You stay like that until the movie is over,” she smirked, grabbed a handful of popcorn and sat back in her seat. The movie ended and as they were walking to the car Zoe broke the silence, “Soo... what do you have to say for yourself?”

“Aww c’mon, babe. You’re always telling me you want me to be more spontaneous!” Cash argued.

“OH and popcorn dick is what you came up with,” Zoe shot back with both thumbs up, wielding a transparently fake smile. Once they were in the car she turned to him, “It just caught me off guard more than anything. Also, that’s s**t you should be pulling in a new Adam Sandler movie! NOT something I actually want to see” They kissed, Zoe grabbed him in flirtatious fashion and put the car in gear.