Closer (Part V)

“So, are you guys finally going out yet, or you’re still working on that?” asked a friend. They both smiled and replied, “Working on it.” He gave her hand a squeeze and she responded by running a finger up and down his inner arm. Scandalous. They excused themselves and walked towards the drinks and sat in the plastic chairs all around the tables. She looked him over in his white tee and blue button-up, baggy faded jeans and white shoes. He wore the same thing almost every time they went out together. She did too, but it was beside the point. He looked off into the crowd of people and she kept staring. She hoped she wasn’t drooling. She looked over at the drinks on the table and poured a large glass of Coca-Cola for both of them.
“Thanks,” he said off-handedly and took a large sip. “Ah, a non-alcoholic drink. I didn’t think you could serve something of the sort,” he teased smiling at her again. She smacked him lightly on his knee and reached for another cigarette.
“So, how are you doing?” she asked placing her right hand on his knee. She was left handed, so she smoked with the other hand. He sat for a moment then leaned back in his chair before replying, “Pretty tipsy, how about you?” She nodded and giggled before taking another long drag. She looked up as she was blowing out the smoke to see a friend of hers reaching over to get a drink.
“Could I take a seat with you guys?” he asked. She nodded slowly and stood up and offered her chair. She looked over at him and tapped his hand which was resting on his knee. He looked up and moved it so she could sit. This was normal, and everyone was used to this. He put his hands on her knees and ran them up and down her legs and brought them back to her knees again where they rested. A single shiver ran up and down her spine.
“Bangin’ party, huh guys?” asked The Friend. She nodded.
“Yeah, totally…I’m so tipsy though, how are you doing?” she asked leaning back into his body.
“Whoo man, right about where you are with that,” replied The Friend.
“Amen!” she whooped leaning forward again to give The Friend a high-five. She fell back a little too quickly causing him to jerk in pain. She turned with an apologetic face. “I’m SO sorry,” she said giggling and wobbling her cigarette in unsteady fingers. He smiled and stroked her arm reassuringly and she snuggled deeper into him. He was so warm, so comfortable. Perfect. Inadvertently, she placed a hand on his and he proceeded to pull her fingers into his, interlocking them on his knee. Even better.