I don’t know why I’m nervous. There’s no reason for me to be anxious. Even if this is a date, I’ve been on dates before. I’ve kissed girls at parties. Why should this be any different?
“You’re cute, you know that, Fletch?” I gulp as she takes another step toward me, her chest brushing against mine as she pushes up on her tiptoes. “Would it be okay if I kissed you? If not, I understand.” She drops back down, her heels hitting the ground. “If I read into tonight and this is just two people from high school catching up, I’ll understand.”
“I, uh—”
“You don’t have to let me down easy, Fletcher. I’m a big girl.” She pats my chest, a teasing smile on her face, and I don’t know what comes over me. I don’t know if it’s because tonight has actually been really fun when I thought it was going to be a really weird hangout with just the two of us.
Or if I’m trying to prove to myself that Tate and I are in the past… even though there technically never was a Tate and me.
But I kiss her.
I kiss her long and hard and savor every second of it.
I pull back, studying Casey’s face, even though I know a kiss is exactly what she was searching for. Her eyebrows rise as she bites her bottom lip.
“That was even better than I thought it would be.”
“Really?” I cup her head between my hands, my thumb grazing over her cheek. “Because I think I can do better.”
“Hmm, I don’t think I believe you.” She challenges.
Her arms wrap around my neck as I lean down, pulling her face toward me, and kiss her again. Her fingers twist in the hair at the nape of my neck as I pull her closer to me, turning our bodies so she’s pressed up against her car.
Her lips are soft against mine, and even though it’s fucking cold outside, every part of my body is on fire, and when her lips slightly part, I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss. My hands leave her face and travel to her waist, brushing against the sliver of bare skin her jacket is leaving exposed.
I slowly break away from the kiss, giving her one last gentle peck as I do.
“That,” her breathing is ragged, and her cheeks are flushed, and I don’t think it’s from the cold weather, “was better.”
I laugh, my chest rising and falling at a rapid pace. I can’t remember the last time I kissed someone like that. I guess kissing feels different when you expect to see them again after. When you expect this to become more than just a party kiss.
“So, what now?” It’s a stupid question. I don’t want her to think I expect us to go to the courthouse and get married, and the question makes it seem like just that.
“I mean, we live in different states, so I don’t know if we want to start this off as a long-distance thing. If that’s even what you mean.” She steps back, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not expecting you to be my boyfriend or anything after one kiss.”
“Right, I know, sorry, I just—”
“I get it.” She chuckles.
“We, um, my hockey team, we have this tournament type thing, um, The Great Lakes Invitation, it’s in Michigan, I know it’s a drive, but…”
“Are you asking me to come to one of your games?” Her eyes light up ever so slightly.
“Kind of. Just the last game of the invitation. It’s really the only game that I’ll have some time available after to hang out and focus on something other than hockey.”
She licks her lips, trying to hide her smile, “I’d like that.”
“Me too.”
I’m sorry, you went on a date with a girl?” Becca’s eyes widen, her jaw falling open slightly.
“Could you maybe not scream? Most of my family is asleep.”
Even though that’s true, the chances of them hearing us talking are slim to none. I’m hiding in the only finished room in the basement, which is the office.
“Fletcher Reed, you’re an idiot.”
“Why?”
