These were the words Ron had always dreamed of hearing coming out of Kylee’s mouth. The problem was, he was having a hard time listening because he was so focused on the shine of her glossed lips.
“I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t. I’ve already told you; I’ll kidnap you.”
She tossed her head back and laughed, giving Ron the perfect view of her collarbones again.
"You're so funny," she said. "I forgot how nice it is just to hang out with you. And –"
"Ky?”
"Yes, Ron?"
“I’m going to kiss you."
He watched her response carefully. She didn’t pull away from him. She didn’t stand and demand he leave. She didn’t shove him into the friend zone. Instead, she nodded.
"I suspected it might come to this,” she said.
“You did?”
“Yes, there’s something…” She waved her hands between their chests. “… between us.”
“Yes,” Ron grinned. “There is.”
“So, I came prepared. I brushed my teeth and put on lip gloss.”
“That was very considerate of you, Ace. I had gum on the way over."
“Smart,” she nodded approvingly. “Because you had onions in your tacos? I flossed, too.”
“Wow. You are way more prepared than me.”
She made a tsking sound with her tongue. “I always was.”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“Yeah,” she parroted.
They were sitting just inches away from each other. The dream-Ron would’ve had her in his arms by now. The real-Ron was so focused on how to begin.
Should he reach for her? With which arm? His right arm which was on the back of the couch? Or maybe his left arm? But that would box her in, and he didn’t want her to feel trapped. He wanted her to want him.
He decided to just go for it and leaned in.
Kylee blinked, as though she were coming to the realization that this was really about to happen. She took a deep breath and leaned in as well.
Within a half inch of her lips, Ron pulled back. “Isn’t this strange?”
“Totally,” she agreed, straightening to an upright position. “I mean it’s me and you. Kylee and Ron. We’re best friends and we’re about to kiss. Who would have seen this coming?”
“Me. I saw it coming.”
“Really?”
Ron nodded. “I’ve been dreaming about this for years.”
“Years?”