The Rom-Commers

by Katherine Center

“Did you hear the other thing I said up there, too?” “What other thing?” “The part about how I’m in love with you.” “That does sound familiar.” “Is that okay?” I nodded. “It’s okay.” Then I added, “Better than okay, in fact. Because now we’re even.” At that, Charlie put both of his hands in his pockets. I looked down at one, then the other, then back up. “Are you Ji Chang Wook–ing me right now?” “I don’t know who that is.” “The guy in the turtleneck. Who perfected the pockets kiss.” Charlie smiled in that way that made his nostrils dimple. “Then I guess I must be.” “Did I ever tell you,” I said then before I could stop myself, “that I really love your nostrils?” Oh, god. It had to happen, I guess. A Chekhov’s gun moment: You can’t forbid yourself from mentioning someone’s nostrils in Act One without finally doing it by Act Three. Or wait. Maybe this was Act One—and we were only just getting started? As if to answer, Charlie stepped closer, hands still in his pockets like a champion, and completely closed the gap between us—pressing his thighs to my thighs, and his chest to my chest. Then he tilted his head until his mouth was just breaths away from mine. “How’s my angle?” he asked, like he really wanted to know. “You’re a remarkable student,” I said. “Are you kidding me?” Charlie said. “I’m the best.” And then he pressed his mouth to mine, and as he did, he slid his hands out of his pockets so they could skim around my waist to hold me right there. Not that I was trying to...