Xavier slipped into the darkened theater, navigating the narrow aisle as the movie's opening credits played across the screen. The five women had claimed a row in the middle section, with an empty seat between Selena and Naomi. Popcorn buckets and candy boxes were already being passed around as he approached.
"You're late," Selena whispered as she shifted her legs to let him pass.
Xavier eased into the seat, offering an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Got lost on the road of life. That's all." He reached for the popcorn in Naomi's lap. "Now pass the popcorn."
Naomi handed over the bucket, her perfectly manicured nails brushing against his fingers. "The road of life, huh?"
On his other side, Selena studied him. Unlike Naomi's obvious interest, her gaze felt clinical, assessing.
"Shh," Margaret leaned forward from Selena's other side. "It's starting!"