The hostess returned moments later with plates stacked high with food and a tray of heart- and lip-shaped treats.
"Here you go, lovebirds. Enjoy!"
The twins dug in immediately, tossing him sweets and feeding each other bites between laughs.
"This is amazing," Evelyn said between chews.
"Mmhmm," Everly mumbled, already licking frosting off her finger.
Ethan leaned back in the booth, watching them enjoy the moment, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The whole thing was ridiculous.
Silly.
Over-the-top.
And yet...
It was kind of perfect.
He didn’t feel embarrassed anymore. Just full—of food, warmth, and something else he wasn’t quite ready to name.
After the meal, the three of them strolled through the mall one last time before heading toward the movie theater.
The night had taken on a more relaxed pace. No more rushing between stores or loud teasing. Just quiet conversations, warm lights, and the comfortable rhythm of walking side by side.
Ethan walked in the middle, Evelyn holding his arm on one side, Everly on the other. Every now and then, they’d bump into him playfully or lean against his shoulder as they pointed out stores they used to like to come to as kids when they came here with their parents.
As they passed by a photo booth, Everly tugged his sleeve.
"Let’s take pictures."
"Really?" Ethan asked.
"Come on," Everly said, tugging Ethan toward the booth. "We’ve already done a couple’s quiz. Might as well seal it with pictures."
Evelyn rolled her eyes with a grin, fixing her hair using the booth’s reflection. "Just make sure you’re in the middle. You’re not getting out of this one."
Ethan chuckled. "Middle seat, huh? Figures."
He stepped in first, sliding into the center. Everly settled in on his left, Evelyn on his right.
It was a tight fit.
Their thighs pressed against his, shoulders touching. Warmth and closeness filled the tiny booth.
The screen lit up with a soft beep, starting the countdown.
Three.
Two.
One.
Flash.
The first picture caught Evelyn sticking out her tongue while Everly blew a kiss at the camera.
Second flash.
Ethan grinned and wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling them in until they were snug against his sides.
Evelyn leaned into him with a smirk, and Everly rested her head on his shoulder, both smiling wide.
Third flash.
All three smiled together, relaxed and close, the kind of smile that came naturally after a good day.
Final flash.
Just before the camera clicked, Evelyn and Everly leaned in from both sides and kissed his cheeks at the same time.
Ethan’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as both girls kissed his cheeks—and just like that, the shutter snapped.
They stepped out of the booth laughing, the warmth of the moment still lingering between them.
The photo strip slid out with a soft whir.
Everly grabbed it immediately. "Okay, that last one? Totally my favorite."
Ethan leaned in, still rubbing his cheek with a crooked smile. "You two definitely planned that."
"We did," Evelyn said proudly. "And it worked."
Everly held the strip up. "We look amazing."
Ethan glanced at it and gave a small nod. "Yeah... not bad at all."
Before he could ask for a copy, Evelyn snatched it and tucked it into her phone case without missing a beat.
"No fair," Ethan said, raising an eyebrow.
"Too slow," she replied with a smirk, already walking off like nothing happened.
Eventually, they reached the movie theater entrance. The neon signs above flashed titles across the screen. Romance, action, comedy, and horror—one for every mood.
Everly pointed at a horror flick with a dramatic title and a ridiculous-looking monster. "Let’s watch that one."
Ethan raised a brow. "You just want an excuse to jump on me."
"Exactly," she said, no shame in her voice.
Evelyn pointed to a romantic comedy beside it. "Or this one. Might make us cry and laugh."
"Let’s vote," Ethan said. "Scary or sappy?"
"Scary," Everly answered right away.
Evelyn tilted her head, then smiled. "Scary. But only if we sit in the back row."
Ethan blinked. "Back row?"
"More space," she said innocently.
He didn’t buy the look she gave him but shrugged. "Alright. Scary it is."
With that, they purchased the tickets, bought some popcorn and drinks, and, minutes later, slipped into the dark theater.
The room wasn’t crowded—maybe ten other people scattered across the seats.
As promised, they took the back row.
Ethan sat in the middle again, flanked by the twins. Popcorn in one hand, drink in the other, he settled in as the previews rolled.
The movie started off slowly. A creepy house, bad decisions, too much dramatic music.
The usual.
But about fifteen minutes in, the tone of the movie took a weird turn.
Instead of scary scenes or serious horror vibes, a guy with ghost makeup slipped on a banana peel and knocked himself out running from a haunted toaster.
Everly blinked. "Wait... what?"
Ethan leaned back in his seat, already smiling.
Then came the next scene—two possessed dolls arguing over who got to haunt the attic first, complete with dramatic music and soap opera sound effects.
Evelyn squinted at the screen. "Is this... supposed to be scary?"
Ethan chuckled. "I don’t think so."
A ghost popped out of the floorboards with jazz hands and a top hat.
Everly gasped. "Oh my god."
But instead of grabbing Ethan out of fear, she burst out laughing. "I thought this was a real horror movie!"
"It had a skull on the poster!" Evelyn whispered, clearly confused and slightly betrayed.
Ethan grinned. "Pretty sure that skull was winking."
Despite their initial expectations, the three of them slowly gave in to the ridiculousness. The jokes were bad, the acting was worse, and every "scare" ended in something absurd.
Halfway through, Everly had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. "This is so stupid."
"But I can’t look away," Evelyn admitted, resting her head on Ethan’s shoulder. "It’s like watching a haunted train wreck."
Ethan smirked. "You two sure you picked the right movie?"
"No," Everly said between giggles. "But I’m glad we did."