The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 474

The theater lights dimmed, and the opening credits of the horror movie began to play.

Eerie music swelled from all sides, and the first shot revealed an old, vine-covered manor looming through a thunderstorm.

Sloane sat in the couples' seating area holding a bucket of popcorn. There was about a fist's width of space between her and Josh, both sitting as upright as if they were attending an academic conference.

Suddenly, a pale, gruesome face flashed onto the screen, accompanied by a blood-curdling scream.

Sloane jumped, nearly launching the popcorn out of her hands. She instinctively shimmied closer to Josh, her shoulder brushing against his arm. Josh's reaction was textbook perfect—he didn't look smug or laugh. He simply raised his right arm smoothly behind her back, pulling her closer to his side.

His movement was delicate, as if terrified of startling a bird that might fly away at any moment, but once his strong arm settled over her shoulder, it didn't move. His thumb gently stroked her shoulder blade.

"Don't be scared, Sloane. I'm right here."

He lowered his head, his voice a deep whisper, his lips practically brushing against the crown of her hair. His warm breath ruffled her hair, sending a tingling, comforting warmth down her spine that made her entirely melt against him.

She didn't pull away.

Instead, she snuggled even closer.

Another barrage of terrifying jump scares exploded across the screen, and the audience gasped in unison.

Sloane simply dumped the popcorn bucket onto Josh's lap and curled up into his arms. She buried her face against his chest, leaving only her eyes peeking out to nervously watch the screen. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly against the collar of his sweater.

Looking down at the woman curled up in his arms like a frightened kitten, Josh's heart melted completely. He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The kiss was fleeting and soft, like a snowflake landing on warm skin, vanishing instantly but leaving a searing trail of heat behind.

"Be good. It's okay."

"Let's go, Sloane. I'll walk you home."

Sloane didn't refuse.

They had walked the route from the theater to Emerald Grove so many times they could do it with their eyes closed.

Soon, they arrived at her apartment building. Josh stopped at the entrance, as was his custom. He usually dropped her off here and never went upstairs.

"We're here."

Josh handed her bag back to her. "Get some rest, Sloane."

Sloane took the bag but didn't immediately turn away. Her fingers traced the fabric of the bag before she looked up at him.