Dont Kiss Her

You look at Mia for another second.

She’s standing close to you, but she doesn’t move any closer. Her eyes stay on yours as the silence hangs between you.

For a second, you think about kissing her.

You don’t.

Instead, you smile.

Mia’s lips slowly curve into a smile of her own.

“What?” Mia asks.

“Nothing,” you reply. “I just had a good time tonight.”

“Yeah?” Mia asks.

“Yeah,” you reply. “I’m glad I came back.”

Mia smiles. “I’m glad you came back too,” she says.

“You were sad when I left,” you say.

“Oh my God,” Mia says with a laugh. “You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

“Probably not,” you reply.

“I said a little sad,” Mia says.

“Still counts,” you reply.

Mia shakes her head, but she’s still smiling.

“I had fun too,” Mia says. “I honestly didn’t expect to be standing in a parking lot talking to you for this long.”

“Neither did I,” you reply. “I came back because I thought you were hot and I wanted your number.”

“At least you’re honest,” Mia says.

“But I’m glad I stayed and actually got to know you,” you add.

Mia’s teasing expression softens.

“That’s sweet,” Mia says.

“And I got a date out of it,” you say.

“You did,” Mia replies. “Assuming you don’t fuck it up before then.”

“I’ll do my best,” you say.

Mia laughs before checking the time on her phone.

“I really should get going,” Mia says. “It’s fucking late.”

“Yeah,” you reply. “We’ve been out here for a while.”

“I’ll check my schedule tomorrow and text you,” Mia says. “Then we can figure out when we’re going out.”

“Sounds good,” you reply.

Mia slips her phone back into her jacket pocket. For a second, neither of you moves. You’re still standing close enough that kissing her would be easy, and the thought crosses your mind again.

But you don’t.

There’s no reason to rush it.

You already have another chance to see her.

“Well, goodnight, John,” Mia says.

“Goodnight, Mia,” you reply.

Mia looks at you for another second before stepping closer. This time, instead of leaving any room for you to wonder what she means, she opens her arms and leans into you.

You wrap your arms around her and hug her back. Her oversized denim jacket is cool from the night air, but you can feel the warmth of her through it when she presses against you. One of her arms wraps around your side while the other reaches higher across your back, bringing her close enough that her hair brushes against your cheek. You catch the faint smell of her perfume again, mixed with the lingering smell of the bar on her clothes.

It isn’t one of those quick, awkward hugs you give someone you barely know. Mia stays there for a few seconds, comfortably holding onto you, and you do the same. After everything that happened tonight, it feels surprisingly natural.

When she finally starts to pull away, her hands linger against your sides for another second before she steps back. She looks up at you with a small smile.

“I really did have fun tonight,” Mia says.

“Me too,” you reply.

“Good,” Mia says. “Then I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting,” you say.

“Don’t make it weird,” Mia replies with a laugh.

Mia shakes her head, still smiling, and starts toward her car.

“Drive safe,” you say.

“You too,” Mia replies. “Seriously.”

“I will,” you say.

Mia gets a few steps away before slowing down and looking back over her shoulder.

“Were you staring at my ass again?” Mia asks.

You look back up at her face. “Yeah,” you admit.

Mia grins. “I knew it,” she says.

Before you can answer, Mia turns a little more to the side and slides one hand over the back of her distressed black shorts, giving her ass a playful squeeze before letting go.

“Figured I’d give you one last look,” Mia says.

You laugh. “Very generous of you,” you reply.

“I know,” Mia says with a grin. “Goodnight, John.”

“Goodnight, Mia,” you reply.

She turns around again and continues across the mostly empty parking lot, and you head around to the driver’s side of your truck.

By the time you climb inside, Mia has reached her car. You start the engine while she gets in and does the same.

For a moment, both vehicles sit there idling.

Then Mia backs out first.

She drives past your truck on her way toward the exit and gives you a small wave through her window.

You lift your hand back.

A few seconds later, her taillights disappear onto the street.

You pull out after her, turning the opposite direction toward home.

When you walked back into the bar tonight, you mostly wanted the hot bartender’s number.

Instead, you actually got to know Mia.

And now you have a date with her.