Ready as you’ll ever be

“One second,” you call out to Andi as you make sure the towel is secure around your waist before you dart over to get some clothes on. A small laugh causes you to turn around quickly.

Andi’s devious smile is back as she stands in the open doorway, wearing a tank top and her pajama pants and carrying a large duffel bag. “Don’t know why you have to hide after showing everything off last night, John.”

You try to say something clever, but as she walks into the room, you notice Sarah is behind her carrying a large bowl of popcorn. “I don’t know. I don’t want to know. I’m just helping her carry stuff in.” With that Sarah carefully places the bowl on the bed, then walks out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Andi chuckles as you turn several shades of crimson. Without another word, she sets the duffel bag on the floor and opens it, taking out two large bottled waters and a DVD. Waiting until her back is turned to put in the DVD, you quickly grab a t-shirt, boxers, and shorts, slipping them on just before she turns out the lights. She plops onto the bed, causing some of the popcorn to bounce out of the bowl. “Get over here, silly!”

You sit down on the bed beside Andi as she picks up a remote. Soon, the opening credits for “Plan 9 From Outer Space” begins. “Oh my god,” you playfully groan. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Stop groaning and help me make fun of the movie,” Andi jokingly orders as she throws a handful of popcorn at you. Batting the popcorn away, you smile at her and kiss her cheek.

At first the two of you crack vicious jokes about the acting and costumes. But as the movie progresses, you find the two of you are talking less and less. By the time the credits are rolling, Andi has the bowl of popcorn in her lap and her head resting on your shoulder. Your right arm is wrapped loosely around her, your left hand occasionally brushing her hand as you grab some popcorn.

“It’s never gonna be quite the same, is it?” Andi comments softly.

“What’s that?”

“After last night. I’m sorry…”

Andi starts to get up but you hold her. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry. I just needed to see if we could still joke and play and have fun like we used to. But now, all I can think about is the way your skin felt as you wrapped yourself around me last night. And I want more, John. God help me, I want more.”

With deliberate caution you turn so your eyes meet Andi’s. “Andi, it’s okay. I understand. I feel the same way.”

Her eyes half close as she whispers. “Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time.”

With a fierceness that surprises even you, you quickly gather Andi into your arms and kiss her. The popcorn bowl falls to the floor as your lips caress first with vicious hunger, then with tender apologies.