To read more of Kali’s story click here: Part 1 & Part 2
Settling down on the large overstuffed sofa, Kali couldn’t decide whether to smile or scowl over toward the kitchen where she could hear Dillon moving around. With a sigh, she pulled the thick blanket onto her. With only the lamp next to her, the small living room felt cozy and almost romantic. Her mom and Mrs Anders had definitely done their research to find a cabin where they wouldn’t be able to avoid each other. They’d even managed to manipulate their transportation so that neither of them could leave before the weekend was over.
Kali cleared her throat and shifted the blanket once again.
“When was the last time you snuggled up to watch a movie?” Dillon entered the room with a large tray laden down with two small cups that were almost the size of shot glasses and a porcelain gravy boat filled to the brim with liquid chocolate. At her raised eyebrow he shrugged. “It was all I could find. Well, it was this or mugs the size of soup bowls.”
With a nod, Kali moved the blanket covering her feet to show him where he was going to sit. “That’s fine. I’ve missed your chocolate.”
He set the tray on the empty coffee table and plopped down almost on top of her. The weight of him forced out a little oof before she slugged him.
“What was that for?” She moaned.
He moved off her and laid his arm around her shoulders, settling in next to her. “Encouragement.”
“Encouragement for what?” Her bafflement was apparent. “To pummel you and call off the deal?”
“No.” He squeezed her shoulder as he turned on the tv. “You never answered my question. And before you have a chance to avoid it, our deal has officially started and I will be counting any kisses from here on out.”
“You agreed to a friend movie night with no kissing, Dillon Anders.”
He shrugged, nudging his shoulder against hers. “One, the movie hasn’t started yet. And two, I have all weekend. Answer the question.”
“You never could bear to lose at anything. Now, what question are you going on about? If I wanted a toe curling kiss?” Kali scoffed even as she blushed. “This is not the way to convince me otherwise. Besides, I thought I answered that question very clearly when I said no kissing.”
Dillon propped himself up on his elbow, placing his sly happy grin closer to her face. He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t talking about kissing, Kali. You brought that up. And this no kissing deal of yours only lasts until the movie ends and then its game on in the kissing department.”
Kali wanted to move back but her stubbornness wouldn’t let her retreat, so she rolled her eyes instead. “I’ll be sure to push the dresser in front of my door.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her until she burst out laughing, which resulted in an all-out tickle fight that lasted through the opening previews and credits.
Finally he pinned her arms to her sides with a wide grin. “Now, you will answer the question.”
“What question?” She couldn’t stop laughing.
“When was the last time you snuggled and watched a movie?”
Her laugh quieted then stopped. “Maybe I was avoiding that question.”
“Which makes me all the more curious about the answer. You know how nosy I can be.” He pulled her into his chest and leaned back into the couch. “Did you have a bad experience? Bad memory? Or was it a dating tradition with one of your exes and that’s why you’re avoiding it? I’m not like our moms, I don’t mind if you tell me about other guys.” He winked.
“Let’s just watch the movie.” She pleaded softly, training her eyes on the tv.
“Kali.” Dillon softly tugged her chin to have her look up at him.
With a slow sigh she let him guide her gaze up. “It’s just been a while.”
“A while?”
“Yes.”
“If I told you how long it’s been for me, would you do the same?” He whispered, glancing over at where the movie was playing.
Kali nodded.
His eyes locked on hers. “I haven’t snuggled and watched a movie with a girl since our last movie night when we fell asleep.”
“At all?” Kali shook her head. “I distinctly remember my mom going on and on about that one girl, Jamie I think, and how she was stealing you away from me because she would let you kiss her while you watched movies. I never heard the end of it.”
“Jamie?”
“Yes. Jamie. She lived down the street.”
Dillon chuckled. “I remember who Jamie is. I just never dated her. My mom invited her over for dinner a few times my sophomore year but that girl got on my nerves. I don’t even want to talk about her.”
With a small gulp, Kali peered up into Dillon’s face. “You really haven’t done this with anyone else?”
He shook his head slowly, his warm gaze never leaving hers. “It was our thing. And I couldn’t have our last movie night be waking up to my mom taking pictures while both our moms went on and on about cute grandbabies and a spring wedding as soon as we graduated.”
“I remember. I woke up and screamed at them that it was never going to happen.” With a gulp, Kali nodded at the tv. “We were watching this same movie. Do you carry this movie around just in case I might be around to finish watching it with you?”
“Kali, you didn’t even look back when you stormed out of the room. That night, I lost my best friend.”
Sitting up straight, Kali shook head. “I had to. You understand that, right? I wanted to live, date, make mistakes, fall in love, break hearts, go to college, all of it. My mom had me married off and making babies before I had ever had a boyfriend.”
Dillon pulled her back into him, hugging her tight and settling back into the couch, holding her like he always had during all their movie nights in high school. “I understand. And a part of me did then too. It just hurt. I’ve missed you.”
Kali sniffed, trying to hide the lone tear snaking its way down her face. “I’ve missed you too. I just hate being told what to do.”
“I know.”
Halfway through the movie Dillon whispered into her ear as she was fading towards sleep. “I’m going to kiss you Kali Richards, until you can’t think of anyone but me. 200 times and more.”
Come back next week for a new story!
